Blessed is the man who makes the LORD his trust, who does not turn to the proud, to those who go astray after a lie! You have multiplied, O LORD my God, your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us; none can compare with you! I will proclaim and tell of them, yet they are more than can be told.

How much clearer could it be, Lord, Your blessings are reserved for those who trust in You; they are not wasted on those whose trust is in the proud and purveyors of falsehoods. It is also clear that Your blessings are lavish and without limit. There is none more wondrous or more generous than You are towards Your people.

Today's readings in the Psalms:

Morning: Psalm 32

Mid-day: 119:49-56

Evening: Psalm 107

Voices Together is available as an annual daily devotional and can be purchased at the Fellowship Of Ailbe bookstore.

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. I waited patiently for the LORD; he inclined to me and heard my cry. He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure. He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the LORD.

Out of the miry bog, the Slough of Despond, onto the Rock of Salvation, a new song in my mouth, the Song of the Almighty, and clothed me in His righteousness. And others will be drawn to Him when the see the great transformation in me. Praise You, my Lord and Master.

 Today's readings in the Psalms:

Morning: Psalm 31

Mid-day: 119:41-48

Evening: Psalm 106

Voices Together is available as an annual daily devotional and can be purchased at the Fellowship Of Ailbe bookstore.

Your testimonies are my delight; they are my counselors.

How good is it to have a absolutely trustworthy guide to all of life's issues? To hear those precious words, "Thus saith the Lord."? This is better than fine wine, better than pure gold, this is treasure beyond valuation. This is the gift of the LORD to His people.

Even though princes sit plotting against me, your servant will meditate on your statutes.

This is a matter of focus, a determination to seek Your Kingdom and righteousness first in my life. I must be continuously pouring Your Word into me to provide that armor, that shield to protect me against the machinations of the Prince of Lies.

You rebuke the insolent, accursed ones, who wander from your commandments.

Your perfection demands that You not allow sin or evil in Your presence. It cannot be tolerated among those who claim to be committed to be Your disciples. Bring Your just discipline to bear against those who make the deliberate choice to disobey You.

 Take away from me scorn and contempt, for I have kept your testimonies.

Shield me, Lord, with the knowledge that all the world's contempt is as empty vapors, it cannot stand against the Almighty Power. Help me to yearn to hear that gentle Voice, "Well done, good and faithful servant."

I am a sojourner on the earth; hide not your commandments from me!

Continue to impress Your commandments upon me as I travel through this land. Let me not forget that "I'm just a passin' through... this land is not my own" It is Your Law that provides my sense of identity, that tells me who I am and who I owe my allegiance to. I am yours and yours alone.

My soul is consumed with longing for your rules at all times.

Why not? It is Your rules that give consistency to my life, that provide coherence and purpose. Why should I not be consumed with longing for the Word from the very One who lifted me out of sin and corruption?

Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law.

It is a gift from the Holy Spirit to open my eyes to the beauty of the Law, to be able to see that adherence to the Law leads to a life well lived in the righteousness, peace and joy of the Kingdom of Heaven. Before that revelation, the Law appeared as an onerous burden, just making me feel guilty about living thte way I wanted to live. Now, it lays out before me all the wondrous beauty and serenity of life lived according to the Word of God. Praise be to God.

Deal bountifully with your servant, that I may live and keep your word.

Interesting, Lord. It is your bounteous mercy that gives me life, that has provided for my salvation, that has given me the Comforter. My response must be one of grateful obedience. I am your willing servant.

Deal bountifully with your servant, that I may live and keep your word. Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law.  I am a sojourner on the earth; hide not your commandments from me! My soul is consumed with longing for your rules at all times. You rebuke the insolent, accursed ones, who wander from your commandments.  Take away from me scorn and contempt, for I have kept your testimonies. Even though princes sit plotting against me, your servant will meditate on your statutes. Your testimonies are my delight; they are my counselors.

Lord, You have been faithful in opening Your Word to me for many years; praise be to You for Your love for me. Thank You for leading me in the path of righteousness, peace and joy that is life in Your Kingdom. Continue, my Lord and Master, to open my heart to understand and to seek complete obedience to Your Law in all aspects of my life.

For I have become like a wineskin in the smoke, yet I have not forgotten your statutes.

This simile of a wineskin hanging in a flue, constantly surrounded by heat and sooty, gaseous fumes, subject to the deteriorating vapors, yet maintaining resiliency. How can that be; it should become brittle and lose its ability to contain the wine. Even so I, as I am buffeted by life, will lose my ability to respond in love and patience if I do not strive to keep your word written on my heart.

Today's readings in the Psalms:

Morning: Psalm 30

Mid-day: 119:33-40

Evening: Psalm 105

Voices Together is available as an annual daily devotional and can be purchased at the Fellowship Of Ailbe bookstore.

We love because he first loved us.

I cannot know true love, sacrificial love, until I experience Your love. God is love and proven by the Cross. Like the love of the Godhead, true sacrificial love must pour out from me to all whom I contact. Bless and guide Betty and I today as we seek to bring Your sacrificial love into a terrible situation, a marriage mired in hatred and about to bring disgrace to Your Name. Lord, that we will not take a single step today without the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Today's readings in the Psalms:

Morning: Psalm 29

Mid-day: 119:25-32

Evening: Psalm 104

Voices Together is available as an annual daily devotional and can be purchased at the Fellowship Of Ailbe bookstore.

By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.

You promised to send the Comforter to remind me of all You have said and to guide me into all truth. And You have fulfilled that promise. The Holy Spirit is always with me. But You continue to give me free will, to chose to obey or to be disobedient. This too is grace, You have not turned me into a robot but have given me a desire to live in obedience to You out of gratitude. I am a new man in You. Praise You, my Lord and my Master.

 Today's readings in the Psalms:

Morning: Psalm 28

Mid-day: 119:17-24

Evening: Psalm 103

Voices Together is available as an annual daily devotional and can be purchased at the Fellowship Of Ailbe bookstore.