All your commandments are sure; they persecute me with falsehood; help me!

I know (in my head) that Your commandments are sure and completely trustworthy; help me, Lord, to know that in my heart; it is my only protection against sin and error.

The insolent have dug pitfalls for me; they do not live according to your law.

The Evil One is a wily old fox, laying out all sorts of attractive temptations but each one covers a deadly pitfall. Help me, Lord, to recognize and jump over, step around, take another path—whatever it takes to keep on the King's Highway.

How long must your servant endure? When will you judge those who persecute me?

Lord, it appears that Your Church in this country is entering into a time of persecution. Will it stand for Truth and Justice or will it buckle. Lord, that we will stand firm for our faith, that the dross will be burned away and Your light will shine in the face of adversity.

My eyes long for your promise; I ask, "When will you comfort me?" For I have become like a wineskin in the smoke, yet I have not forgotten your statutes.

Sometimes I am toasty brittle, fried by the tests and challenges of the ministry, yet, Lord, as I continue in Your Word to seek Your face and to know You, I am comforted and refreshed. I know that Your comfort is from everlasting to everlasting and has no end. I need to reach out and grasp it.

My soul longs for your salvation; I hope in your word.

My soul longs for the day when I will be completely restored, when I will be that new man, complete in You, Come, Lord Jesus, come.

May my heart be blameless in your statutes, that I may not be put to shame!  My soul longs for your salvation; I hope in your word. My eyes long for your promise; I ask, "When will you comfort me?"  For I have become like a wineskin in the smoke, yet I have not forgotten your statutes. How long must your servant endure? When will you judge those who persecute me? The insolent have dug pitfalls for me; they do not live according to your law. All your commandments are sure; they persecute me with falsehood; help me! They have almost made an end of me on earth, but I have not forsaken your precepts. In your steadfast love give me life, that I may keep the testimonies of your mouth.

Lord, it is not the enemies without but the enemy within. My pride, my fear of rejection; these and similar emotions are the ones that control my life. I seek the approval of those around me to satisfy my self-destructive ego. I need to be willing to listen to that quiet voice that says, “No, John, not a good idea” and be willing to obey rather than repent. It seems that my continuous cry is, “Help me, Lord, for I am a sinful man.”

Your righteousness is righteous forever, and your law is true.

Lord, I need to remember that Your righteousness is coherent and invariant, there are no shadows, no shades of gray. It is pure and piercing, a penetrating light exposing all that does not meet the standard of Your holy and true law. I need to know that my life is to be lived in the brilliant luminosity of that standard.

Today's readings in the Psalms:

Morning: Psalm 86

Mid-day: 119:129-136

Evening: Psalm 12

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

The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah

You will never leave me nor forsake me. You, the God of Abraham, Issac and Jacob are my fortress, my mighty shield. Praise You, my Lord and Master.

Today's readings in the Psalms:

Morning: Psalm 85

Mid-day: 119:121-128

Evening: Psalm 11

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

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High. God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns. The nations rage, the kingdoms totter; he utters his voice, the earth melts.

Yes, and that Stream is You, my Lord and Savior. From Your riven side pour out the righteousness, peace and joy of the Kingdom. You are the source of all that is good, all that is right, all that is just. Praise You, My Lord.

Today's readings in the Psalms:

Morning: Psalm 84

Mid-day: 119:113-120

Evening: Psalm 10

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

To the choirmaster. Of the Sons of Korah. According to Alamoth. A Song. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah

My problem, Lord, is that I forget that You are a very present help in time of trouble. When faced with a problem, I am off trying to resolve it on my own and with my own wits. When will I learn to turn to You first in prayer and to wait for Your leading? When will I automatically seek Your face as the earth under me gives way and the mountains about me are cast into the sea? When, Lord, when?

Today's readings in the Psalms:

Morning: Psalm 83

Mid-day: 119:105-112

Evening: Psalm 9

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

For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

When the storms of anger rage, when the weight of discouragement and depression bear down, the pull of self-will and lust tug, even those emotions and affections cannot separate me from the love of of God. I am secure, safe on His gentle breast. I need only to remember to turn to Him in praise and thanksgiving.

Today's readings in the Psalms:

Morning: Psalm 82

Mid-day: 119:97-104

Evening: Psalm 8

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

In place of your fathers shall be your sons; you will make them princes in all the earth. I will cause your name to be remembered in all generations; therefore nations will praise you forever and ever.

Now, until the Glorious Day, I am called to minister to His sheep and to be a Messenger of the Good News. What a responsibility, what a title. Lord, guide me that I would be faithful to my calling.

Today's readings in the Psalms:

Morning: Psalm 81

Mid-day: 119:89-96

Evening: Psalm 7

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