A Devotional Journey Through the Psalms: Psalm 76

A Devotional Journey Through the Psalms: Psalm 76
-Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow

In Judah God is known; His name is great in Israel (Psalm 76:1).
 
The most amazing, wonderful news about verse one in Psalm 76 is that God is knowable! Think about it, He knows you and you can know Him, personally.
 
I am familiar with many celebrities in music, in film and in sports. Sorry to say, that even though I’ve seen some of them perform in person, I’ve never met them. There are a few celebrities that I have met and been acquainted with because of a business relationship. There is one celebrity, however, that I know personally. He was a very popular TV star, but I knew him as a friend. He would come to our home to visit, and we would visit him in his home. The more we got to know each other, the more we enjoyed each other’s company.
 
In the first verse of Psalm 76 we find two different ways God can be recognized among His people…
One is recognizing God’s greatness.
The other is knowing God’s presence.

Here is how these two ways differ:
 
Recognizing God’s Greatness-
Aware of God’s acts.
Being in awe of what God does.
Giving God deepest respect.
Delighting in God’s power.
Learning God’s importance.
 
Knowing God’s Presence-
Aware of God’s ways.
Being in awe of who God is.
Giving God highest honor.
Delighting in God’s fellowship.
Learning God’s heart.
 
Hannah W. Smith, the author of the classic bestselling book Christian Secret of a Happy Life, had this said about her relationship with God…
“Hannah saw the goodness of God, took in the wonder of His Fatherhood, understood that He is magnificent enough to turn all the evil that arrows into the lives of His children into utter good if we but place all circumstances into His tender hands. Truths about the character of God himself settled like unshakable stones at the bottom of her soul.”
 
Insight: a prayer for you…”Lord, help me to see Your goodness more clearly, to take in more fully the wonder of your Fatherhood, and to understand more deeply how You turn all that comes against me into utter good. Help me to place all circumstances into your tender hands.” Amen.

#psalms #devotional #devotion #roylessin #meetinginthemeadow

©2026 Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow. Photo by Marina Bromley. Used with permission, all rights reserved.
 

Restore, Renew and Refresh in the Psalms

Green Pastures. Quiet Waters. Righteous Paths.

meetinginthemeadow.com

BlessedDayCards.com

A Devotional Journey Through the Psalms: Psalm 75

A Devotional Journey Through the Psalms: Psalm 75
-Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow

 
We give thanks to You, O God, we give thanks!
For Your wondrous works declare that Your name is near (Psalm 75:1).
 
My faith is not in what happens, neither do I lose my faith if nothing happens. My faith is grounded in who God is. Psalm 75 gives thanks to God because His works are wondrous. God’s works are wondrous because God is wonderful.
 
This worship song written by Audrey Mae Mieir moves our hearts to gather in the wonders of His name…
His name is Wonderful, His name is Wonderful,
His name is Wonderful, Jesus my Lord;
Jesus my Lord. He’s the great Shepherd,
the Rock of all ages, Almighty God is He;
Bow down before Him, Love and adore Him,
His name is Wonderful, Jesus, my Lord.
 
Here is a short collection of the wonderful names of Jesus that you can include in your “thank you, Lord” list.
 
Advocate—He is your defending attorney in the courtroom of heaven.
Almighty—There are no limits to what He can do for you.
Author—He is writing every chapter of your life and is preparing future editions.
Beloved—He brings you the Father’s heart.
Captain—He is charting and guiding your course.
Deliverer—He sets you free from bondage and fear.
Master—He is in control.
Messiah—The God of Abraham, Issac, and Jacob is your God also.
Refuge—He is your safe place and hiding place.
Way—He is the pathway, the highway, the only way into all the desires He has placed within your heart.
 
Insight: Every name of the Lord can meet every need you have.
 
Insight: Begin a “His Wonderful Name” journal. Within its pages record every name of the Lord you discover in the Scriptures, and include what need that name will meet in your life.

#psalms #devotional #devotion #roylessin #meetinginthemeadow

©2026 Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow. Photo by Marina Bromley. Used with permission, all rights reserved.
 

Restore, Renew and Refresh in the Psalms

Green Pastures. Quiet Waters. Righteous Paths.

meetinginthemeadow.com

BlessedDayCards.com

A Devotional Journey Through the Psalms: Psalm 74

A Devotional Journey Through the Psalms: Psalm 74
-Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow

Your enemies roar in the midst of Your meeting place; They set up their banners for signs (Psalm 74:4).
 
Psalm 74 reminds us of a very low time in the history of Israel. The enemies of God’s people are inhabiting the places they don’t belong, while desecrating the things that aren’t theirs. It was a time when the enemies’ banners were in full display.
 
Banners are symbols that represent ownership, authority, loyalty, identity, victory, inspiration and pride. Banners are rallying points. 
 
I was born in the Bronx, New York, not far from Yankee Stadium. When I was eight, my family moved to Los Angeles. I eventually became both a Yankee fan and a Dodger fan. My first banner came in the form of a baseball pennant bearing the name of my favorite team. It would be unthinkable for me to hang a baseball pennant on my wall bearing the name of my team’s rival. 
 
Flags were a type of banner I was introduced to while attending elementary school. Our school flagpole proudly flew both the flag of the United States and the flag of the state of California.
No one at our school would ever allow a flag of another country or another state to fly on our flagpole. 
 
During a war, one of the first things a conquering army would do is take down the flag of the enemy and raise up their flag in its place. This victory banner let everyone know who was now in charge.
 
The enemy of our soul wants to raise his banner over our lives as he did in Israel long ago. He wants us to be the defeated ones. The enemy is the destroyer, and he wants to destroy us. But wait, the enemy has been defeated! Jesus finished the work 2000 years ago. His victory is our victory because we are in Christ. We pray in His name! We walk in His way! We speak in His authority! 
 
The Name of the Lord is Jehovah Nissi. 
HE is our banner!
He IS our banner! 
He is OUR banner!
He is our BANNER!
 
And His Banner over us is LOVE (Song of Solomon 2:4)!
 
Insight: Every name of God, every name of Jesus, every name of the Holy Spirit, and every promise of Scripture are your banners. Use them to wave over your heart!
 
Insight: You have given a banner to those who fear You, That it may be displayed because of the truth (Psalm 60:4 NKJV).

#psalms #devotional #devotion #roylessin #meetinginthemeadow

©2026 Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow. Photo by Marina Bromley. Used with permission, all rights reserved.
 

Restore, Renew and Refresh in the Psalms

Green Pastures. Quiet Waters. Righteous Paths.

meetinginthemeadow.com

BlessedDayCards.com

A Devotional Journey Through the Psalms: Psalm 73

A Devotional Journey Through the Psalms: Psalm 73
-Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow

Nevertheless I am continually with You;
You hold me by my right hand.
You will guide me with Your counsel,
And afterward receive me to glory.
Whom have I in heaven but You?
And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You.
But it is good for me to draw near to God;
I have put my trust in the Lord God,
That I may declare all Your works (Psalm 73:23-25, 28).
 
It can be very risky to take your eyes off what is ahead of you and focus on something that is around you or behind you. I learned that lesson while playing in a school yard football game. While running full speed to catch a touchdown pass, I failed to notice a basketball pole at the back of the end zone. My head hit the poll at the same time my hands caught the ball. The noise from the impact could be heard all over the schoolyard! Some wondered if I would ever get up again.
 
Asaph, the author of Psalm 73, spent too much of his time looking around at others and observing what they were doing, instead of looking ahead and focusing upon what God was doing. Thankfully, by the time we get to verse 28, Asaph’s heart has settled once again upon the purpose and plan God has for his life.
 
Here are six important principles to FOLLOW as you pursue God’s guidance in your life:

F- Faith. Faith is the starting point of every journey. Without faith we cannot please God. We live by faith. By faith you put your trust in God’s faithfulness to keep you and fulfill His purposes for your life.

O- Obey. Following the Lord is not possible without obedience. You must have it settled in your heart that the Lord is your Shepherd. You are following His path for your life. Let Him decide for you what is next.

L- Listen. A good follower is a good listener. Listening means paying attention. Agree with whatever He says to you. His “no” is just as important as His “yes”.

L- Love. Let love be your aim. Your motive. Your motivation. Do what you do for love’s sake. Your love for others will flow out of your love for Him.

O- Observe. Pay attention. Be aware of what God is doing and join Him. Be aware of where He is going and follow Him. If you are at a crossroads, look at the road He has chosen and take that one.

W- Wait. Be patient. Be still. Rest. Striving is not necessary. There is nothing about God’s timing that you need to be anxious about.

Insight: There is nothing bad about following the GOOD Shepherd. There is nothing twisted about Him who makes straight paths for your feet.

#psalms #devotional #devotion #roylessin #meetinginthemeadow

©2026 Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow. Photo by Marina Bromley. Used with permission, all rights reserved.
 

Restore, Renew and Refresh in the Psalms

Green Pastures. Quiet Waters. Righteous Paths.

meetinginthemeadow.com

BlessedDayCards.com

A Devotional Journey Through the Psalms: Psalm 72

A Devotional Journey Through the Psalms: Psalm 72
-Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow

His name shall endure forever;
His name shall continue as long as the sun.
And men shall be blessed in Him;
All nations shall call Him blessed.
Blessed be the Lord God, the God of Israel,
Who only does wondrous things!
And blessed be His glorious name forever!
And let the whole earth be filled with His glory.
Amen and Amen (Psalm 72:17-19).
 
As we read through the Psalms its pages are filled with prayers, praise, celebration, and adoration to the one, true, living, loving, just and righteous God of Israel. The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

In Psalm 72 we find a powerful and prophetic focus upon Israel’s Messianic hope—the anointed King, the righteous King, the just King, and the glorious King—the only King before whom every king, from every nation will bow down.

James Montgomery, in his hymn Hail to the Lord’s Anointed, penned these faith building, heart stirring, prophetically significant words...
 
Hail to the Lord’s Anointed,
Great David’s greater Son!
Hail, in the time appointed,
His reign on earth begun!
He comes to break oppression,
To set the captive free;
To take away transgression,
And rule in equity.
 
O’er every foe victorious
He on His throne shall rest,
From age to age more glorious,
All-blessing and all-blest.
The tide of time shall never
His covenant remove;
His Name shall stand forever,
His changeless Name of Love.
 
Jesus Christ (Messiah) was sent by the God of Israel; He did not send Himself. He was appointed by the God of Israel; He did not appoint Himself. He was anointed by the God of Israel; He did not anoint Himself. No one needed to tell the Messiah why He was sent—He knew! He also rejoiced in His coming, and for the joy set before Him He endured the Cross and shed His blood so we could be forgiven, reconciled to God, and have eternal life.
 
The Messiah’s place, person, position, passion, power, and purpose flowed out the anointing He carried as the One sent by God.
 
Insight: The Scripture is clear, “ONLY the God of Israel does wondrous things!” No wonder God is so wonderful!

#psalms #devotional #devotion #roylessin #meetinginthemeadow

©2026 Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow. Photo by Marina Bromley. Used with permission, all rights reserved.
 

Restore, Renew and Refresh in the Psalms

Green Pastures. Quiet Waters. Righteous Paths.

meetinginthemeadow.com

BlessedDayCards.com