A Devotional Journey Through the Psalms: Psalm 89

A Devotional Journey Through the Psalms: Psalm 89
-Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow

I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever;
With my mouth will I make known Your faithfulness to all generations. For I have said, “Mercy shall be built up forever; Your faithfulness You shall establish in the very heavens.” And the heavens will praise Your wonders, O Lord;
Your faithfulness also in the assembly of the saints. O Lord God of hosts, Who is mighty like You, O Lord? Your faithfulness also surrounds You.
“But My faithfulness and My mercy shall be with him, And in My name his horn shall be exalted.
Nevertheless My lovingkindness I will not utterly take from him, Nor allow My faithfulness to fail (Psalm 89: 1-2,5,8,24,33).

In our devotional journey through the Psalms, God’s faithfulness is a strong theme. In Psalm 89 it is used six different times. Here is what we discover about God’s faithfulness in these six verses…
 
God’s faithfulness will never fail or disappear. Every generation from the beginning of time has known and experienced God’s faithfulness. Today, everyone in the body of Christ can raise a banner proclaiming “God is Faithful”. His faithfulness is not an ideal, but a reality. His faithfulness surrounds you, and is with you on every path He leads you and in every trial you walk through. God’s faithfulness is fail proof. HE WILL NOT FAIL!
 
Our response to God’s faithfulness in our lives is a simple one, it is TRUST! A nineteenth-century writer got it right when she said, “Perfect obedience would be perfect happiness, if we had full confidence in the One we were obeying.”
 
In our “even though” situations of life our trust in the Lord’s faithfulness can remain firm:

Trust Him as you take His hand, even though it means letting go of what you’re holding on to.

Trust Him as you please His heart, even though it may not please others.

Trust Him as you wait for His time, even though your desire is to get it done now.

Trust Him as you obey His Word, even though you hear something different that is popular.

Trust Him as you follow His path, even though you see a valley ahead.

Trust Him as He shows you His wisdom, even though you would do it differently.

 
Insight: The insight for today’s posting is in the image below. (It is from the cover of a greeting card by Blessed Day Cards ©2026, used with permission.)

#psalms #devotional #devotion #roylessin #meetinginthemeadow
©2026 Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow. Used with permission, all rights reserved.
 
Restore, Renew and Refresh in the Psalms
Green Pastures. Quiet Waters. Righteous Paths.
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A Devotional Journey Through the Psalms: Psalm 88

A Devotional Journey Through the Psalms: Psalm 88
-Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow

O Lord, God of my salvation,
I have cried out day and night before You (Psalm 88:1).
 

“When the going gets tough, the tough get going” is a popular self-help saying that falls far short of what God has provided for us through His salvation.

Our soul cannot save our soul. Our flesh cannot deliver us from its own weakness. Our own will, no matter how strong or determined it may be, cannot bring us out of bondage and into spiritual freedom.
 
Psalm 88 is filled with many struggles and troubles of the soul. The cry of the psalmist in verse one is a cry to the Lord. The psalmist did not say to himself “I got this!” He is placing no confidence in himself, in a slogan, in a “higher power”, or in a ten-step plan.
 
There is only one answer for the troubled soul, one hope for the hopeless, and one security for the insecure. It is God’s salvation! Salvation is a God word, declaring God’s full provision for every troubled soul. Salvation is God’s pathway home for the lost, God’s healing for the broken hearted, and God’s freedom for all who are enslaved by sin.
 
Salvation frees us from the guilt of the past, gives us a purpose for the present, and brings hope for our future. Salvation is only possible because of God’s mercy and grace. No one can save themselves. Salvation is God’s free gift through Jesus Christ.
 
Salvation becomes ours when we receive it, not perceive it. It is a gift not a merit. It is perfect and doesn’t need improvement. It is complete and needs nothing added to it. Jesus is God’s only option, there is no other way.
 
Insight: God isn’t an auctioneer; salvation doesn’t go to the highest bidder. 
God isn’t a negotiator; salvation doesn’t go to those looking for a deal.
God isn’t a retailer; salvation doesn’t go to the most loyal customers. 
God isn’t a financier; salvation doesn’t go to those who invest. 
God is a GIVER; salvation goes to those who receive the gift of His Son.
 
But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name (John 1:12 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 87

A Devotional Journey Through the Psalms: Psalm 87
-Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow

His foundation is in the holy mountains. The Lord loves the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob. Glorious things are spoken of you, O city of God! Selah
“I will make mention of Rahab and Babylon to those who know Me; Behold, O Philistia and Tyre, with Ethiopia: ‘This one was born there.’ ”And of Zion it will be said, “This one and that one were born in her; And the Most High Himself shall establish her.” The Lord will record, When He registers the peoples: “This one was born there.” Selah. Both the singers and the players on instruments say, “All my springs are in you" (Psalm 87:1-7).
 
The focus of Psalm 87 is upon the city of Jerusalem (Zion). It stands out above all places upon the earth. It is the only city where God has chosen to put His name (1 Kings 14:21).
 
Here are some of the things that set Jerusalem apart from other cities:
*Its mountains are called holy.
*The Lord loves its gates more than any other place in Israel. 
*It’s spoken of in glorious terms.
*It’s called God’s city.
*It’s an honor to be born there.
*It’s a city of celebration to the Lord.
 
Why is Jerusalem—the city of peace—so important to every member of the body of Christ, both Jew and Gentile? Because Jerusalem is identified in Scripture as the place where God's plan of redemption will be fully completed in every detail, down to the last prophecy. 
 
It was here…
*Abraham offered Isaac.
*The capital of David’s kingdom was established.
*The Feasts of Passover, Pentecost and Tabernacles were celebrated each year.
*The Temple was built, restored and rededicated.
*Jesus was crucified, buried, and resurrected.
*Jesus ascended to the Father, and where the Holy Spirit was poured out after Jesus’ ascension.
*Jesus will one day return to earth and reign for a thousand years. 
 
Psalm 87 ends with a proclamation we can all rejoice in, “All my springs are in you.” The springs of joy and celebration flow from the springs of Salvation and Living Water that are within us through the presence of the Holy Spirit. 
 
Insight: The Spirit-filled life is joy-filled. That doesn’t mean we are free of hardships and difficulties. It means that the springs of joy within us flow deeper, from a source that is beyond ourselves.

#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 86

 A Devotional Journey Through the Psalms: Psalm 86

-Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow

Bow down Your ear, O Lord, hear me; For I am poor and needy. Preserve my life, for I am holy; You are my God; Save Your servant who trusts in You! Be merciful to me, O Lord, For I cry to You all day long. Rejoice the soul of Your servant, For to You, O Lord, I lift up my soul. For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, And abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You. Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer; And attend to the voice of my supplications. In the day of my trouble I will call upon You, For You will answer me. Among the gods there is none like You, O Lord; Nor are there any works like Your works. All nations whom You have made Shall come and worship before You, O Lord, And shall glorify Your name. For You are great, and do wondrous things; You alone are God. Teach me Your way, O Lord; I will walk in Your truth; Unite my heart to fear Your name. I will praise You, O Lord my God, with all my heart, And I will glorify Your name forevermore. For great is Your mercy toward me, And You have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol. O God, the proud have risen against me, And a mob of violent men have sought my life, And have not set You before them. But You, O Lord, are a God full of compassion, and gracious, Longsuffering and abundant in mercy and truth. Oh, turn to me, and have mercy on me! Give Your strength to Your servant, And save the son of Your maidservant.
Show me a sign for good, That those who hate me may see it and be ashamed, Because You, Lord, have helped me and comforted me (Psalm 86:1-17).
 
 
Within Psalm 86 are the main building blocks for personal supplications. Let’s take a closer look...
 
The Need(s)
I am poor.
I am needy.
 
The Request(s)
Lord, bow down Your ear.
Hear me.
Preserve my life.
Save me.
Be merciful to me.
I cry to you all day long.
Rejoice my soul.
I lift up my soul.
Attend to my supplications.
I call upon you.
Teach me Your way.
Unite my heart to fear your name.
Turn to me, have mercy on me.
Give me your strength.
Save (me) as you did my mother, who served You.
Show me a sign for good (verse 16).
 
The Provider
The Lord, God.
 
The Relationship
You are my God.
I am your servant.
I trust in You.
You are good.
You are ready to forgive.
You are abundant in mercy.
You will answer me.
There is none like You.
There are no works like Your works.
You are great.
You do wondrous things.
You alone are God.
I will walk in your Truth.
I will praise You with all my heart.
I will glorify Your name forevermore.
Your mercy is great toward me.
You have delivered my soul.
You are full of compassion and graciousness, long-suffering and abundant in mercy and truth.
You have helped me and comforted me.
 
The above category “The Relationship” is not at the bottom of this list because it is the least significant category in Psalm 86, but because it is the most significant. It contains the greatest number of references in the Psalm and is the building block upon which the other three categories are anchored.
 
Insight: Faith-spoken, heart-trusting supplications flow out of the love-building relationship we have with God. We come boldly to Him with our needs because we are confident He hears and He cares.

#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

A Devotional Journey Through the Psalms: Psalm 85

A Devotional Journey Through the Psalms: Psalm 85
-Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow

I will hear what God the Lord will speak,
For He will speak peace To His people and to His saints;

But let them not turn back to folly.
Surely His salvation is near to those who fear Him,

That glory may dwell in our land.
Mercy and truth have met together;

Righteousness and peace have kissed (Psalm 85:8-10).

What a welcoming word peace is!

Peace is spoken of twice in verses 8-10 in Psalm 85. In verse 8 Peace is used to help us identify God’s voice in our lives. In verse 10 Peace is used to help us recognize the moral environment where peace abides.
 
The Hebrew word for Peace is Shalom. Shalom is much more than a social greeting—it is a prayer, a blessing, a deep desire, and a benediction. It is packed with the full blessing of God. It has many significant meanings throughout the Scriptures. The Blessing of Shalom written below is a compilation of those significant meanings.
 
THE BLESSING OF SHALOM—A Benediction
 
May you be whole in body, soul, and spirit as a result of being in harmony with God's will and purpose for your life.
 
May His peace be your covering, may your heart know His fullness, and by His mighty power may you know victory over every enemy.
 
May He bring to pass the deepest desires of your heart.
 
May you know the healing power of His presence, and the restoration of every broken relationship.

Through His sufficiency, may every need you face be met by His limitless resources.
 
May His covenant promises be fulfilled in your life and in your family.
 
May He bring you the greatest measure of contentment, and the deepest satisfaction that your heart can possibly know through Jesus Christ.
SHALOM!
 
Insight: Shalom (Peace) is a name of God. He is called Jehovah-Shalom (Judges 6:24). To walk with God is to have constant companionship with Peace.

#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