A Devotional Journey Through the Psalms: Psalm 133

A Devotional Journey Through the Psalms: Psalm 133
-Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is
For brethren to dwell together in unity!
It is like the precious oil upon the head,
Running down on the beard,
The beard of Aaron,
Running down on the edge of his garments.
It is like the dew of Hermon,
Descending upon the mountains of Zion;
For there the Lord commanded the blessing—
Life forevermore (Psalm 133:1-3).
 
How delightful it is to read the tone and subject matter in Psalm 133. The following words are the roses in this bouquet:
 
Good.
Pleasant.
Together.
Unity.
Precious.
Oil and Dew.
Blessing.
Life.
Forevermore.
 
Reading this list makes me want to experience these truths in a more abundant way. Many people desire these things but don’t know how to bring them about. 
 
We live in a world that is divided, disagreeable, and disconnected. Psalm 133 presents a better way, a higher ground and a brighter path to follow. In order for us to know the reality of Psalm 133 we need to look to the One source that can produce them within us.

One of the wonders of God is that He has made it possible for unity and diversity to work together in harmony. Opposites were not created to be in opposition to each other.

Our Unity in the Body of Christ

Keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace…(Ephesians 4:3).
 
We are one body, we have one Holy Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one Savior, one salvation, one foundation, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father, who is above, through and in us all.
 
Our Diversity in the body of Christ

However, He has given each one of us a special gift through the generosity of Christ (Ephesians 4:7).

We are called the Body of Christ, not the Bodies of Christ. We are ONE body that has great diversity. We are ONE body with many different parts, performing many different tasks, in a wide variety of ways. God has called us to unity within His body, not conformity. He doesn’t want us to all be the same, function the same, look the same, be in the same place, do the same work, or have the same gifts. It is God’s will for each of us in His body to embrace our unity and celebrate our differences as we walk in the Spirit.
 
One of the ways we can understand how unity and diversity work beautifully together is by listening to Beethoven’s 9th Coral Symphony. It takes about 200 people to perform the symphony, including the full orchestra, the choir, and the soloists. The diversity needed in the orchestra alone includes strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussions. 
 
Without diversity, the symphony Beethoven wrote could not be performed or celebrated by those who are listening. However, there must also be unity if the symphony is to be performed and celebrated.
Suppose the violinists in the orchestra decided they didn’t want to play Beethoven and played a symphony by Mozart instead. Obviously, it would result in nothing but confusion, and those attending would go home without any understanding or appreciation for what Beethoven had actually written.
 
Insight: For an orchestra to properly present the beauty of the music, each instrument must be tuned to the same note.

Insight: When an audience gives a standing ovation after a concert they are thanking the musicians and praising the composer.

Insight: Blessed is the orchestra that follows the baton of the conductor.
 
Insight: The best contribution a musician can make to a symphony is to play the notes assigned to him, and at the proper time.

Insight: If everyone wanted to be in the spotlight, there’d be no one to operate the spotlight.

#psalms #devotional #devotion #roylessin #meetinginthemeadow
©2026 Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow. Photo by Marina Bromley. Used with permission, all rights reserved.
 
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A Devotional Journey Through the Psalms: Psalm 132

A Devotional Journey Through the Psalms: Psalm 132
-Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow

Lord, remember David And all his afflictions; How he swore to the Lord, And vowed to the Mighty One of Jacob: “Surely I will not go into the chamber of my house, Or go up to the comfort of my bed; I will not give sleep to my eyes Or slumber to my eyelids, Until I find a place for the Lord, A dwelling place for the Mighty One of Jacob.” Behold, we heard of it in Ephrathah; We found it in the fields of the woods. Let us go into His tabernacle; Let us worship at His footstool. Arise, O Lord, to Your resting place, You and the ark of Your strength. Let Your priests be clothed with righteousness And let Your saints shout for joy (Psalm 132:1-9).
 
When God first gave Moses the detailed instructions to build the portable Tabernacle in the Wilderness (the Tent of Meeting), God also told Moses where to set it up. It was to be located in the center of the tribes of Israel wherever they camped. It was a visual reminder to the people that God’s presence was in their midst. 
 
Psalm 132 brings our attention to two of David’s deepest desires: 

• To build a permanent Temple in Jerusalem (the place of worship).
• To put the Ark of the Covenant (God’s presence) in its rightful place within the Temple.

When the Word became flesh and dwelt (tabernacled) among us, God’s presence was made manifest, not in a place, but in a person. 
 
After Jesus rose from the dead, God’s presence was made manifest collectively through a new source, the Body of Christ. Amazingly, each individual within the Body of Christ was identified as God’s temple. Individually and collectively the intimacy between God and His people was at its deepest level.

Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? (1Corinthians 3:16 NKJV)

Today, as a member of Christ’s body, you are God’s temple. His presence dwells in you through the person of the Holy Spirit. Your spirit and God’s Spirit are joined as one in the deepest level of intimacy.

The following prayer focuses on your heart’s desire to know Him more deeply and enjoy Him more fully.

Prayer of Intimacy 
 
Lord, I want to know You more, not just with my head, but intimately, in the depths of my spirit. I desire to live in You, abide in You, be fruitful in You, and have the fullness of Your joy as my portion. I have tasted of Your delights and know that You are good, help me now to feast with You at Your table. Help me draw near, to drink of Your Spirit, to delight in Your will, to walk in step, to be in agreement with Your will, to take Your yoke fully upon me, and to learn of You.

I ask You to take me closer to Your heart—I want to know more deeply what it means to love You; I want to know more fully what it means to experience the pleasure of Your company; I want to know more completely what it means to serve You as a faithful servant.

Lord, through my vision, help me to see more clearly the things that You see through Your eyes; through my thoughts, help me to understand the things that You know in Your wisdom; through my tongue, help me to speak the words that are upon Your lips. By Your grace, I want to know the power of Your cross, the fellowship of Your suffering, the triumphs of Your victory, and the glory of a life that is seated with You at the Father's right hand.

I ask You to make me more aware of the things that You celebrate and bring You pleasure. I want to do those things that cause You to say "I am pleased"; I want to follow the path that causes Your face to shine upon me; I want to do the work that has Your approval; I want to make the choices that will result in hearing Your "Well done." Amen. 

Insight: Learn to know the God of your ancestors intimately. Worship and serve Him with your whole heart and a willing mind.

As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve Him with a loyal heart and with a willing mind; for the Lord searches all hearts and understands all the intent of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will cast you off forever (1Chronicles 28:9 NKJV).

#psalms #devotional #devotion #roylessin #meetinginthemeadow
©2026 Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow. Photo by Marina Bromley. Used with permission, all rights reserved.
 
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A Devotional Journey Through the Psalms: Psalm 131

A Devotional Journey Through the Psalms: Psalm 131
-Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow

Lord, my heart is not haughty,
Nor my eyes lofty.
Neither do I concern myself with great matters,
Nor with things too profound for me (Psalm 131:1).

The haughty person is in the same company as the proud, the arrogant, and the self-centered.

It is a wise person who doesn’t carry an exalted opinion of themselves or pursues great things for themselves. When a well-known servant of the Lord was once asked how he could accomplish so much the servant replied, “One day the Lord looked down from heaven and said, ‘Where can I find the weakest, littlest man on earth?’ Then He saw me and said, “I’ve found him; he won’t be proud of it; he’ll see that I am using him because of his insignificance.”
 
The Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: 
 to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God (Micah 6:8).
 

• God is not looking for someone who is clever, but for someone through whom God can be wise.

 

• God is not looking for someone who is self-confident, but for someone through whom God can be all sufficient.

 

• God is not looking for someone who is powerful, but for someone through whom He can be almighty.

As we walk humbly with our God we will also walk humbly before others in the body of Christ. Servants of the Lord do not look upon other servants of the Lord as competitors, but as fellow contributors in God’s kingdom. Pastors, church leaders, Christian publishers, musicians, missionaries, or other types of ministries doing Kingdom work are not in competition with each other.
 
As you walk humbly with your God you see life from His perspective:
Some may have more possessions, but none can have greater riches than those found in the treasure of Jesus Christ.
 
Some may partake of more pleasures, but none can know a deeper joy than the one known in His wonderful presence.
 
Some may be able to sing with a stronger voice, but none can have a sweeter song than the melody of His love filling the heart.
 
Some may have greater popularity, but none can know a truer friendship which comes by walking with Jesus.
 
Some may have attained a certain status, but none can have a higher calling than following the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
 
Some may have live in a bigger house, but none can have a nicer home than the one that Jesus has been preparing in Heaven.
 
Insight: When Jesus spoke to the seven churches in the book of Revelation, He spoke to them individually and not competitively. No church was praised for how big their attendance was, and no church was reproved for how small their attendance was.

#psalms #devotional #devotion #roylessin #meetinginthemeadow
©2026 Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow. Photo by Marina Bromley. Used with permission, all rights reserved.
 
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A Devotional Journey Through the Psalms: Psalm 130

A Devotional Journey Through the Psalms: Psalm 130
-Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow

Out of the depths I have cried to You, O Lord; Lord, hear my voice! Let Your ears be attentive To the voice of my supplications. If You, Lord, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand?
But there is forgiveness with You, That You may be feared. wait for the Lord, my soul waits, And in His word I do hope. My soul waits for the Lord More than those who watch for the morning—Yes, more than those who watch for the morning (Psalm 130:1-8).
 
Confidence in Prayer
Nothing Has Stopped in Heaven—
Grace still abounds;
Mercies are still new this morning;
Blessings are still being poured out;
Prayers are still being heard and answered;
Angels are still ministering;
Jesus is still interceding;
The Holy Spirit is still working;
God is still on the throne;
And the return of the Lord is still on schedule.
 
Believing Prayer

Believing prayer is a language that is spoken by the heart. Our strength in prayer is not developed by growing our eloquence, but by growing our faith.

Jesus told us, "And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words" (Matthew 6:7 NIV).
 
The power of prayer is found in its simplicity, not its complexity or frequency. We should never think that God will not hear or answer our prayer unless we use just the right words, phrase them correctly, and repeat them frequently. Even if the words that we speak don't come out just right God knows exactly what our heart is wanting to say.
 
God doesn't need us to pray the "right words" so He can understand what our need is, and He doesn't need us to repeat them because He won't forget our prayer. Jesus assures us that God knows all about our need and knows how to meet it even before our prayer begins (Matthew 6:8).

God hears and answers prayer based upon our relationship to Him. God is our heavenly Father and He invites us to draw near to Him as His children.
 
Forgiveness Brings Freedom in Prayer

We can boldly enter heaven’s Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus (Hebrews 10:19 NLT).
 
God has made a way for us to come to Him in prayer. A way of hope, a way of mercy, a way of grace, a way of forgiveness, a way of salvation, a way of eternal life. That way, that hope, that mercy, that grace, that forgiveness, that salvation, that eternal life is found in only one person, Jesus Christ the Lord.
 
Jesus died as the spotless sacrificial lamb willing to make atonement for our sin. The mallet and the spikes were in our hands while goodness and mercy were in His... rebellion and deceit were in our character, grace and truth were in His...hardness and coldness were in our hearts, tenderness and compassion in His. Jesus was the perfect offering for our imperfections—taking our judgment, bearing our sorrow, tasting our death, triumphing over our hell, and bringing us eternal hope with the awesome power of resurrection life.
 
Insight: He came even though we didn't know how desperately we needed Him. He came to pay the debt we owed but couldn't pay. He came as a physician who didn't wait for office calls but lived among us to seek and save those who were being destroyed by the plague of sin. He didn't die as a martyr or a reformer; He died as the spotless, sacrificial lamb, willing to make atonement for our sin.

#psalms #devotional #devotion #roylessin #meetinginthemeadow
©2026 Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow. Photo by Marina Bromley. Used with permission, all rights reserved.
 
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A Devotional Journey Through the Psalms: Psalm 129

A Devotional Journey Through the Psalms: Psalm 129
-Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow

Neither let those who pass by them say,
“The blessing of the Lord be upon you;
We bless you in the name of the Lord!” (Psalm 129:8).
 
After God created Adam and Eve He spoke a blessing of fruitfulness over their lives. The vastness of His blessings have been spoken from Genesis to Revelation. God delights in blessing our lives!
 
One of the saddest places in life is to live without the blessing of the Lord. Oh, the wonder, the beauty, and the glory that shines upon each life that receives the blessing of the Lord! His blessings are greater than the favors of others, more meaningful than the rewards of others, and more valuable than the treasures of others.
 
What is a blessing? It is a favor, a kindness, a benediction. It is an abundance of Divine benefits. It is grace poured out in overflowing measure. It is God’s merciful hand placed upon your head. It is His smile manifesting His delight over you. It is His glory shining upon your face. It is God’s river of goodness washing over your soul. It is fruitfulness, joyfulness, and delightfulness as He shares His heart with yours.

 
The Blessings of the Lord…
 

• They Bring no sorrow.

The blessing of the Lord makes one rich, And He adds no sorrow with it (Proverbs 10:22 NKJV).
 

• They will make you to be a blessing to others.

I will make you a great nation; I will bless you And make your name great; And you shall be a blessing (Genesis 12:2 NKJV).
 

• They are abundant.

I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply your descendants as the stars of the heaven and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your descendants shall possess the gate of their enemies (Genesis 22:17 NKJV).
 

• Every spiritual blessing is yours in Christ.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ (Ephesians 1:3 NKJV).
 
An invitation to enter into the blessing of the “fountain of every blessing”…the presence of your Heavenly Father!
 
Insight: Draw near, then, seeking soul, with boldness; Draw near with the lowly boldness of a child. Dear are you to your Father. Sweet is your voice to Him.
Precious is your person, accepted in His Beloved. You cannot come too boldly-you cannot come too frequently—you cannot come with too large requests.
You are coming to a King, that King your Father, that Father viewing you in His beloved Son. Oh, hang not back. Stand not afar off. He now holds out the golden scepter, and says, "Come near; what is your request? Come with your temporal want. Come with your spiritual need. Ask what you will, it shall be granted you. I have an open hand, and a large heart. -Octavius Winslow
 
Insight: In prosperity God is heard, and that is a blessing; but in adversity God is seen, and that is a greater blessing. -Charles Spurgeon
 
Insight: The blessing of God is the greatest thing any human life can enjoy, giving goodness to every aspect of life. -David Guzik

#psalms #devotional #devotion #roylessin #meetinginthemeadow
©2026 Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow. Photo by Marina Bromley. Used with permission, all rights reserved.
 
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A Devotional Journey Through the Psalms: Psalm 128

A Devotional Journey Through the Psalms: Psalm 128
-Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow

Blessed is everyone who fears the Lord, Who walks in His ways. When you eat the labor of your hands, You shall be happy, and it shall be well with you. Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine In the very heart of your house, Your children like olive plants All around your table.
Behold, thus shall the man be blessed Who fears the Lord. The Lord bless you out of Zion, And may you see the good of Jerusalem All the days of your life. Yes, may you see your children’s children (Psalm 128:1-6).
 
What does it mean to fear the Lord? We need to understand the importance and value of carrying the fear of the Lord in our hearts. Psalm 128 equates the fear of the Lord with the blessings of the Lord upon us. Those blessings include:
 

• Walking in God’s ways. (His ways will keep us from wasting our energy by walking in the wrong ways that lead to destruction).

• Honorable work and adequate supply.

• A happy disposition.

• Well being (it is well with your soul).

• A fruitful, flowing, fulfilling family life, with an abundance of good things. 

• Longevity.

 
The fear of the Lord should motivate us to draw near to the Lord, not to hide from Him. We don’t fear the Lord because He is bad, mean, and unfair, we fear Him because He is good, righteous and just. 
 
Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
  And grace my fears relieved;
How precious did that grace appear
  The hour I first believed!

-Amazing Grace, John Newton
 
In Nehemiah 5:1 the KJV translation uses the word “terrible” to describe God. In the NKJV translation the word “terrible” is replaced with the word ‘awesome”. This not a contradiction. Both words accurately describe the Lord. At one time, the word “terrible” meant that the Lord was to be revered, that we should be in holy awe of Him, and give Him our highest honor and deepest respect. The word “awesome” comes from the word “awe” and carries the same measure of honor, respect and reverence as “terrible”.
 
Insight: “Awesome” is a God word. God is the “awe” in awesome. The word “awesome” is misused when God is removed from the meaning.
 
Insight: Nehemiah 5:1 tells us that God is “terribly awesome” because He faithfully keeps His covenant promises and because He is merciful to those who love Him and observe His commandments.
 
And I said: “I pray, Lord God of heaven, O great and awesome God, You who keep Your covenant and mercy with those who love You and observe Your commandments (Nehemiah 1:5 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
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A Devotional Journey Through the Psalms: Psalm 127

A Devotional Journey Through the Psalms: Psalm 127
-Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow

Unless the Lord builds the house,
They labor in vain who build it;
Unless the Lord guards the city,
The watchman stays awake in vain (Psalm 127:1).
 
Many people spend a lot of their time and energy building an image, a reputation, a career, a portfolio or a bank account to help them achieve security, independence, comfort, pleasure or fame.
 
God is a builder. A good builder. God builds things that honor and glorify Him. He builds what matters most, and what He builds has eternal value. He is building His church, He is building our faith, our character, our values, our hopes, our endurance, our influence and our love.
 
We have been called to be wise builders and to build upon the foundation of Jesus Christ and His words. God is not looking for us to build something so He can join us but He wants us to join Him in what He is building.
 
Love His ways even though they may not be your ways; 
Take His hand even though it means letting go of what you are hanging on to; 
Depend upon His strength even though you are aware of your weakness; 
Please His heart even though it means not having the approval of others; 
Wait for His time even though you desire to do it now; 
Trust His Word even though you hear something different from other sources; 
Follow His path even though it takes you through deep valleys and rugged hills;
Trust His wisdom even though you don’t understand all He’s doing;
Give Him praise even though you wish things were different;
Be at rest even though you’re tempted to worry and fear. 
 
Insight: Independent building apart from God only leads to the emptiness and futility of wood, hay and stubble.
 
Insight: And now I entrust you to God and the message of His grace that is able to build you up and give you an inheritance with all those He has set apart for Himself (Acts 20:32 NLT).

#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
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A Devotional Journey Through the Psalms: Psalm 126

A Devotional Journey Through the Psalms: Psalm 126
-Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow

When the Lord brought back the captivity of Zion,
We were like those who dream.
Then our mouth was filled with laughter,
And our tongue with singing.
Then they said among the nations,
“The Lord has done great things for them.”
The Lord has done great things for us,
And we are glad (Psalm 126:1-3).
 
Before I decided to write my memoir, I knew the title would come from verse one of Psalm 126, “like those who dream.” Those words touched me deeply as a Jewish believer who had returned to the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob through faith in Jesus, God’s chosen Messiah.
 
Psalm 126 brings to mind the many contrasts between our rebellious responses to God and His merciful responses to us. We walk away from Him and He draws us back, we break our word and He keeps His promise, we plug our ears to His voice and He hears our cries for deliverance.
 
The story of the prodigal son in Luke 15 has some important similarities to Psalm 126. In both accounts we discover not only the emptiness of the wander’s journey, but the joy-filled celebration of the father, welcoming home the son who had been lost.
 
I haven’t done this before in our devotional journey through the Psalms, but I would like to make the following request…

If you have a family member who has walked away from the Lord, or if you have a friend who is living in bondage because of personal disobedience to God, please pray for that person now. Ask God to bring restoration and renewal…and may verse 1-3 of Psalm 126 be fulfilled to the fullest measure within that person’s heart.
 
Renewed
 
My steps, my times, my plans, Lord,
are daily in your hands—
as a yielded servant,
I wait on Your command.
 
I want to seek your kingdom,
and have You reign in me—
so I can live before You,
as one that’s been set free.
 
I cast my cares upon You,
and trust You for each day—
I want the course You set for me,
to be what I obey.
 
I have no expectations,
there only is Your will—
no need to strive and worry,
my heart has been made still.
 
Yet as I learn about You,
I’ve come to realize—
You do so many little things,
that take me by surprise.
 
Each day is an adventure,
as I set my heart on You—
my mind’s in constant wonder,
when I see all that You do.
 
I’ll let You do Your work, Lord,
just have Your perfect way—
and I’ll enjoy the new things,
You have for me each day!
 
Insight: This is worth repeating:
When the Lord brought back the captivity of Zion,
We were like those who dream.
Then our mouth was filled with laughter,
And our tongue with singing.
Then they said among the nations,
“The Lord has done great things for them.”
The Lord has done great things for us,
And we are glad.

#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
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A Devotional Journey Through the Psalms: Psalm 125

A Devotional Journey Through the Psalms: Psalm 125
-Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow

Those who trust in the Lord Are like Mount Zion,
Which cannot be moved, but abides forever.
As the mountains surround Jerusalem,
So the Lord surrounds His people
From this time forth and forever (Psalm 125:1-2).
 
Are you uncertain about tomorrow? Trust in the Lord.
Are your resources about to run dry? Trust in the Lord.
Are you unsure about your next steps? Trust in the Lord.
 
You will keep in perfect peace
 all who trust in you,
 all whose thoughts are fixed on you!
Trust in the Lord always,
 for the Lord God is the eternal Rock.
Isaiah 26:3-4 NLT
 
Early in my Christian life I experienced a time of deep discouragement. I was attending Bible college, but things weren’t turning out the way I had hoped. My future looked uncertain and my present circumstances were filled with doubts.
 
One day while walking across campus I noticed a folded paper and picked it up. Out of curiosity, I unfolded the paper to see if anything was written inside. I found no name, only the following…
 
O you of little faith,
God has not failed you yet!
When all looks dark and gloomy,
Do you so soon forget—
 
Forget that He has led you,
And gently cleared your way;
On clouds has poured His sunshine
And turned your night to day.
 
And if He's helped you hitherto,
He will not fail you now;
How it must wound His loving heart
To see you anxious brow!
 
Oh! Doubt not any longer,
To Him commit your way,
Whom in the past you trusted,
And is "just the same today."
 
When I finished reading the poem I was overcome with wonder. It was a word from heaven that calmed my anxious heart and renewed my trust in God’s plan for my life.

(I have since learned that the poem is from the hymn "Jesus Never Fails" written by Arthur Abner Luther.)

Insight: “Trust in the Lord” is not a Biblical slogan, it is the disposition of a heart set upon God’s faithfulness.

#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.
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A Devotional Journey Through the Psalms: Psalm 124

A Devotional Journey Through the Psalms: Psalm 124

-Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow

Our help is in the name of the Lord,

Who made heaven and earth (Psalm 124:8).

 
We ask God for help for two main reasons:
1. We need help.
2. God is our Helper.
Our help is in the name of the Lord,
Who made heaven and earth (Psalm 124:8).
 
Question: What kind of a Helper is God? 
Answer: A very present one!
God is our refuge and strength, 
 A very present help in trouble (Psalm 46:1 NKJV).
 
Question: Why does God help you? 
Answer: He is for you!
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? (Romans 8:31-31).
 
Question: What attributes qualify God to help you? 
Answer: His power and authority to make heaven and earth! 
My help comes from the Lord, 
Who made heaven and earth (Psalm 124:8).
 
Question: How will God’s help impact you personally?
Answer: Joyfully!
Joyful are those who have the God of Israel as their helper, whose hope is in the Lord their God (Psalm 146:5 NLT).
 
The following true story is a joyful example of how God can help us in our time of need…
 
My wife and I were one of three missionary couples living in Valle De Bravo, in Southern Mexico. We were all graduates of the same Bible college and were sent by the school to explore the possibility of establishing a new home base for missionary outreach in that part of Mexico.
 
Because none of us were familiar with Southern Mexico we decided to spend time becoming more familiar with the area. One day the three guys decided to make an overnight exploratory trip to the city of Oaxaca. Our purpose was to see if there was any missionary work being done in the city.
 
It was a difficult trip through a high mountain range and over a narrow mountain road. We were halfway through the mountains when we heard a loud explosion. Our pickup truck jerked to the right, and we immediately knew we had a tire blowout. The one driving cautiously slowed the truck down and maneuvered it as close as he could to the side of the mountain. After setting the emergency brake, the three of us got out to inspect the damage.
 
"The tire is completely ruined," said Jerry, the one who was doing the driving. "I cannot repair it, and I have no spare. There's nothing I can do."

We stood there, at peace but completely puzzled. We let down the tailgate of the truck and used it for a bench. Together we prayed, asking God for help. No sooner had we said "Amen” than when an oversized van came around the bend of the road and pulled up behind us.
 
Out stepped a tall American. He introduced himself and asked if he could be of any help. After we told him our story, he smiled and said, "I think I have an extra tire in the back of my van that is the same size as yours. Let me check." A few moments later he returned, rolling a tire. It was the exact size we needed!
 
He visited with us while we changed tires. As we talked, we discovered he was a missionary who lived in Oaxaca. He had been in the States for about six weeks and was returning to the city. He invited us to come to his home when we arrived in Oaxaca. This stranger became the perfect contact we needed to fulfill the purpose of our journey in every detail!
 
Insight: Think about it, when you are asking God for help, you are asking the One who is omniscient and omnipotent. That means He knew about your need for help before you did, and He knew what He was going to do to provide the answer.
 
Insight: We cannot look to a natural or human source to meet our spiritual needs. As followers of the Lord we don’t need to look to other advisors to come up with better options, we don’t need to look to other leaders to come up with better plans, and we don’t need to look to other counselors to come up with better advice. There is no better source than the Lord!
 
Insight: What a joy it is for those who know God as their Helper. How sad it is for those who don’t!

#psalms #devotional #devotion #roylessin #meetinginthemeadow
©2026 Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow. Photo by Marina Bromley. Used with permission, all rights reserved.
 
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A Devotional Journey Through the Psalms: Psalm 123

A Devotional Journey Through the Psalms: Psalm 123
-Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow

Unto You I lift up my eyes, O You who dwell in the heavens.
Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their masters,
As the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress,
So our eyes look to the Lord our God, Until He has mercy on us (Psalm 123:1-3).

As God’s children, we are not looking for God, we are looking to God as our Father and Provider. He is the One we focus our faith upon, the One we depend upon, and the One we cast our cares upon.  As His servants we look to Him to extend His hand of mercy, favor, and grace to us in our time of need.

Mercy is a glorious word that expresses God’s tenderness to us. It is found dozens of times throughout the Psalms. Mercy is an extension of God’s goodness, lovingkindness, and compassion towards us. Mercy is God’s hand reaching down in kindness to lift up the weak, to mend the broken, to restore the depleted, and to refresh the weary.

Many years ago, my wife and I were driving from Arkansas to visit family in Los Angeles. We reached the California border during the early evening of the second day of our trip. I was driving and felt I still had enough energy to make it to our destination.

However, my wife was very road weary and asked if we could stop at the next motel and spend the night. I told her I was okay to drive and wanted to keep going until we got to LA.

A few minutes later she told me again how tired she was and needed to stop. Once again, I told her I was fine and started giving her my list of reasons why I wanted to keep going. Before I could finish, she interrupted me and said, “I don’t need a list of reasons, I just need some mercy. Can you please find a motel.” Her need finally got through to me!
I changed my plans and pulled into the first motel I saw.

This is our comfort, that with the Lord there is mercy and we need desire no more to relieve us, and make us easy, than the mercy of God. Whatever the troubles, God's mercy is a sovereign remedy. -Matthew Henry

Insight: A merciful God is not a hard taskmaster. When we ask Him for mercy, He understands the need and responds with tenderness, kindness and compassion.

#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.
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Meeting in the Meadow

A Devotional Journey Through the Psalms: Psalm 122

A Devotional Journey Through the Psalms: Psalm 122
-Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow

I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go into the house of the Lord.”
Our feet have been standing Within your gates, O Jerusalem!
Jerusalem is built As a city that is compact together,
Where the tribes go up, The tribes of the Lord,
To the Testimony of Israel, To give thanks to the name of the Lord.
For thrones are set there for judgment, The thrones of the house of David.
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: “May they prosper who love you.
Peace be within your walls, Prosperity within your palaces.”
For the sake of my brethren and companions, I will now say, “Peace be within you.”
Because of the house of the Lord our God I will seek your good (Psalm 122:1-9).
 
Jerusalem is a reminder that what happened to a place can also happen to a person—what was lost can be found, what was ruined can be restored, and what was left desolate can become prosperous and fruitful.
 
The city of Jerusalem is like no other city. God put His name there, His Temple there, His Son there, and poured out the Holy Spirit there. Jesus shed His blood there, rose from the dead there, ascended to heaven there, and will be returning there when He comes again (Zechariah 14:4). Needless to say, Jerusalem’s future is as bright as the promises of God, and so is your future.
 
What do you have going for you today as you await the second coming of the Lord?
 

• The promises of the Scriptures

• The prayers and fellowship of God's people

• The ministry of heaven’s Angels

• The intercession of your heavenly High Priest

• The grace and peace of God

• The blessings of the Lord

• The love of the Father

• The life of Jesus

• The presence and power of the Holy Spirit

Insight: The resurrection and the judgment will demonstrate before all worlds who won and who lost. We can wait." A.W. Tozer
 
Insight: Jesus is not coming back because someone we know says so. Jesus is coming back because God says so.

#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.
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Meeting in the Meadow

A Devotional Journey Through the Psalms: Psalm121

A Devotional Journey Through the Psalms: Psalm121
-Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow
 
I will lift up my eyes to the hills—From whence comes my help?
My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth.
My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth.
He will not allow your foot to be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber.
Behold, He who keeps Israel Shall neither slumber nor sleep.
The Lord is your keeper; The Lord is your shade at your right hand.
The sun shall not strike you by day, Nor the moon by night.
The Lord shall preserve you from all evil; He shall preserve your soul.
The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in From this time forth, and even forevermore (Psalm 121:1-8).
 
 
I found real help when I stopped looking in the wrong places, stopped depending on the wrong things, and stopped leaning on the wrong people. I found my help in the Helper, the Lord God Almighty, and the One who reigns on high and reaches down to lift up the lowly.
 
He not only gives help, He is the help! The reasons to trust Him as my true Helper are endless—after all He is the One who formed, shaped, and brought me into being...He created everything that exists beneath my feet, above my head, and all around me. The Maker of it all is the Helper in it all. He is The Helper at sunrise, through the day, at sunset, and during the night. I can live and thrive with help like that!
 
My Helper, God, is a “won't-allower”! He won't allow my foot to be moved. That doesn't mean I am frozen in place...rather, it means I can totally trust Him not to lead me to places that have slippery slopes or instruct me to build my life upon shaky foundations.
 
My Helper, God, is also a “won't-sleeper”! He does not nap and doesn't go to bed early...He is a 24/7 Helper...no one else can be that kind of helper...not even close!
 
My Helper, God, also puts around me a hedge with super hybrid thorns that causes any would-be intruder to be totally miserable, leaving them fully regretting their attempt to enter a "no trespassing zone."
 
No one is going to be able to sneak up on my Helper in the shadows of day, or in the darkness of night. And when I'm walking in the bright sun I won't need an umbrella to shade me...my Helper will provide me with all the shade I need by simply placing His hand above my head. At night, when the light of the moon is dim, I still have all the light I need to take the next step safely.
 
My Helper, God, is my Watchman. He is my preserver because He is my observer...He knows everything about me and everything that is going on around me. Nothing gets past Him, or sneaks around Him to get to me.
 
What is even more wonderful is that He is my traveling companion. When I travel from home I don't leave my Helper behind, in fact, He blazes the trail before me and gets me to my appointed destination. When it's time to return home, He is my personal escort, and the first greeter to welcome me home.
 
Insight: Psalm 121 is perfect for personalization. As you read through it, read in your name wherever you find a pronoun.

#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.
Blessed Day Cards
Meeting in the Meadow