“My Lips Will Shout” - Psalm 71 (Day 5)
All good things come to an end, including this Summer Sabbath devotional series. It seems like we started this journey only yesterday with a question: what if we treated the summer like a Sabbath? For the past ten weeks, we've embraced the disruption summer brings by slowing down and letting the words from the book of Psalms wash over us. By doing so, we gained insight into the profoundness of the human heart and the depth of God's love and faithfulness. In these quiet moments, we sensed God's presence, heard His voice, and gained clarity on the well-being of our souls.
As this is our final Summer Sabbath devotional,, we want to mark a moment with a special time of reflection and worship. We will take a journey through the Psalms one last time together, pausing to read a verse from each week and then leading you through a prayer prompt.
Psalm 1:1-3
Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take
or sit in the company of mockers,
but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,
and who meditates on his law day and night.
Consider the wisdom you’ve gained this summer about your heart as well as God’s heart. Offer up praise for this insight.
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Psalm 23:1-3
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Consider the restoration of your soul that’s taken place during these summer months. Thank God for the stillness and peace you experienced.
Psalm 27:1
The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?
Consider those places where fear attempts to gain its clutches on your heart. Proclaim your trust in God and His protection, presence, and provision.
Psalm 32:1-2
Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.
Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord does not count against them and in whose spirit is no deceit.
Consider the free gift of forgiveness, gracy, and mercy extended to You by Christ. Proclaim that you want to spend your days walking in this freedom.
Psalm 42:5
Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.
Consider where you need to preach to your soul with the truths you’ve learned during the Summer Sabbath journey. Declare your hope in God.
Psalm 46:10
He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”
Consider the places where you feel pressure, fight for control, are attempting to do everything, and find yourself restless. In this moment, simply stop striving and be still and acknowledge that there is only one God and you are not it.
Psalm 51:10-12
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
Consider how your faith has come alive and been made new over these last ten weeks. Thank God for this newness in your faith.
Psalm 63:3
Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you.
Consider how every longing finds its fulfillment in Christ. Pray that a content spirit would define your life.
Psalm 67:1-2
May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine on us—
so that your ways may be known on earth, your salvation among all nations.
Consider where your heart needs to grow for the concerns of others and the world around you. Pray that God would enlarge your heart and use you to make His name known.
Psalm 71:22-23
I will praise you with the harp for your faithfulness, my God; I will sing praise to you with the lyre, Holy One of Israel.
My lips will shout for joy when I sing praise to you—I whom you have delivered.
Close your time with a moment of worship, declaring God’s faithfulness to you.