As for Me: Life Through the Lens of the PsalmsSample

Why the Psalms?

Have you ever wondered what Jesus’ day-to-day life looked like? I have often wished I could be a fly on the wall of Jesus’ world to see His expressions, hear the warmth of His voice, and melt into one of His hugs. I wonder what it was like to see His habits and quirks firsthand. Did He snort when He laughed? Did He act quieter and more reserved when He was tired? Was He a morning person or a night owl? What was the cadence of His voice when He taught and read Scripture? How exactly did He pray? Which words would He emphasize? Where did He pause in wonder?

The book of Psalms connects some of these dots for me. Jesus quoted from Psalms more than any other book in the Old Testament. It’s safe to say He loved this book. It was woven into the fabric of His life and should be woven into ours.

As we journey through Psalms, we will experience the authors’ suffering, hurt, rejection, abandonment, deliverance, salvation, exaltation, victory, and great joy. It is a book full of every emotion imaginable, and, at times, it can be messy—just like life. Because Jesus often referenced this ancient book of poetry that is filled with such rawness and honesty, I know I have the freedom to be raw and transparent with Him, too.

I pray that we will experience the fullness of what God has for us and that none of us will get left behind in our journeys of growing in Him.

Spend a few minutes in prayer. Ask the Lord to open the eyes of your heart to understand and know Him more deeply through His Word. Now, read Psalm 1 to prepare your mind for the week ahead.