July 4, 2019 
The word Sabbath means to cease.  So as Dr. Brooks is away on sabbatical, we will be using his original devotionals from 2009 on the book of Psalms.  He will resume The Bible Project devotionals upon his return.  Thank you for reading with us and praying for him as he replenishes his soul for the next seven years of ministry.
Psalm 30
I will exalt you, Lord,
    for you lifted me out of the depths
    and did not let my enemies gloat over me.
Lord my God, I called to you for help,
    and you healed me.
You, Lord, brought me up from the realm of the dead;
    you spared me from going down to the pit.
Sing the praises of the Lord, you his faithful people;
    praise his holy name.
For his anger lasts only a moment,
    but his favor lasts a lifetime;
weeping may stay for the night,
    but rejoicing comes in the morning.
When I felt secure, I said,
    “I will never be shaken.”
Lord, when you favored me,
    you made my royal mountain stand firm;
but when you hid your face,
    I was dismayed.
To you, Lord, I called;
    to the Lord I cried for mercy:
“What is gained if I am silenced,
    if I go down to the pit?
Will the dust praise you?
    Will it proclaim your faithfulness?
Hear, Lord, and be merciful to me;
    Lord, be my help.”
You turned my wailing into dancing;
    you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,
that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent.
    Lord my God, I will praise you forever.

New International Version (NIV)
David never dedicated the temple which he wanted to build.  But if we could DNA test the original temple we would find David's fingerprints everywhere.  He planned for the temple and set aside the materials from his own treasury to build it.  Solomon had the privilege of completing his father's dream.  David even wrote a song for the dedication.  This psalm is that song.    

How could David ever forget the depths from which God had lifted him?  Again and again, God had spared his life.  So David invites others to join the song of praise.  Why would we praise God today?  His anger lasts only a moment but his favor lasts a lifetime.  God punishes sin, but God also forgives us and restores us.  "Weeping may endure for a night . . ."  Is that where we are today?  Is this the dark night of the soul when weeping continues?  Good news:  "Rejoicing comes in the morning." 

David knew the genuine grief of one who had broken God's heart.  Thankfully, he also knew the song of the redeemed.  God turned his wailing into dancing, exchanging garments of sackcloth for the clothing of joy.  David never dedicated the temple here, but he saw the future when he said, "O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever."

Is there some great thing that God wants to do through you today?  Or is it ours like David to make preparation for a project that others will bring to completion.  No matter:  our hearts will sing, for we can not be silent.  "His love is the theme of our song.  Redeemed, redeemed, redeemed by the blood of the lamb.  His child and forever I am."  
This year our Every Day with Jesus readings will follow The Bible Project Read Scripture Plan.  Copies of this reading plan are available at Tallowood Baptist Church, or download 
the app at readscripture.org.  Read through the Bible with us in 2019!
Joyfully, 
Duane 

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