Listen to Pastor Nick read the Firestarter and the Psalm.

Tap here to participate in a meditation on Psalm 117.

Today’s passage is short enough to be presented in its entirety as the verse for the day. Memorize it, repeating it often throughout the course of your day. Feel the imperative mood in the words Praise and Extol. Sense the connection that this psalm has with the reading from Lamentations on Monday, as we recall the destruction of the two Temples. God has seen to it that this disaster has been surpassed by the temple-body of Jesus, which cannot be destroyed. With God, there is always a way out, even when there does not seem to be one.

May your heart and voice sing out in praise for our God who rebuilds all that is shattered and destroyed in our lives into resurrection, Holy Spirit space—all because God’s love is constant and unfailing.

Psalm 117

What are Bible Breaths? Learn More
Example: Great Your steadfast love toward us v. 2

We continue to read the Psalms in numerical order.

For all the Firestarters I recommend the ebook.  You will have the entire program of well over a thousand of these introductions with you on your phone or tablet. Check the menu options at the site for more information

Listen to Pastor Nick read the Firestarter and 1 Chronicles 15:25-16:3.

(See 1 Sam 6—7; Psalm 105:1–5)

David makes all decisions after prayer, consulting the Lord about the proper order^. “Because you did not carry it the first time, the Lord our God burst out against us because we did not give it proper care.”(15:13). Spend time reflecting what this verse means in terms of your daily priorities.

Notice the frequent references to music as the Ark is returned to Jerusalem. Michal, Saul’s daughter, still carries old resentments and jealousies; she disdains David and his way of worshipping. Is there anything of Michal in you when you see the way others express their praise of God?

Enjoy the psalm that fills chapter 16. Verses in chapter 17 tilt to the coming of Jesus. Much more important than the house that David is going to build for God is the one that God is going to build for him. You and I are to be the ark that carries God!

1 Chronicles 15—17

What are Bible Breaths? Learn More…
Example: I, the ark that carries God 15:1ff

Tuesdays are dedicated to the Old Testament books of history
and the Hebrew “Writings.”
In the season of Pentecost this year we read Proverbs 27—29 and 1 Chronicles.

For all the Firestarters I recommend the ebook.  You will have the entire program of well over a thousand of these introductions with you on your phone or tablet. Check the menu options at the site for more information

Listen to Pastor Nick read the Firestarter and Lamentations 3:19-33.

Is there an anniversary of an event of great sadness for you? For Jewish people, it is “The Ninth of Ab,” the day around now when the Temple of Solomon was destroyed by the Babylonians in 586 B.C. (In 2025: August 3) Also mourned is the Roman destruction in 70 A.D. of the rebuilt Temple. It is a day of complete fast, just as on Yom Kippur. The  Book of Lamentations is read.

We are one with our Jewish brothers and sisters as we all mourn the loss of these sacred sanctuaries. Pray that all people will come to rejoice in the “Third Temple” that will never be destroyed—the Body of Christ in which we live, move and have our being.

Mourn with all those who have sustained great losses in national and personal tragedies. Intercede for them, praying in faith that joy and comfort will rise from the ash heap of their sorrow.

Lamentations 4—5

Mondays are dedicated to the reading of the Hebrew Prophets.
In the season of Pentecost we read Amos to Nahum with Lamentations 4—5 in the Ninth Week.

What are “Bible Breaths”? Learn More…
Example: We are orphans without You. 5:3

For all the Firestarters I recommend the ebook.  You will have the entire program of well over a thousand of these introductions with you on your phone or tablet. Check the menu options at the site for more information.