Meeting in the Meadow, by Roy Lessin

Wednesday, August 5, 2026

A Devotional Journey Through the Psalms: Psalm 90

A Devotional Journey Through the Psalms: Psalm 90
-Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow

Lord, You have been our dwelling place in all generations (Psalm 90:1).

The following illustration will help us gain a fresh understanding of the significance of having the Lord as our dwelling place…

Imagine a hiker is on a walk in the mountains. It's a nice day in late fall when he begins his hike.

Unexpectedly, the weather changes and the temperature drops. Storm clouds gather. The hiker begins to look for shelter. Ahead of him, a few hundred yards off the main trial, he notices a log house.

When he arrives at the house he knocks on the door. There is no answer. As he wonders what to do, the storm begins to unleash its furry. Temperatures plunge, the wind increases and snow begins to fall.

The house is the hiker's only chance to escape the storm. He walks around the house and looks through a few windows. To his delight, he sees food supplies on the shelves, bottled water on the kitchen table, blankets on a chair, warm clothing hanging from hooks on the wall, and a tall pile of firewood next to the fireplace.

Everything the hiker needs is in the house: food, drink, dry clothing, warmth, comfort, shelter.

But he can't get in. He has no key, and the windows and doors are locked. Frustrated, he decides to take another look through a different window. To his surprise, he sees the figure of a man sleeping in an easy chair in the corner of the living room. The hiker realizes that the things he needs can be available to him if he can awaken the man and get him to open the door and invite him in.

The hiker pounds loudly at the door and looks through the window again. He sees the man beginning to stir and get to his feet. The hiker knocks again, excited that help is on the way!

The story of the hiker is not an illustration of what our relationship with God looks like as believers in Jesus Christ. In fact, it is the opposite. We are not trying to gain entrance into God's house, and we do not need to be "pounding on the door of His promises" hoping to get His attention so we can receive what we need and find shelter from the storms of life.
As a believer in Jesus Christ, you are already in the house. You can't plead your way in, you can't buy your way in, and you can't earn your way in.

God welcomed you and brought you into His place of refuge through grace the day you gave your heart to Him.

You are in Christ, not separated from Him; you are a friend, not a stranger; you are an heir, not an alien; you are a child, not an orphan, you are in the household of faith, not an outsider.

As someone who is in God's family, you have complete access to all God has provided for you through His Son—every spiritual blessing is yours; you are complete in Him; He is your life; He is in you and you are in Him; He is your "yes" to every promise.

When you bring your needs to God in prayer, ask, not as an outsider looking in, but as a child who is living in your Father's house. Ask in full assurance of faith. And as you ask, hear Him say, "You will be satisfied with the fullness of My house. Come drink at the stream of My pleasures."

At that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you ( John 14:20 NKJV).

Insight: God’s house is not a building, it’s you!

#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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Monday, August 3, 2026

A Devotional Journey Through the Psalms: Psalm 89

A Devotional Journey Through the Psalms: Psalm 89
-Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow

I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever;
With my mouth will I make known Your faithfulness to all generations. For I have said, “Mercy shall be built up forever; Your faithfulness You shall establish in the very heavens.” And the heavens will praise Your wonders, O Lord;
Your faithfulness also in the assembly of the saints. O Lord God of hosts, Who is mighty like You, O Lord? Your faithfulness also surrounds You.
“But My faithfulness and My mercy shall be with him, And in My name his horn shall be exalted.
Nevertheless My lovingkindness I will not utterly take from him, Nor allow My faithfulness to fail (Psalm 89: 1-2,5,8,24,33).

In our devotional journey through the Psalms, God’s faithfulness is a strong theme. In Psalm 89 it is used six different times. Here is what we discover about God’s faithfulness in these six verses…

God’s faithfulness will never fail or disappear. Every generation from the beginning of time has known and experienced God’s faithfulness. Today, everyone in the body of Christ can raise a banner proclaiming “God is Faithful”. His faithfulness is not an ideal, but a reality. His faithfulness surrounds you, and is with you on every path He leads you and in every trial you walk through. God’s faithfulness is fail proof. HE WILL NOT FAIL!

Our response to God’s faithfulness in our lives is a simple one, it is TRUST! A nineteenth-century writer got it right when she said, “Perfect obedience would be perfect happiness, if we had full confidence in the One we were obeying.”

In our “even though” situations of life our trust in the Lord’s faithfulness can remain firm:

Trust Him as you take His hand, even though it means letting go of what you’re holding on to.
Trust Him as you please His heart, even though it may not please others.
Trust Him as you wait for His time, even though your desire is to get it done now.
Trust Him as you obey His Word, even though you hear something different that is popular.
Trust Him as you follow His path, even though you see a valley ahead.
Trust Him as He shows you His wisdom, even though you would do it differently.

#psalms #devotional #devotion #roylessin #meetinginthemeadow
©2026 Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow. Used with permission, all rights reserved.

Restore, Renew and Refresh in the Psalms
Green Pastures. Quiet Waters. Righteous Paths.
meetinginthemeadow.com
BlessedDayCards.com

Friday, July 31, 2026

A Devotional Journey Through the Psalms: Psalm 88

A Devotional Journey Through the Psalms: Psalm 88
-Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow

O Lord, God of my salvation,
I have cried out day and night before You (Psalm 88:1).

“When the going gets tough, the tough get going” is a popular self-help saying that falls far short of what God has provided for us through His salvation.

Our soul cannot save our soul. Our flesh cannot deliver us from its own weakness. Our own will, no matter how strong or determined it may be, cannot bring us out of bondage and into spiritual freedom.

Psalm 88 is filled with many struggles and troubles of the soul. The cry of the psalmist in verse one is a cry to the Lord. The psalmist did not say to himself “I got this!” He is placing no confidence in himself, in a slogan, in a “higher power”, or in a ten-step plan.

There is only one answer for the troubled soul, one hope for the hopeless, and one security for the insecure. It is God’s salvation! Salvation is a God word, declaring God’s full provision for every troubled soul. Salvation is God’s pathway home for the lost, God’s healing for the broken hearted, and God’s freedom for all who are enslaved by sin.

Salvation frees us from the guilt of the past, gives us a purpose for the present, and brings hope for our future. Salvation is only possible because of God’s mercy and grace. No one can save themselves. Salvation is God’s free gift through Jesus Christ.

Salvation becomes ours when we receive it, not perceive it. It is a gift not a merit. It is perfect and doesn’t need improvement. It is complete and needs nothing added to it. Jesus is God’s only option, there is no other way.

Insight: God isn’t an auctioneer; salvation doesn’t go to the highest bidder.
God isn’t a negotiator; salvation doesn’t go to those looking for a deal.
God isn’t a retailer; salvation doesn’t go to the most loyal customers.
God isn’t a financier; salvation doesn’t go to those who invest.
God is a GIVER; salvation goes to those who receive the gift of His Son.

But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name (John 1:12 NKJV).

Wednesday, July 29, 2026

A Devotional Journey Through the Psalms: Psalm 87

A Devotional Journey Through the Psalms: Psalm 87
-Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow

His foundation is in the holy mountains. The Lord loves the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob. Glorious things are spoken of you, O city of God! Selah
“I will make mention of Rahab and Babylon to those who know Me; Behold, O Philistia and Tyre, with Ethiopia: ‘This one was born there.’ ”And of Zion it will be said, “This one and that one were born in her; And the Most High Himself shall establish her.” The Lord will record, When He registers the peoples: “This one was born there.” Selah. Both the singers and the players on instruments say, “All my springs are in you" (Psalm 87:1-7).

The focus of Psalm 87 is upon the city of Jerusalem (Zion). It stands out above all places upon the earth. It is the only city where God has chosen to put His name (1 Kings 14:21).

Here are some of the things that set Jerusalem apart from other cities:
*Its mountains are called holy.
*The Lord loves its gates more than any other place in Israel.
*It’s spoken of in glorious terms.
*It’s called God’s city.
*It’s an honor to be born there.
*It’s a city of celebration to the Lord.

Why is Jerusalem—the city of peace—so important to every member of the body of Christ, both Jew and Gentile? Because Jerusalem is identified in Scripture as the place where God's plan of redemption will be fully completed in every detail, down to the last prophecy.

It was here…
*Abraham offered Isaac.
*The capital of David’s kingdom was established.
*The Feasts of Passover, Pentecost and Tabernacles were celebrated each year.
*The Temple was built, restored and rededicated.
*Jesus was crucified, buried, and resurrected.
*Jesus ascended to the Father, and where the Holy Spirit was poured out after Jesus’ ascension.
*Jesus will one day return to earth and reign for a thousand years.

Psalm 87 ends with a proclamation we can all rejoice in, “All my springs are in you.” The springs of joy and celebration flow from the springs of Salvation and Living Water that are within us through the presence of the Holy Spirit.

Insight: The Spirit-filled life is joy-filled. That doesn’t mean we are free of hardships and difficulties. It means that the springs of joy within us flow deeper, from a source that is beyond ourselves.

#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.
meetinginthemeadow.com
BlessedDayCards.com

Monday, July 27, 2026

A Devotional Journey Through the Psalms: Psalm 86

A Devotional Journey Through the Psalms: Psalm 86

-Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow

Bow down Your ear, O Lord, hear me; For I am poor and needy. Preserve my life, for I am holy; You are my God; Save Your servant who trusts in You! Be merciful to me, O Lord, For I cry to You all day long. Rejoice the soul of Your servant, For to You, O Lord, I lift up my soul. For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, And abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You. Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer; And attend to the voice of my supplications. In the day of my trouble I will call upon You, For You will answer me. Among the gods there is none like You, O Lord; Nor are there any works like Your works. All nations whom You have made Shall come and worship before You, O Lord, And shall glorify Your name. For You are great, and do wondrous things; You alone are God. Teach me Your way, O Lord; I will walk in Your truth; Unite my heart to fear Your name. I will praise You, O Lord my God, with all my heart, And I will glorify Your name forevermore. For great is Your mercy toward me, And You have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol. O God, the proud have risen against me, And a mob of violent men have sought my life, And have not set You before them. But You, O Lord, are a God full of compassion, and gracious, Longsuffering and abundant in mercy and truth. Oh, turn to me, and have mercy on me! Give Your strength to Your servant, And save the son of Your maidservant.
Show me a sign for good, That those who hate me may see it and be ashamed, Because You, Lord, have helped me and comforted me (Psalm 86:1-17).

Within Psalm 86 are the main building blocks for personal supplications. Let’s take a closer look...

The Need(s)
I am poor.
I am needy.

The Request(s)
Lord, bow down Your ear.
Hear me.
Preserve my life.
Save me.
Be merciful to me.
I cry to you all day long.
Rejoice my soul.
I lift up my soul.
Attend to my supplications.
I call upon you.
Teach me Your way.
Unite my heart to fear your name.
Turn to me, have mercy on me.
Give me your strength.
Save (me) as you did my mother, who served You.
Show me a sign for good (verse 16).

The Provider
The Lord, God.

The Relationship
You are my God.
I am your servant.
I trust in You.
You are good.
You are ready to forgive.
You are abundant in mercy.
You will answer me.
There is none like You.
There are no works like Your works.
You are great.
You do wondrous things.
You alone are God.
I will walk in your Truth.
I will praise You with all my heart.
I will glorify Your name forevermore.
Your mercy is great toward me.
You have delivered my soul.
You are full of compassion and graciousness, long-suffering and abundant in mercy and truth.
You have helped me and comforted me.

The above category “The Relationship” is not at the bottom of this list because it is the least significant category in Psalm 86, but because it is the most significant. It contains the greatest number of references in the Psalm and is the building block upon which the other three categories are anchored.

Insight: Faith-spoken, heart-trusting supplications flow out of the love-building relationship we have with God. We come boldly to Him with our needs because we are confident He hears and He cares.