A Devotional Journey Through the Psalms: Psalm 26

A Devotional Journey Through the Psalms: Psalm 26
-Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow

Examine me, O Lord, and prove me; Try my mind and my heart (Psalm 26:2).

The next time you do something good, don’t be surprised if God’s response is not “Well done”, but rather, “Why did you do it?”

For a few years I managed the Editorial Department at DaySpring Cards. One day, as I walked past one of the workers, I tapped their shoulder and said, “You’re doing great work. Thanks.”

After giving my compliment I went to my office. As I headed to my desk I suddenly heard the still small voice of the Holy Spirit speaking to my heart.

“What was that all about?” I knew the Lord had heard my comment, but I also knew the Lord saw my motive behind the compliment. 

What sounded like a word of appreciation from a manager to a worker was actually a word of manipulation. Hidden away in my heart was a desire to be recognized and appreciated by those who were above me. I really wanted that worker to continue to do good work so I could continue to look good as a manager.

Insight: It’s better to have God’s approval, even if others disapprove.

Insight: Do what you do to please the Lord, and let your motivation also be pleasing to Him.

Insight: A simple prayer…”Lord, I choose to do what I am doing as unto You and for You.”

Restore, Renew and Refresh in the Psalms

Green Pastures. Quiet Waters. Righteous Paths.

meetinginthemeadow.com

 
#psalms #devotional #devotion #roylessin #meetinginthemeadow

©2026 Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow. Photos by Marina Bromley. Used with permission, all rights reserved.

A Devotional Journey Through the Psalms: Psalm 25

A Devotional Journey Through the Psalms: Psalm 25
-Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow

O my God, I trust in You; Let me not be ashamed; Let not my enemies triumph over me. To You, O Lord, I lift up my soul. Indeed, let no one who waits on You be ashamed; Let me not be ashamed, for I put my trust in You. Let integrity and uprightness preserve me, For I wait for You. Redeem Israel, O God, Out of all their troubles! (Psalm 25:1-3, 20-22).
 
Back in the seventies there was a song written by Andre Crouch titled ‘Through It All’. Here is a portion of the song’s lyrics…
 
Through it all
Mm, Through it all
I've learned to trust in Jesus
I've learned to trust in God
Let me tell you that
Through it all, oh
Through it all
I've learned to depend upon His Word.

The chorus…
I thank God for the mountains,
and I thank Him for the valleys,
I thank Him for the storms He brought me through.
For if I'd never had a problem,
I wouldn't know God could solve them,
I'd never know what faith in God could do.

Andre Crouch was not a man who lived his life on “flowery beds of ease”. He was a man, however, who had put his trust in the Lord. In that trust was included Andre’s desire for a wife. He wrote Through It All, not after he found the love of his life, but after he had lost the love of his life when she walked away from their relationship and married someone else instead.

The loss broke his heart and brought him into deep sadness. But Andre’s life wasn’t ruined. The opposite is true. God’s favor rested upon Andre, and the song that was born out of his deep trial has been used to bring comfort and hope to a countless number of believers who have walked through great trials and broken hearts.
 
Insight: A life of ease has never been the lifestyle of those who walk with the Lord.

Insight: As you wait for the Lord and upon the Lord, it is important to remember that He WILL redeem you OUT of troubles, not FROM troubles.

Restore, Renew and Refresh in the Psalms

Green Pastures. Quiet Waters. Righteous Paths.

meetinginthemeadow.com

 

#psalms #devotional #devotion #roylessin #meetinginthemeadow

©2026 Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow. Photo by April Mullen. Used with permission, all rights reserved.

A Devotional Journey Through the Psalms: Psalm 24

A Devotional Journey Through the Psalms: Psalm 24
-Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow

Lift up your heads, O you gates! And be lifted up, you everlasting doors! And the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, The Lord mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O you gates! Lift up, you everlasting doors! And the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, He is the King of glory. Selah (Psalm 24:7-10).
 
Gates and doors are entry ways and exit ways. They welcome the welcomed in and keep the unwelcome out. 
 
There are many things in our lives that represent gates and doors. Our thoughts have gates and doors, so do our hearts, our souls, and our spirits.

A handshake, a smile, a hug, or a kind act can all be indicators of a door being opened in our lives to let someone in as a new acquaintance or as a friend.

Behind every gate or door is a gatekeeper. Gatekeepers are represented by our wills. We are the ones who decide who can come into our lives or be kept away.

Psalm 24 tells us there is someone who wants to enter our lives. The relationship he wants to have with us is like no other. It is the Lord who is knocking. He is not seeking a casual acquaintance or someone to hang out with. It is the King of glory who wants entrance! He doesn’t want to come in for a visit or to give you a few tips on how to live. A king comes in to takeover.

Insight: A king has the authority to reign and rule. No wonder so many keep the gates and doors of their hearts closed and locked so the King of Glory can’t come in.

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

 
#psalms #devotional #devotion #roylessin #meetinginthemeadow

©2026 Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow. Photo by Marina Bromley. Used with permission, all rights reserved.

A Devotional Journey Through the Psalms: Psalm 23

A Devotional Journey Through the Psalms: Psalm 23
-Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever (Psalm 23).
 
This simple story takes us to the heart of Psalm 23, one of the most beloved portions of Scripture ever written…
 
At a social function, an aged minister asked an actor who was in attendance to recite something from memory. The actor, thinking to please the minister, decided to recite the Twenty-Third Psalm.

With perfect diction, elocution and in delicate shades of tone, he repeated the psalm in a manner that caused the audience to reveal their enthusiastic praise and applause.
 
Afterward, the actor, in order to honor the minister, asked if he would recite something for them. The minister could not think of anything and decided, if it was okay with everyone present, to repeat the Twenty-Third Psalm. Quietly, prayerfully, he slowly began to speak out the psalm as it came to mind. At its end, those in attendance sat hushed.
 
Taking the preachers hand in his, the actor said, “We both know the psalm, but it is clear to us all, that you know the Shepherd.”
 
Insight: Sheep don’t need a plan, they need a shepherd!

Restore, Renew and Refresh in the Psalms

Green Pastures. Quiet Waters. Righteous Paths.

meetinginthemeadow.com

 
#psalms #devotional #devotion #roylessin #meetinginthemeadow

©2026 Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow. Photo by Marina Bromley. Used with permission, all rights reserved.
 

A Devotional Journey Through the Psalms: Psalm 22

A Devotional Journey Through the Psalms: Psalm 22

-Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow

 

A posterity shall serve Him. It will be recounted of the Lord to the next generation, They will come and declare His righteousness to a people who will be born, That He has done this (Psalm 22:30-31).

 

From the moment of the fall of the human race in the garden, God’s redemptive work of forgiveness and salvation began to be revealed…And the story continues to be told from generation to generation.

 

At the end of the 19th century an organization called Gideons International was formed. One of their goals was to place copies of the Bible in public places such as hotels, hospitals, and prisons.

 

Approximately 50 years later a Bible was placed in a Las Vegas hotel room by a member of the Gideons. My father, an Orthodox Jew, was staying at that hotel. He was gambling in the hotel casino but became restless. He returned to his room, and to his surprise, discovered a Gideon Bible in his nightstand. Curiously, he began to read. The next morning, after stealing the Bible and hiding it in his suitcase, he checked out of the hotel.

 

Six months later, he was reading in the book of Isaiah. As he read chapter 53, his spiritual eyes were opened to see that Jesus was the Messiah of whom Isaiah spoke. That day he became a believer and a follower of his Messiah.

 

Since that time the salvation that he found in Jesus Christ has been heard and received by his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. From generation to generation, God’s light continues to shine. As Psalm 22 declares, “This is a work that God has done.”

Insight: How much does Jesus love you? He loved you to death!

Insight: Jesus’ suffering upon the cross was for you so you could be forgiven and have eternal life. Be His light to your generation. “May the Lamb that was slain receive the reward of His suffering.”

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

#psalms #devotional #devotion #roylessin #meetinginthemeadow

©2026 Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow. Photo by Marina Bromley. Used with permission, all rights reserved.