Christian Meditation for A Bigger Life with Pastor Dave Cover

Sometimes we feel far away from God. Often that’s because we feel a low-grade guilt for sin in our life. But Psalm 65 shows us that God is not surprised or shocked by our sin. He just wants us to come to him with it. That’s why he has built into these prayers an opportunity for us to come back to him, admit our sin, and trust in his atonement for all of it. And we find that it’s always a relief an...

This podcast is called A Bigger Life because I’m convinced the biggest obstacle to our joy-filled life is when we get hijacked by a smaller narrative for our life. The Bible’s bigger story is the remedy for that. And Psalm 66 gives us an interesting glimpse into the future of that bigger story. Praying this psalm will help you live now with the joy-giving power of that bigger story. Psalm 66:1–12...

Psalm 73 sounds as contemporary as it gets with an honest struggle when we see the lives of those who disregard God as people with better lives. God becomes boring to us. Our Christian life becomes burdensome to us. This is one of those true-to-reality psalms I come back to again and again. Psalm 73:1–3 ESV 1 Truly God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart. 2 But as for me, my feet had...

Sometimes when we’re anxious or worried and we pray, our anxiety and worry seem to get worse. We can’t sleep. What do you do then? Let’s look at this raw reality by meditating on Psalm 77. Psalm 77 ESV A PSALM OF ASAPH. 1 I cry aloud to God, aloud to God, and he will hear me. 2 In the day of my trouble I seek the Lord; in the night my hand is stretched out without wearying; my soul refuses to be c...

When we get the Gospel wrong, we pray wrong. Revelation 5 gives us a glimpse behind the scenes of what the real story and promise of the Gospel is as we join thousands of angels in praise. Revelation 5:1–12 NIV 1 Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals. 2 And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, “Who is...

Imagine the awe of being present before God’s very throne. That’s what John sees in a vision in Revelation 4. And we can imagine that scene as we pray through John’s description of what he saw. Revelation 4:8–11 NIV 8 Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under its wings. Day and night they never stop saying: “‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God A...

Psalm 86 is a good go-to psalm when you want to pray something that re-boots your perspective on your life and problems. It helps you re-focus your trust in God as YOUR God and his steadfast love for YOU.. Psalm 86:2–5 ESV 2 Preserve my life, for I am godly; save your servant, who trusts in you—you are my God. 3 Be gracious to me, O Lord, for to you do I cry all the day. 4 Gladden the soul of your...

When you can hear God speaking specifically to YOU in this passage, he reminds you who HE is and who YOU are and the real story your life is in. Praying through God’s words in this passage is very powerful. Isaiah 44:1–8 NIV 1 “But now listen, Jacob, my servant, Israel, whom I have chosen. 2 This is what the LORD says— he who made you, who formed you in the womb, and who will help you: Do not be a...

When you can hear God speaking specifically to YOU in this passage, you can replace your fear and anxiety with God’s presence and love. Praying through God’s words in this passage is very powerful. Isaiah 42:5–7 NIV 5 This is what God the LORD says— the Creator of the heavens, who stretches them out, who spreads out the earth with all that springs from it, who gives breath to its people, and life...

When you can hear God speaking specifically to YOU in this passage, you can replace fear and anxiety with God’s presence and care. Isaiah 41:8–10 NIV 8 “But you, Israel, my servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, you descendants of Abraham my friend, 9 I took you from the ends of the earth, from its farthest corners I called you. I said, ‘You are my servant’; I have chosen you and have not rejected yo...

LIke Psalm 81, these verses in Isaiah 40 are God speaking to his people. We can get a bigger/truer picture/concept of God’s power, wisdom and care by lifting up our eyes and experience God speaking to us. Isaiah 40:12 NIV Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, or with the breadth of his hand marked off the heavens? Isaiah 40:18 NIV With whom, then, will you compare God? To what ima...

Our lives are always a miserable prison when God gives us over to follow our own stubborn hearts. But we can find true satisfaction by listening to his word and submitting to him. This Psalm is the voice of God to us through the prophet Asaph. Psalm 81:8–16 ESV 8 Hear, O my people, while I admonish you! O Israel, if you would but listen to me! 9 There shall be no strange god among you; you shall n...

Using our imagination, praying through this Psalm helps us see the reality our life is in forever. Psalm 93 1 The LORD reigns; he is robed in majesty; the LORD is robed; he has put on strength as his belt. Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved. 2 Your throne is established from of old; you are from everlasting. 5 Your decrees are very trustworthy; holiness befits your house, O LOR...

How can we worship in the very presence of God? The ancient Temple in the Old Testament is a picture of how we worship Him in Spirit and truth when we enter his presence through Jesus. Psalm 84 ESV A PSALM OF THE SONS OF KORAH. 1 How lovely is your dwelling place, O LORD of hosts! 2 My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the LORD; my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God. 3 Even the...

We can see our sin for what it really is when we compare it to feasting on the abundance of God. Psalm 36 ESV 1 Transgression speaks to the wicked deep in his heart; there is no fear of God before his eyes. 2 For he flatters himself in his own eyes that his iniquity cannot be found out and hated. 3 The words of his mouth are trouble and deceit; he has ceased to act wisely and do good. 4 He plots t...

What would you exchange for the glory of God? The strongest motivation not to sin is when we understand the stupidity of turning from God as our only true satisfaction.  Jeremiah 2:11–13 ESV 11 But my people have changed their glory for that which does not profit. 12 Be appalled, O heavens, at this; be shocked, be utterly desolate, declares the LORD, 13 for my people have committed two evils: they...

We bring God’s power into our lives and circumstances when we learn to give thanks. Psalm 92:1–5 ESV 1 It is good to give thanks to the LORD, to sing praises to your name, O Most High; 2 to declare your steadfast love in the morning, and your faithfulness by night, 3 to the music of the lute and the harp, to the melody of the lyre. 4 For you, O LORD, have made me glad by your work; at the works of...

We can take refuge in God’s presence by seeing him with our imagination in prayer Psalm 91:1–2 ESV 1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say to the LORD, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” 4 his faithfulness is a shield and buckler. Follow Dave Cover on Twitter @davecover.  Like this content? Make sure to share it with...

We can take refuge in God’s mercy for us whenever we approach him in prayer Psalm 57:1–5, 10-11 ESV TO THE CHOIRMASTER: ACCORDING TO DO NOT DESTROY. A MIKTAM OF DAVID, WHEN HE FLED FROM SAUL, IN THE CAVE. 1 Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me, for in you my soul takes refuge; in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge, till the storms of destruction pass by. 2 I cry out to God Most Hig...

We can use our imaginations to seek and “see” God in prayer Psalm 63:1–4 ESV A PSALM OF DAVID, WHEN HE WAS IN THE WILDERNESS OF JUDAH. 1 O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. 2 So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory. 3 Because your steadfast love is bette...

Where can we put our trust in a world this side of the kingdom? To some degree everyone lies. We can only truly depend upon God to be true to his Word. Psalm 12:1–8 ESV 1 Save, O LORD, for the godly one is gone; for the faithful have vanished from among the children of man. 2 Everyone utters lies to his neighbor; with flattering lips and a double heart they speak. 3 May the LORD cut off all flatte...

Even in times where we’re experiencing suffering due to our sin or the sins of others, we can turn our misery into hope when we pray through scripture with God. Lamentations 3:17–24 NIV 17 I have been deprived of peace; I have forgotten what prosperity is. 18 So I say, “My splendor is gone and all that I had hoped from the LORD.” 19 I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the...

How do the Psalms lead us to grow our creative hearts and minds through prayer? We can use our imaginations to overcome our insecurities from the advantage of seeing God all around us. Psalm 31 ESV 1 In you, O LORD, do I take refuge; let me never be put to shame; in your righteousness deliver me! 2 Incline your ear to me; rescue me speedily! Be a rock of refuge for me, a strong fortress to save me...

We want to trust in God, but it's not as easy as it sounds. Trials come, and things get in the way. But it goes even deeper than that. Find out what really keeps us from trusting God ashttps://www.thecrossingchurch.com/staff/dave-cover/ ( Pastor Dave Cover) discusses and prays throughhttps://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+52&version=ESV ( Psalm 52 ESV): 1 Why do you boast of evil, O mi...

God knows what we need, but we should still ask. It's important that we acknowledge our dependence on him and his overwhelming capability to take care of us. Join in ashttps://www.thecrossingchurch.com/staff/dave-cover/ ( Pastor Dave Cover) discusses and prays through this topic inhttps://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+71&version=ESV ( Psalm 71 ESV): 1 In you, O Lord, do I take refuge;...