David Kitz. Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer Volume 1. Plymouth, MA: Elk Lake Publishing, Inc., December 2nd, 2020. 262 pp.
5 out of 5
Purchase: Amazon
Are you looking for a new devotional through the Psalms? Bible dramatist, author, minister and blogger David Kitz has written the first installment of his 365 days devotionals on the Psalms. This book goes up to Psalm 51. After reading and using this devotional I hope there will be future volumes from the author and the publisher.
This book consists of a hundred twenty days’ worth of devotional reading. I appreciate the format of this work. With a title of what day it is of the reading (Day 1, Day 2, etc) there’s a thought-provoking title such as “Are you ready to be tested?” “Are you afraid of the dark?” and “Learning in the School of Hard Knocks.” This is followed by “Today’s Reading” that tells us where to read from the Psalms and the key verse being quoted from the New International Version translation of the Bible. Following this there’s three section with the devotional: Reflections which expound on the key verse and meditative thought and applications followed by “Response” that is a written short prayer and “Your Turn” which are closing application questions.
There’s a lot of good materials in this devotional. The first days’ devotion already had me glued when David Kitz noted how there’a theme in the Bible from beginning to end being about “trees:” There’s the tree of the fruit of the knowledge of good and evil but also the tree of life in the first book of the Bible but laso how in the last chapter of the Bible in Revelation 22:1-5 we see the Tree of Life! Of course in between there’s also the tree in Calvary, the cross and the author pointed out how the beauty of that tree, with the horrific event of the crucifixion of the Messiah, is beautiful because it is the work of our salvation by Jesus, who loved us enough to redeem us from hell!
I absolutely love Messianic prophecies and it’s joyful to see the author interpreted these passages as Messianic prophecies and pointed us to Jesus! In particular I really the discussions on Psalms 22 and the book doesn’t cram that Psalm all in one day but spread it out for several days and key verses from that rich Psalm. I love it!
Overall it’s the book’s practical bent in reading the Psalms to love Jesus that I appreciate the most and which makes it accessible for all as a devotional. I enjoyed for instance Day 34’s look at Psalms 20:4 and the author asking if we pray for the success of others as an application. Convicting and yet thoughtful of what loving others looks like. There is a lot of moments of praising and adoring and thanking God reading this book and also it was hard not to put down (I “binged” read the first fifty pages in one sitting). Anything that lead readers to think more about God biblically and also look at the Scriptures is worth purchasing! I recommend this book.
I have been working through God’s love of trees with some friends here! This has me hooked!
Wow! Is this a discussion, enjoying the winter snow of looking at white trees outside and a study of biblical theology of trees?
Ha, no but it could be! It’s amazing to think how many covenants between God and man (ie God and Abraham) and man with man are made centered around trees in the Bible. The New Covenant began with Jesus’s death on tree. This is not to say all the different kinds of choice wood the Lord wants employed in the Ark, Temple etc. I hope when y’all burn that balsam and cedar candle you will also see God’s love for trees as well as Jesus being the Light of the World!!
I greatly appreciate the positive review.
God bless you for writing this devotional
Thanks for the recommendation. I love Psalms and the prophetic insights about Jesus the Messiah.
Blessings!
Thank you for sharing this review. Now I’m going to have to look both the book and David Kitz’s blog. Blessings.
[…] Review: Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer Volume 1 […]
This is an interesting book to explore in the local bookstore after this pandemic and to start on January 1, 2022. Thank you, Jim!
Good idea, this would be good for a new start of a devotional choice for 2021. Hope your day is going well brother, glad to see you online once again!
True, Jim, January 1 should be the start of reading a devotional. Actually, in 2013 I just read Harold Sala’s Finding Refuge and Strength devotional. In 2014, I read 2 devotionals every night, by John MacArthur (Strength for Today) and Chuck Swindoll. These helped me in my walk by faith. But with this pandemic and vaccine be available here in the country either 2nd or 3rd quarter of 2021, so going to the bookstore takes time, hence, January 1, 2022 is the possible and ideal start of reading.
“Psalms 365” should be available for order through local bookstores. It’s available now through Amazon.
Thank you for the information. Psalms will be a good one year study for me and your book is in my priority list for day one 2022. I’ll go to the local bookstores once vaccines are rolled out in the Philippines.
Thanks for the very descriptive review of this devotional! OT Messianic prophecies are the best! Man, you are on a devotional roll!
You’re welcome! Yeah, I’m trying to finish up this year the books I’m reading and plus the next few days I’m also writing up reviews of books that I put off writing reviews the last few months; its easier to read, take notes and meditated than to write up reviews, I think you have the same experience and outlook as me here right?
RE: the same experience and outlook in regards to writing reviews
Yes. Absolutely. I value writing reviews to a degree because it forces me to contemplate the main themes/messages of a book, but it can also be a drudgery, especially if I was not all that fond of a book.
Thank you. Sounds like a great resource.
Thanks for the comments! I enjoyed this devotional and indeed a great resource! Hope your weather is not too hot! Would love it to be warm right now in California, lol.
Hasn’t been a killer summer in Sydney so far . I am hoping for snow 🤣
Merry Christmas GP! Love the picture! I hope you be able to enjoy a blessed Christmas, any plans for that day or will you guys have things low key because of the virus?
Definitely low key.
Jim, thanks for sharing this review. The Psalms bring me unique opportunities to reflect upon as well as to praise our Lord. Your mention of Psalm 22 stirred me to look at some of my notes (there is a reminder to look at both 22 and 69 together for my own study and writing. God’s peace!
Thanks for this review…will plan to purchase.
Love your reviews. I Trust them. We need to follow Truth.
Amen we need to follow truth! Hope you are staying warm and dry this time of the year Maw Maw!
I am. Been in 70s but will freeze tomorrow night.
You might enjoy singing some of the psalms as you’ll find them here:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQj9dljI-yb7we0vdtMhBwg
Sounds edifying
Yes, it will build up your faith and understanding of God.