February 2025
Dear Pinedale Family,
The book of Psalms is unlike any other book in the canon of Scripture. While other books tell stories to serve as examples, or give instructions, or call people to repentance, or even pronounce judgment, the book of Psalms points to how we connect with our Heavenly Father. Psalms is a collection of 150 poems that express a wide variety of emotions, including: love and adoration toward God, sorrow over sin, the battle of fear and trust, dependance on God in times of trouble, and confidence in God’s design and goodness. Some of the best-loved passages in Scripture are found in the Psalms.
When Tim Hanauer presented his idea to ground this year’s 40-day study in the Psalms, I was immediately on-board, but I wondered how we could organize the study into a cohesive devotion volume. Then Tim added the second part of his vision: “Let’s allow people to connect with the Psalms like the Psalmists did — through their own personal experiences with God.” To that end, we decided to give our church the opportunity to tell their stories, and we started with a simple question: “Is there a particular Psalm that especially speaks to your walk with Christ, and why?” That question ignited writers throughout the church, and you are viewing a collection of their stories.
Unlike some editions in the past, you won’t find a specific teaching-theme that ties together each week. Instead, read these devotions like you read the Psalms themselves — interacting with the real-life struggles and celebrations of your Christian brothers and sisters and using them as a springboard to draw closer in your own walk. Each day will be different — we intentionally included stories from writers of varied ages and backgrounds — and each day will be powerful. The key is to connect your story with the stories and Scripture you read each day.
As always, your personal growth over the next 40 days will largely depend on how you approach the opportunity before you. If you will take these 40 days and devote yourself to daily prayer, devotion and reflection, you will grow closer to your Heavenly Father and learn to trust Him with brand-new fervor. Each day, commit to spending 15-20 minutes on this website, reading the daily devotion and the Scripture that goes with it, and praying about what you have learned. As usual, along the way, we will gather regularly to encourage one another and support one another, so commit, also, to being present with your group each week night. And be on the lookout for video content throughout the study — some behind-the-scenes conversations with some of our writers. We pray that by day 40, we will be better connected with both God and the people He has called to this church.
You are looking at a powerful opportunity. Seize it! Allow God to speak to you during the next 40 days, and you can bet you will be different when you reach the last page.
In Christ,
Matthew