"God is faithful even when life isn't 'up and to the right'." Watermark Elder, Todd Anders, joins Lauren Atkinson on today's episode to unpack Psalm 132 and encourage us as a believers to trust in God's timing and sovereignty.
 
 Access prayer prompts for the election here: https://www.watermark.org/blog/24-days-of-prayer-for-the-2024-election
 
 Additional Scripture mentioned in today's episode:
 1 Chronicles 28:3, " But God said to me, ‘You may not build a house for my name'."
 2 Samuel 7:13, " He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever."
 Ephesians 2:10, "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."
 
 Grab a Psalms Join The Journey Journal for 2024:
 https://a.co/d/7rt0H3g
 
 Got kids? Check out the Join The Journey Jr. Journal for 2024:
 https://a.co/d/eYBgvUM
 
 You can also check out the Join The Journey Jr. Podcast: 
 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/join-the-journey-junior/id1660089898

David quieted his soul, eliminated the agitation caused by seeking the satisfaction of his own desires, and found contentment in his Heavenly Father—becoming a man after God’s own heart. Emma Dotter shares an encouraging Join The Journey devo written by a Watermark member and leaves us with some questions to think through today.
 
 Additional Scripture mentioned in today's episode:
 Psalm 46:10 - “Be still and know that I am God.”
 Acts 13:22 - "a man after God’s own heart."
 Proverbs 18:12 - “Before destruction a man's heart is haughty . . . .”
 Proverbs 16:5 - “Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the LORD . . . .”
 James 4:10 - “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you.”
 Psalm 46:10 - “I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”
 
 Join us for at Training Day to prepare for Year of the Word: https://www.watermark.org/events/6353-training-day-x-join-the-journey
 
 Grab a Psalms Join The Journey Journal for 2024:
 https://a.co/d/7rt0H3g
 
 Got kids? Check out the Join The Journey Jr. Journal for 2024:
 https://a.co/d/eYBgvUM
 
 You can also check out the Join The Journey Jr. Podcast: 
 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/join-the-journey-junior/id1660089898

How do we wait actively with hope and tether ourselves to something? Faithful Watermark member and friend, Melissa Miller joins Emma Dotter to share the sweet truth that, "It's belief in His steadfast love that fuels our ability to let go of earthly fulfillment or pain relief." 
 
 Additional Scripture mentioned in today's episode:
 Proverbs 16:9, "The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps."
 
 Grab a Psalms Join The Journey Journal for 2024:
 https://a.co/d/7rt0H3g
 
 Got kids? Check out the Join The Journey Jr. Journal for 2024:
 https://a.co/d/eYBgvUM
 
 You can also check out the Join The Journey Jr. Podcast: 
 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/join-the-journey-junior/id1660089898

Despite all hardships, the faithful have not been overcome. Emma Dotter shares the significance of today, Reformation Day and talks about the importance of trusting in God's justice and protection as we see in today's passage.
 
 Grab a Psalms Join The Journey Journal for 2024:
 https://a.co/d/7rt0H3g
 
 Got kids? Check out the Join The Journey Jr. Journal for 2024:
 https://a.co/d/eYBgvUM
 
 You can also check out the Join The Journey Jr. Podcast: 
 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/join-the-journey-junior/id1660089898

Is Psalm 128 giving prosperity gospel? In today’s episode, Lauren Atkinson and Watermark high school student Olivia Tristan talk about what it means to experience God’s blessing in our lives. These blessings are not the things we receive from God because of our own good works, but the results of the Holy Spirit changing the desires of our heart. 
 
 Additional Scripture Referenced:
 Galatians 5:22-25, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law…”
 
 Grab a Psalms Join The Journey Journal for 2024:
 https://a.co/d/7rt0H3g
 
 Got kids? Check out the Join The Journey Jr. Journal for 2024:
 https://a.co/d/eYBgvUM
 
 You can also check out the Join The Journey Jr. Podcast: 
 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/join-the-journey-junior/id1660089898

Is hard work a waste? In today’s episode Emma Dotter and Watermark staff member Mandy Bagdanoff discuss what it means to put the Lord at the center of our life and labor. Our labor is in vain if the Lord is not the sole focus of our work.
 
 Grab a Psalms Join The Journey Journal for 2024:
 https://a.co/d/7rt0H3g
 
 Got kids? Check out the NEW Join The Journey Jr. Journal for 2024:
 https://a.co/d/eYBgvUM
 
 You can also check out the Join The Journey Jr. Podcast: 
 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/join-the-journey-junior/id1660089898

God is a God who appreciates laughter and joy. Faithful Watermark member, Mary Anne Smiley joins Emma Dotter to talk about how she has personally connected with verse 5, "Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy!"
 
 Grab a Psalms Join The Journey Journal for 2024:
 https://a.co/d/7rt0H3g
 
 Got kids? Check out the Join The Journey Jr. Journal for 2024:
 https://a.co/d/eYBgvUM
 
 You can also check out the Join The Journey Jr. Podcast: 
 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/join-the-journey-junior/id1660089898

What is the scepter of wickedness? In today’s episode, Join the Journey staff member Lauren Atkinson and faithful Watermark member Bill Aiken dive into Psalm 125 and discuss how in the Old Testament, staffs were symbols of power and leaders used them to lead the people of Israel. Bill then ties this symbol of power to the greater leader and perfect King, Jesus Christ. 
 
 Additional Scripture referenced:
 Mark 12:30, “And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.”
 
 Grab a Psalms Join The Journey Journal for 2024:
 https://a.co/d/7rt0H3g
 
 Got kids? Check out the NEW Join The Journey Jr. Journal for 2024:
 https://a.co/d/eYBgvUM
 
 You can also check out the Join The Journey Jr. Podcast: 
 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/join-the-journey-junior/id1660089898

Emma Dotter shares that this Psalm shows us that David deeply understood that God was on his side. He put these truths in practice by reminding all of Israel that God does play a critical role in our lives despite undesirable circumstances we might live through and to remember who our God is.
 
 Grab a Psalms Join The Journey Journal for 2024:
 https://a.co/d/7rt0H3g
 
 Got kids? Check out the Join The Journey Jr. Journal for 2024:
 https://a.co/d/eYBgvUM
 
 You can also check out the Join The Journey Jr. Podcast: 
 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/join-the-journey-junior/id1660089898

Where are your eyes fixed? Are they on the Lord? Today Watermark student Chapman Penuel joins Emma Dotter to teach us about what it means to look at Christ and look away from things of the world. The Psalmist’s message in this passage points us to His greater return and triumph in Christ’s return. His ultimate mercy is our greatest reward and blessing.
 
 Grab a Psalms Join The Journey Journal for 2024:
 https://a.co/d/7rt0H3g
 
 Got kids? Check out the Join The Journey Jr. Journal for 2024:
 https://a.co/d/eYBgvUM
 
 You can also check out the Join The Journey Jr. Podcast: 
 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/join-the-journey-junior/id1660089898