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Title: Psalm 30: Discovering Breakthrough Joy After Seasons of Suffering

Psalm 30 reminds us that God humbles His people, not to destroy them, but to restore them. In this episode of Counseling through the Psalms, James Long Jr. unpacks how pride can collapse into despair, yet God’s favor turns weeping into joy and mourning into dancing. We’ll see how David’s experience points us to Christ, who bore God’s anger so that His people might know His eternal favor.

If you have ever walked through loss, illness, or a season of deep struggle, Psalm 30 offers hope. God’s discipline is temporary, but His restoration is lasting. The night of weeping may feel long, but morning joy is certain.

Key Takeaways

• God delivers His people from death and despair (Psalm 30:1–3).
• His anger is momentary, but His favor lasts a lifetime (Psalm 30:5).
• Pride leads to discipline, but humility brings restoration (Psalm 30:6–10).
• Christ fulfills Psalm 30 by bearing God’s wrath and bringing eternal joy (Romans 5:8–10).
• Our mourning is turned into dancing, and our silence into songs of praise (Psalm 30:11–12).

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Closing Encouragement:
When the night feels long and your heart is heavy, remember that God’s favor outlasts your weeping, and His joy will greet you in the morning.

ABOUT JAMES and LESSONS FOR LIFE

Are you seeking hope, wisdom, and practical solutions to life’s challenges? Dr. James Long, Jr., pastor, counselor, and professor with over 30 years of experience, helps people discover God’s solutions to emotional, relational, and spiritual challenges. Each episode of Lessons for Life points you to the peace and freedom found in Jesus Christ.

Resources and Next Steps

• Join the free Navigator Level of the Lessons for Life Community: https://jameslongjr.org/community
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Psalm 29: God’s Powerful Voice Brings Peace in the Storms

Few experiences shake us like a thunderstorm. The lightning, thunder, and wind remind us how small and fragile we are. In Psalm 29, David takes this awe-inspiring force of nature and declares that it is not Baal, blind chance, or impersonal forces that command the storm, but Yahweh, the Lord of heaven and earth. His voice thunders over the waters, shakes the wilderness, and yet, for His people, His final word is peace.

In this episode of Counseling Through the Psalms, we’ll explore how God’s voice reveals His majesty, His sovereignty over creation, and His gift of strength and peace to His people.

Key Points from Psalm 29

• Heavenly Worship (vv. 1–2): All creation, even the angelic hosts, are called to ascribe glory to the Lord in the splendor of His holiness.
• The Voice of the Lord (vv. 3–9): Seven times the psalm repeats, “The voice of the Lord,” emphasizing God’s command over the storm, from the seas to the mountains to the wilderness.
• The King on the Throne (vv. 10–11): The psalm concludes with the Lord enthroned forever, giving strength and peace to His people.
• Christ-Centered Hope: Jesus Christ, the eternal Word, calmed storms with His voice, bore cosmic judgment at the cross, and now gives His peace to His people.

Resources & Next Steps

• Join the free Navigator Level of the Lessons for Life Community: https://jameslongjr.org/community
  
  
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ABOUT JAMES and LESSONS FOR LIFE

Are you seeking hope, wisdom, and practical solutions to life’s challenges? Dr. James Long, Jr., pastor, counselor, and professor with over 30 years of experience, helps people discover God’s solutions to emotional, relational, and spiritual challenges. Each episode of Lessons for Life points you to the peace and freedom found in Jesus Christ.

Resources and Next Steps

• Join the free Navigator Level of the Lessons for Life Community: https://jameslongjr.org/community
• Explore full membership and coaching options: https://jameslongjr.org/signupnow

Listen and Subscribe: Find Lessons for Life with James Long, Jr., wherever you listen to podcasts

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Title: Psalm 28: Learning to Trust God’s Love in the Silence

Psalm 28 gives voice to one of the hardest experiences of faith—when God seems silent. In this episode, discover how David perseveres in prayer, moves from desperation to praise, and rests in the love of the Shepherd who carries His people forever. Learn how God’s apparent silence is never His absence, and how His steadfast love strengthens us in seasons of waiting.

Episode Highlights

• Silence in prayer does not mean God has abandoned us (vv. 1–2).
• David pleads for mercy, lifting his hands toward God’s presence in faith.
• A prayer for justice reveals God’s holiness and the seriousness of sin (vv. 3–5).
• Fear turns into thanksgiving as David rejoices in God’s strength and deliverance (vv. 6–8).
• God’s help for one believer strengthens the whole people of God.
• The psalm ends with a prayer to the Shepherd who carries His people forever (v. 9).
• Christ fulfills Psalm 28 as our Rock, Redeemer, and Good Shepherd.

Resources and Next Steps

• Join the free Navigator Level of the Lessons for Life Community: https://jameslongjr.org/community
  
  
• Explore full membership and coaching options: https://jameslongjr.org/signupnow
  
  
• Download devotionals, attend live meetups, and access biblical life training to grow emotionally, relationally, and spiritually.

ABOUT JAMES and LESSONS FOR LIFE

Are you seeking hope, wisdom, and practical solutions to life’s challenges? Dr. James Long, Jr., pastor, counselor, and professor with over 30 years of experience, helps people discover God’s solutions to emotional, relational, and spiritual challenges. Each episode of Lessons for Life points you to the peace and freedom found in Jesus Christ.

Resources and Next Steps

• Join the free Navigator Level of the Lessons for Life Community: https://jameslongjr.org/community
• Explore full membership and coaching options: https://jameslongjr.org/signupnow

Listen and Subscribe: Find Lessons for Life with James Long, Jr., wherever you listen to podcasts

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Title: Psalm 27: How to Overcome Fear with Courage and Hope

Psalm 27 speaks directly into one of life’s greatest struggles—fear. In this episode, discover how David overcomes fear by seeking the Lord as his light, salvation, and stronghold. Learn how to turn your anxieties into prayers, your longings into worship, and your waiting into hope-filled courage.

Episode Highlights

• Fear is universal, but Psalm 27 teaches us to confront it by seeking God’s presence.
• David declares his confidence in the Lord as his light, salvation, and stronghold (vv. 1–3).
• His “one thing” is not escape but dwelling in God’s presence (vv. 4–6).
• Prayer is the believer’s lifeline in seasons of fear and uncertainty (vv. 7–12).
• Waiting on the Lord strengthens courage and deepens trust (vv. 13–14).
• Christ is the Light of the world and our eternal stronghold (John 8:12; Colossians 3:3).
• Fear is overcome not by denial but by faith in God’s steadfast love.

Resources and Next Steps

• Join the free Navigator Level of the Lessons for Life Community: https://jameslongjr.org/community
  
  
• Explore full membership and coaching options: https://jameslongjr.org/signupnow
  
  
• Download devotionals, attend live meetups, and access biblical life training to grow emotionally, relationally, and spiritually.

ABOUT JAMES and LESSONS FOR LIFE

Are you seeking hope, wisdom, and practical solutions to life’s challenges? Dr. James Long, Jr., pastor, counselor, and professor with over 30 years of experience, helps people discover God’s solutions to emotional, relational, and spiritual challenges. Each episode of Lessons for Life points you to the peace and freedom found in Jesus Christ.

Resources and Next Steps

• Join the free Navigator Level of the Lessons for Life Community: https://jameslongjr.org/community
• Explore full membership and coaching options: https://jameslongjr.org/signupnow

Listen and Subscribe: Find Lessons for Life with James Long, Jr., wherever you listen to podcasts

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Title: Psalm 26: Finding Confidence in God’s Vindication and Love

Psalm 26 is David’s plea for vindication and protection from the wicked. In this episode, we discover how confidence before God flows from integrity, separation from sin, and delight in worship. Learn how this psalm brings hope to those navigating emotional, relational, mental, and spiritual struggles, pointing us to Christ and the level ground of God’s steadfast love.

Episode Highlights

• Life often feels unstable—Psalm 26 reminds us that God provides level ground.
• David’s plea for vindication rests not in pride but in God’s justice and mercy (vv. 1–2).
• True loyalty to God requires separation from deceit and harmful influences (vv. 3–5).
• Worship is both cleansing and celebratory, reorienting the heart toward God’s presence (vv. 6–8).
• Vindication and redemption rest not on our works, but on God’s mercy (vv. 9–12).
• Christ is the Righteous One who stands with us and for us, securing our stability.
• Living with integrity becomes a testimony of God’s steadfast love to a watching world.

Resources and Next Steps

• Join the free Navigator Level of the Lessons for Life Community: https://jameslongjr.org/community
  
  
• Explore full membership and coaching options: https://jameslongjr.org/signupnow
  
  
• Download devotionals, attend live meetups, and access biblical life training to grow emotionally, relationally, and spiritually.

ABOUT JAMES and LESSONS FOR LIFE

Are you seeking hope, wisdom, and practical solutions to life’s challenges? Dr. James Long, Jr., pastor, counselor, and professor with over 30 years of experience, helps people discover God’s solutions to emotional, relational, and spiritual challenges. Each episode of Lessons for Life points you to the peace and freedom found in Jesus Christ.

Resources and Next Steps

• Join the free Navigator Level of the Lessons for Life Community: https://jameslongjr.org/community
• Explore full membership and coaching options: https://jameslongjr.org/signupnow

Listen and Subscribe: Find Lessons for Life with James Long, Jr., wherever you listen to podcasts

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Title: Psalm 25: Discover Hope and Breakthrough in Life’s Struggles

Short Description

Psalm 25 is a heartfelt prayer for deliverance, forgiveness, and direction in life’s most difficult seasons. In this episode, discover how God’s steadfast love and faithfulness meet us in our struggles, whether caused by enemies, circumstances, or our own sins and how His guidance leads to peace, stability, and renewed hope.

Episode Highlights

• Psalm 25 blends lament, trust, and instruction in an acrostic prayer of dependence.
• David lifts his soul to the Lord, choosing trust over fear and shame (vv. 1–3).
• Seeking God’s ways is better than chasing quick fixes or impulsive relief (vv. 4–5).
• God’s mercy covers both past failures and present struggles (vv. 6–7).
• The Lord teaches and guides sinners who humbly seek Him (vv. 8–11).
• Those who fear the Lord enjoy intimacy, guidance, and blessing (vv. 12–14).
• Even when troubles intensify, faith looks upward, trusting God’s protection (vv. 15–21).
• Prayer expands beyond self, interceding for God’s people as a whole (v. 22).

Resources and Next Steps

• Join the free Navigator Level of the Lessons for Life Community: https://jameslongjr.org/community
• Explore full membership and coaching options: https://jameslongjr.org/signupnow
• Download devotionals, attend live meetups, and access biblical life training to grow emotionally, relationally, and spiritually.

ABOUT JAMES and LESSONS FOR LIFE

Are you seeking hope, wisdom, and practical solutions to life’s challenges? Dr. James Long, Jr., pastor, counselor, and professor with over 30 years of experience, helps people discover God’s solutions to emotional, relational, and spiritual challenges. Each episode of Lessons for Life points you to the peace and freedom found in Jesus Christ.

Resources and Next Steps

• Join the free Navigator Level of the Lessons for Life Community: https://jameslongjr.org/community
• Explore full membership and coaching options: https://jameslongjr.org/signupnow

Listen and Subscribe: Find Lessons for Life with James Long, Jr., wherever you listen to podcasts

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Title: Psalm 24: The Powerful King of Glory Who Brings Renewal

Short Description

Psalm 24 reminds us that the earth belongs to the Lord, that He desires clean hands and pure hearts, and that He reigns as the victorious King of Glory. In this episode, discover how this psalm speaks to your emotional, relational, and spiritual struggles, offering hope, guidance, and renewal as you open your life to God’s presence.

Episode Highlights

• God owns all creation and sustains every life (Psalm 24:1–2).
• We are called to live with clean hands and pure hearts, both outwardly and inwardly (Psalm 24:3–6).
• True holiness flows from God’s grace through Christ, not from religious performance.
• Healing involves both inward transformation and outward integrity.
• The psalm culminates with the victorious entrance of the King of Glory (Psalm 24:7–10).
• Jesus fulfills this psalm as the true King who triumphed over sin and death.
• We are invited to welcome Christ’s reign daily into our relationships, struggles, and decisions.

Resources and Next Steps

• Join the free Navigator Level of the Lessons for Life Community: https://jameslongjr.org/community
• Explore full membership and coaching options: https://jameslongjr.org/signupnow
• Download devotionals, attend live meetups, and access biblical life training to grow emotionally, relationally, and spiritually.

ABOUT JAMES and LESSONS FOR LIFE

Are you seeking hope, wisdom, and practical solutions to life’s challenges? Dr. James Long, Jr., pastor, counselor, and professor with over 30 years of experience, helps people discover God’s solutions to emotional, relational, and spiritual challenges. Each episode of Lessons for Life points you to the peace and freedom found in Jesus Christ.

Resources and Next Steps

• Join the free Navigator Level of the Lessons for Life Community: https://jameslongjr.org/community
• Explore full membership and coaching options: https://jameslongjr.org/signupnow

Listen and Subscribe: Find Lessons for Life with James Long, Jr., wherever you listen to podcasts

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Title: Psalm 23: Finding Lasting Contentment in the Good Shepherd’s Care

Psalm 23 shows how the Good Shepherd provides, restores, and protects. Discover true contentment and peace through His unchanging care.

Short Description

Psalm 23 paints a picture of God’s faithful care through every season of life. In this episode, we explore how the Good Shepherd restores weary souls, guides us in righteousness, and offers lasting contentment in His presence.

Episode Highlights

• Why Psalm 23 remains one of the most comforting passages in Scripture
• How God’s provision brings stability in anxious and uncertain times
• What it means for the Shepherd to restore our souls when we are weary
• The importance of God’s guidance in breaking cycles of poor choices
• How His presence dispels fear in the valleys of life
• The overflowing abundance of God’s care, even in the presence of enemies
• How goodness and mercy secure our eternal future with Him

Resources and Next Steps

• Join the free Navigator Level of the Lessons for Life Community: https://jameslongjr.org/community
• Explore full membership and coaching options: https://jameslongjr.org/signupnow
• Download devotionals, attend live meetups, and access biblical life training to grow emotionally, relationally, and spiritually.

ABOUT JAMES and LESSONS FOR LIFE

Are you seeking hope, wisdom, and practical solutions to life’s challenges? Dr. James Long, Jr., pastor, counselor, and professor with over 30 years of experience, helps people discover God’s solutions to emotional, relational, and spiritual challenges. Each episode of Lessons for Life points you to the peace and freedom found in Jesus Christ.

Resources and Next Steps

• Join the free Navigator Level of the Lessons for Life Community: https://jameslongjr.org/community
• Explore full membership and coaching options: https://jameslongjr.org/signupnow

Listen and Subscribe: Find Lessons for Life with James Long, Jr., wherever you listen to podcasts

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Title: Psalm 22: From Forsakenness to Praise in Christ

Psalm 22 moves from raw cries of abandonment to triumphant praise, offering hope to those who feel overwhelmed, rejected, or forgotten. In this episode, discover how Christ’s suffering fulfills this psalm and learn how God transforms lament into lasting worship for His people today.

Episode Highlights

• The psalm opens with the cry of forsakenness—“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”—echoed by Jesus on the cross.
• Honest lament is not faithlessness but clinging to God in the midst of pain.
• Remembering God’s past faithfulness strengthens present trust in seasons of silence.
• David’s suffering foreshadows Christ’s crucifixion, showing us a Savior who fully enters into our pain.
• The turning point comes with deliverance: lament gives way to praise and testimony.
• Personal rescue becomes a public witness, pointing to God’s global mission of salvation.
• Suffering and worship can coexist—lament is transformed into praise through God’s redeeming work.

Resources and Next Steps

• Join the free Navigator Level of the Lessons for Life Community: https://jameslongjr.org/community
• Explore full membership and coaching options: https://jameslongjr.org/signupnow
• Download devotionals, attend live meetups, and access biblical life training to grow emotionally, relationally, and spiritually.

ABOUT JAMES and LESSONS FOR LIFE

Are you seeking hope, wisdom, and practical solutions to life’s challenges? Dr. James Long, Jr., pastor, counselor, and professor with over 30 years of experience, helps people discover God’s solutions to emotional, relational, and spiritual challenges. Each episode of Lessons for Life points you to the peace and freedom found in Jesus Christ.

Resources and Next Steps

• Join the free Navigator Level of the Lessons for Life Community: https://jameslongjr.org/community
• Explore full membership and coaching options: https://jameslongjr.org/signupnow

Listen and Subscribe: Find Lessons for Life with James Long, Jr., wherever you listen to podcasts

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Title: Psalm 21: Lasting Joy and Strength from God’s Victory

Psalm 21 shows answered prayer, joy, and trust in God’s steadfast love. Discover lasting security in His presence through this psalm of victory.

Short Description

Psalm 21 invites us to rejoice in God’s answered prayers and trust in His steadfast love. In this episode, we explore how the psalm teaches us to pause, praise, and find lasting security in the loyal love of God.

Episode Highlights

• How Psalm 21 contrasts with Psalm 20’s desperate prayer before the battle
• Why answered prayer should move us to deep, lasting praise
• The hinge verse of Psalm 21 and its focus on God’s steadfast love
• How trusting God’s covenant loyalty provides security amid uncertainty
• The forward-looking assurance of God’s justice and Christ’s ultimate reign
• Practical ways to rejoice after deliverance and anchor confidence in God

Resources and Next Steps

• Join the free Navigator Level of the Lessons for Life Community: https://jameslongjr.org/community
• Explore full membership and coaching options: https://jameslongjr.org/signupnow
• Download devotionals, attend live meetups, and access biblical life training to grow emotionally, relationally, and spiritually.

ABOUT JAMES and LESSONS FOR LIFE

Are you seeking hope, wisdom, and practical solutions to life’s challenges? Dr. James Long, Jr., pastor, counselor, and professor with over 30 years of experience, helps people discover God’s solutions to emotional, relational, and spiritual challenges. Each episode of Lessons for Life points you to the peace and freedom found in Jesus Christ.

Resources and Next Steps

• Join the free Navigator Level of the Lessons for Life Community: https://jameslongjr.org/community
• Explore full membership and coaching options: https://jameslongjr.org/signupnow

Listen and Subscribe: Find Lessons for Life with James Long, Jr., wherever you listen to podcasts

Connect

• Instagram: https://jameslongjr.org/instagram
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• YouTube: https://jameslongjr.org/youtube