Numbering My Days

Tag: daily

  • Psalm 49

    They trust in their wealth
    and boast in their abundant riches.
    Yet these cannot redeem a person
    or pay his ransom to God –
    since the price of redeeming him is
    too costly.

    Here is the stark truth of our world – and the glorious redemption.

    We cannot buy, or earn, our way into an eternity with God. He is not bought or impressed by earthly riches. (He owns it all!)

    So, there is no ransom for me in the accumulation of stuff or power. No sense in trusting any of this. The price for my redemption is too costly.

    Praise God from whom all blessings flow: He has paid the redemption price for me,

    for us,

    for all who will believe and recognize Jesus as Lord.

    God will redeem me, the Psalmist declares. And, HE HAS!

    I cannot pay the price.

    He already has.

    A last look at the ram’s horn.

  • Psalm 48

    God, within your temple,
    we contemplate your faithful love.
    Like your name, God, so your praise
    reaches to the ends of the earth;
    your right hand is filled with justice.

    It is in moments of worship that I most often am reminded of God’s faithful love – that essential quality from which pours His mercy, establishing His grace, sustaining His redemption. And, in His name, His reputation, His character, His very being: praise arises! From throughout all His creation.

    Praise God from whom all blessings flow.

    From here to there – everywhere we might see, travel, or imagine. And as He is praised, His justice arises with Him.

    Essential as His faithful love, so too, His justice rides forth in His creation to accomplish His purpose!

  • Psalm 47

    Clap your hands, all you peoples;
    shout to God with a jubilant cry.
    For the LORD, the Most High,
    is awe-inspiring . . .

    A call to worship – but more – a vision of of the joy, the rapture, the pleasure of God’s people – all His peoples, joining together in raucous worship.

    Celebrate our LORD, Most High!

    He is the King.

    His glory is unmatched.

    He shall receive the praise, glory, and worship of all.

    Even the leaders of all nations belong to Him and will, in one glorious, cacophonous moment, praise Him in His glory.

    He is greatly exalted.

    Let’s worship!

  • Psalm 46

    God is our refuge and strength,
    a helper who is always found
    in times of trouble.

    I could wish for a life, a world, without troubles.

    No illness.

    No conflict.

    No disasters.

    No hunger.

    No need.

    But this is the real world – beset with sin since Adam and Eve laid waste to Eden by their sin – and opened the way for a cascade of sin from every one of us every day since.

    We are the spoilers.

    But, our Creator, Sustainer, Redeemer, and Lord, knows our need. And He is the refuge we find in days of trouble.

    No surprise to Him – none of it – and He makes Himself available for me, for any, who seek refuge during the troubles of life.

    In His care we are redeemed.

    I used this reference photo from someone selling shofars to create these sketches:

    and they became the inspiration for the illustration for Psalm 47 – we’ll see tomorrow.

  • Psalm 45

    Mighty Warrior, strap your sword
    at your side. . . .
    In your splendor ride triumphantly
    in the cause of truth, humility,
    and justice.
    This Psalm – a royal wedding song – declares the mission of the King. To ride forth in splendor to assure that truth, humility, and justice prevail in the kingdom.

    How often we fail, as humans, to protect those core values of the King’s kingdom. We prefer status over truth. Power over humility. Wealth over justice.

    We side with the wrong things. But God, when He sends forth His warrior, will see His Kingdom established: the last shall be first; the little child shall lead them; and justice, humility, truth – His righteousness shall prevail.

    Lord, come quickly!

  • Psalm 44

    We boast in God all day long;
    we will boast in your name forever. Selah

    The psalmist seems to have a lot to complain about. (On some days, who doesn’t?)

    His enemies seem to be winning. God seems to have forgotten him and all people.

    He claims they have remained faithful to the Lord, but God is silent.

    He feels crushed by his circumstances.

    Yet, in the midst of this difficult day, the psalmist declares that he will boast in the Lord.

    God is good! All the time.

    It may not feel like it, seem like it, but He is always at work on my behalf.

    Good God!

    (A shofar. The illustration for an upcoming Psalm.)

  • Psalm 43

    Send your light and your truth; let them
    lead me.
    Let them bring me
    to your holy mountain,
    to your dwelling place.

    God’s “light” illumines the path.

    It provides insight and disclosure.

    Light drives out uncertainty, fear, and hesitancy.

    His “truth” guides me, the pilgrim, in the right direction – with righteousness and confidence in the circumstances ahead.

    The light and truth do not ensure an easy journey – or one without risk, peril, pain, or cost. But light and truth do ensure the presence of God, the companionship of Jesus Christ, and hope for eternity.

    That is the destination on a journey lit by His truth – the hope of everlasting joy in His kingdom.

    A portion of this week’s illustration, from Psalm 47.

  • Psalm 42

    As a deer longs for flowing streams,
    so I long for you, God.
    I thirst for God, the living God.

    Some days.

    Sometimes.

    It just feels like God’s presence is far away.

    I long for it – like a deer looking for a bit of water on a hot, dusty day.

    How may I quench this thirst for the presence of the living God in my life? For the stirring of the Holy Spirit, reviving me again?

    I know – this dry space is a place of my own making. I marched confidently off into this desert, thinking, “I have plenty of God, enough resources, all I’ll ever need.”

    But I find I don’t. I don’t have nearly enough.

    I want God’s living water poured out over me, streaming into my desert.

    Lord, my hope is in you.

    My Savior. My God.

    Note: The above illustration, inspired by this Psalm, v. 7 is where I’ve temporarily halted waterfall illustrations. Although I started another one . . . I may never be satisified with this image. I have something in my mind that I want to convey, just can’t seem to get it to come out right. I’ll keep trying. If I ever get a waterfall that makes me smile – I’ll share it. Meanwhile, “deep calls to deep . . .”

  • Psalm 41

    Happy is one who is considerate
    of the poor;
    The LORD will save him in a day
    of adversity.

    This Psalm seems to have several themes, but at the heart of it is David’s confident trust that God has seen and known him; God has promised him protection and life; God will forgive him in spite of his sin; and, God will bless him.

    All of David’s thoughts return to the foundation of his confidence. God loves him and is faithful to care for and protect him.

    At day’s beginning, or end, this is the solid ground for my life – that God loves,

    forgives,

    sees,

    knows,

    and He is faithful.

    Lord, be to me my secure fortress and peace.

    almost there . . .

  • Psalm 40

    I waited patiently for the LORD,
    and he turned to me and heard my cry
    for help.

    David had deep trust – even when surrounded by enemies, when he was beset with troubles and even sin, he did not abandon his hope in the Lord. Instead he called out to Him, waited expectantly.

    And God heard.

    And responded.

    How often do I give up before the Lord makes His response known to me?

    I do believe He hears.

    I know He responds.

    Sometimes, though, my trust and hope falter, especially when I am aware of my sin which has turned my heart from the Lord.

    Lord, thank you for your mercy and grace that is always there, awaiting this penitent, needy man.