Numbering My Days

Tag: daily

  • Psalm 38

    There is no soundness in my body
    because of your indignation;
    there is no health in my bones
    because of my sin.

    I have a handwritten note in my Bible at this point: the effects of sin.

    – Physical illness
    – The weight of guilt – both psychological and spiritual
    – The infection of unrepentant sin
    – Backbreaking weight of grief
    – Weakness in all my body
    – Crushing realization of my own culpability

    I groan in anguish.

    Lord, do not abandon me.

    My only cry!

    My God, do not be far from me!

    Hurry to help me, my Lord, my salvation.

    Only in you, your presence, your forgiveness, mercy, and grace will I be healed.

    Lord, save!

    Another attempt – not what I was looking for. . .

  • Psalm 37

    Take delight in the LORD,
    and he will give you
    your heart’s desires.

    It is tempting to read this verse as a formula for getting wealth, power, fortune, fame – those things many people want and strive for.

    But, read more carefully. Take delight in the Lord.

    Make the Lord your heart’s desire.

    And you will receive your heart’s desire – the Lord!

    And what could be better?

    To be in the presence of the Lord – to know Him and to experience His peace, His security, His wisdom.

    That is wealth!

    Lord, I desire you!

    In Psalm 42 we will encounter the waterfall – this was one of those attempts to capture what my mind’s eye sees. It contributes to the final, but it’s not the final. “Trust the process. . . ”

  • Psalm 36

    An oracle within my heart
    concerning the transgression of the
    wicked person:
    Dread of God has no effect on him.

    The mindset and life-style of the wicked person was a mystery to David.

    I think I understand his perspective. It does seem like some people live with no view of God, eternity, or any moral compass. They live for themselves and have no fear of any reprisal for anything they do to achieve their pleasure, wealth, goals, power.

    You can sleep at night?

    It is a mystery for some of us – still.

    David reminds us in this Psalm that the “wellspring of life” and the light of lights spring from our Lord.

    From Him come all manner of blessings, faithful love, for those who recognize His divine presence and what is His due.

    One last look at the shield, javelin, and spear. This was a favorite image – the idea came quickly, and I only painted one. It met my expectations right away (whether it is any good or not – I like it!)

    And a glimpse ahead to what has become the most challenging illustration I’ve tried. It was a simple idea, sprang to mind quickly – but I’ve painted it over and over and never satisfied.

    Here’s a piece of one of the early versions I discarded as not what I was looking for – although there are some parts of it (like this slice) that I thought was OK. (with a filter applied to soften the colors a bit.)

  • Psalm 35

    LORD, who is like you,
    rescuing the poor from one
    too strong for him.

    David’s look to the Lord for deliverance from his enemies seems, at first glance, to be self-serving, conceited, arrogant. After all, why should God choose to defend him, to destroy his enemies?

    The heart of this, for my benefit, is to realize that David’s relationship with the Lord was real, healthy, faith-filled, and based on the Lord’s character and holiness, not his own.

    So too, his enemies defied righteous, holy God almighty.

    David recognized his deliverance was due to God’s righteousness (v. 24), not his own.

    Last, for me, my enemies include the enemy – Satan – who longs for the destruction of anyone who trusts in Christ.

    Lord, rescue me!

  • Psalm 34

    Taste and see that the LORD is good.
    How happy is the person who
    takes refuge in him!

    Such a delightful invitation.

    We use this mindset with others, especially children, often.

    – Just try a bite.

    – Try it! You’ll like it.

    The Lord invites all to put Him to the test.

    Try Him. You’ll see. He’s good!

    – He provides for those who seek Him.

    – He grants long life for those who do good.

    – He guides us to peace – urges us to pursue it.

    – He watches over us.

    – He removes evil from the earth.

    – He rescues us, especially when we are brokenhearted.

    – He protects.

    – He redeems.

    Taste and see!

    The Lord is good.

  • Psalm 33

    The counsel of the LORD stands forever,
    the plans of his heart from generation
    to generation.

    God, creator and sustainer of all life, worthy of our worship and praise, is always – and always has been – pursuing His plan and purpose for His creation.

    He will not be thwarted.

    He cannot fail.

    He does nothing haphazardly.

    He intends for His creation to be subject to Christ and to Himself.

    There are days, moments, eras even, when this seems ludicrous: God in charge? In charge of this mess?

    But His plan,

    His counsel,

    His purpose will not falter or fail.

    In His time, according to His plan, He will fulfill all He has in mind.

    We put our hope in you, Lord!

  • Psalm 32

    How joyful is the one
    whose transgression
    is forgiven,
    whose sin is covered!

    Forgiven sin results in joy because of the true nature of joy.

    Joy is the absence of conflict – especially the absence of conflict between me and God.

    My sin causes that conflict to erupt, and maintains the state of chaos until I’m able, again, to be at peace with the Lord, to rest in His presence.

    I cannot manufacture this state of restored peace with God. I’m unable, because of my sin, to do anything to resolve the conflict because His nature is Holy and He can have nothing to do with me.

    Unless He covers my sin.

    Praise the Lord!

    I can have that peace,

    experience that joy –

    because He forgives and the sacrifice Christ has made, of Himself, covers my sin.

    What joy!

  • Psalm 31

    LORD, I seek refuge in you;
    let me never be disgraced.
    Save me by your righteousness.

    One of the adversary’s favorite, oft’ believed lies is that somehow we – I – can live in such a way that I have earned or deserve salvation.

    The Word of God is so clear on this point, however.

    From the mercy shown to Adam, to the wisdom of David, and especially in the gospels, it becomes very clear.

    Very plain.

    The salvation I enjoy is from God’s righteousness – not my own.

    That He deigns to bestow it as a gift is so obvious. Yet we humans too often believe that we can or must live our way into His good graces.

    Only Christ has completed the journey fully righteous. In Him and in Him alone is my refuge.

    Praise Him!

  • Psalm 30

    For his anger lasts only a moment,
    but his favor, a lifetime.
    Weeping may stay overnight,
    But there is joy in the morning.

    There is a connection in this verse between the Lord’s anger and the sorrow of grief. It’s hard to tell from the rest of the Psalm, but David’s grief, sorrow, weeping – even illness – appears to be the result of his repentance.

    He recognizes his sin and the Lord’s righteous anger, and the consequences of his sin:

    illness,

    defeat,

    humiliation before his enemies.

    It brings David to tears.

    And reminds me that the consequences of my sin should likewise lead to godly sorrow and grief.

    The grace of the Lord is sure and quick forgiveness.

    For in His forgiveness,

    His presence,

    there is joy!

    Joy in the morning!

    A glimpse of this week’s illustration – taken from Psalms 33 and 35. A very simple image. More to come!

  • Psalm 29

    The voice of the LORD is
    above the waters,
    The God of glory thunders –
    The LORD, above the vast water.

    Our Lord God is enthroned above the vast expanses of heaven and earth. His voice declares His glory and resonates to all who are below.

    He is seen in the power of the great sea; in the loud thunder; through the electric flare of the storm.

    Yet, His powerful presence delivers peace to His people.

    Calm assurance of His majestic reign.

    Ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.
    . . . the glory due his name.

    (One last look . . . )