Tag: daily

LORD my God, I seek refuge in you;
Save me from all my pursuers
and rescue me.

David, in writing this Psalm, sought refuge in the Lord, and counted on his own integrity and righteousness to provide a reason for God to take his side, rescue and protect him (see vv. 3-5).

Lord, my confidence in my own righteousness is non-existent. I call out for refuge based on faith that I seek salvation, rescue, through Jesus Christ – through His righteousness and integrity.

Lord, rescue me – though I claim no foundation on my own. I do declare my faith in Jesus and trust that as you love Him, His righteousness will cover my iniquity.

In that place, in that secure fortress, I do shelter and seek your almighty hand of rescue.

______

Today ends the first week of this new project. I’m finding it enjoyable and I intend to keep on.

As the week comes to an end, this is a last look at a slice of the first illustration in the project. Tomorrow I’ll move on to the next illustration (hoping for one new illustration each week). To be honest, this first illustration, even though I painted it multiple times is one of my least favorite. I haven’t captured exactly what I had in mind. It is likely I’ll paint this idea again. (I’m learning a lot each day I try to paint.) If I do this illustration again, and if it turns out in any way to be palatable, I’ll pop it on the blog. (That goes for future illustrations too – even the ones I already sorta like. If I paint it again, I’ll post it again. )

I hope you have a wonderful Labor Day!

Be gracious to me, LORD, for I am weak.

I have not the strength, or health, physical or spiritual, to overcome the rot of disease.

My soul, diseased by sin, weakened by neglect and abuse, must rely solely on the grace and gracious mercy of You, Lord.

I admit my need before you, made clear by the press of the world around me. I put myself in this spot – and now I realize I am much too weak to survive, or even attempt to control the outcome.

So, Lord, I do all I know to do and cry out to you!

Once again, as you have many times before,

Be gracious to me.

It is by grace, through faith – not by any works I have done; Lord, by your grace, once again

Rescue me.

In the morning, LORD, you hear my voice;
in the morning I plead my case to
you and watch expectantly.

I rarely miss my opportunity to plead my case to the Lord. I trust He’s there to hear, and I believe He hears and answers prayers.

That’s what my mind, my heart, thinks and says, especially early in the day.

It’s the “expectant watching” that I so easily overlook. Once I’ve uttered the prayer, I should be on the lookout for the work of the Lord.

But I lack attention and , if I’m honest, lack faith that prayer ever really changes things, and so I forget, neglect, don’t even think about being on “watch” for the Lord’s work.

Faithless. Weak, I am.

But He is not.

I shall watch, and I shall see the work of the Lord!

How long will you love what is worthless
and pursue a lie?

The Psalmist speaks for God – or repeats what he has heard. God has taken notice of what we love, and how we spend our time attention, energy, and resources. And He declares those things “worthless – a lie,” that falsely offer:

peace

security

happiness

joy

fulfillment

but delivering:

strife

danger

depression

sadness

and wasting our lives.

How long?

Lord, open my eyes to reality: to see as you see, to love as you love, to value as you value, to know the Truth and discover that He sets me free from the worthless lies offered by this world.

Then, I will lie down and sleep in peace.

But you, LORD, are a shield around me,
my glory, and the one who lifts up
my head.

When people talk about us (see verse 2) it is a common, normal, understandable response to hang your head in shame, or embarrassment, or to lower your head in anger – avoidance; hiding.

But when people talk – the Lord, my Lord, whom I love, who loves me and protects me – gently places a hand under my forlorn chin and raises my face to Himself.

“You are mine – loved – protected,” He might say.

No shame here.

Here’s an early version of the Psalm 1 illustration.

May the Lord lift your head today!

The one enthroned in heaven laughs;
the Lord ridicules them.
– Psalm 2:4

Harsh!?!

That God almighty, ruling from His superior place in heaven would ridicule “anyone”?

I thought God loves us. Cares for us. Wants us to approach Him as Heavenly Father. Yet, He ridicules?

He laughs at those who set themselves up as if they are the almighty ones. Beyond His reach. Outside His sovereignty.

God takes no delight in their rebellion, but recognizes their foolishness; the way they have joyfully jumped into the deception offered them by the evil one.

God’s laughter, ridicule, is intended to jar them into another look – self- evaluation. Or if not them, any who would see them as role models.

God reigns! And in His resurrection, has established Christ Jesus as Lord of Lords, King of Kings!

I started the Psalms Project in the Summer of 2025 in an effort to spend more focused time in the Psalms.

I have long read the Psalms as a part of my daily devotional time, that quiet time in God’s Word as the day begins. Rarely, though, have I journaled the thoughts I have about the Psalms, reading one each day like a vitamin, but not delving deeply in the words unless they resonate with a particular circumstance or feeling. They are as likely to make me wonder if I ever feel the way the Psalmists felt as they are to connect me deeply with their worship, joy, sadness, or exultation.

I’ve already made a relatively new habit of journaling thoughts about my daily Bible reading – something I realize I should have been doing for years. Better late than never, I suppose. So, it wasn’t a leap or burden for me to commit myself to spending a few extra moments adding a specific daily reflection from a Psalm. The joy of retired life. A flexible schedule!

At the same time I find myself trying to learn to paint. I’ve dabbled in this a couple of times in my younger life. Always I find some connection to what I’m trying to illustrate, and doing it makes me think and feel deeply about the subject matter. I’ve always been drawn to the transparent beauty of watercolor images – loose lines, translucent color, and the power to draw a viewer into scene. Somehow the medium fits my mood as I dwell on the poetry of the Psalms. This is especially true if I can conceive and execute a line and wash image – that wonderful combination of pen and ink with the wash overlay of color.

What, I wondered, could happen if I combine these efforts? I will read a Psalm (or at least a portion of a Psalm) every day. I will immediately write a reflection. Just some words and thoughts that immediately come to mind as I worship in these ancient hymns. And, at least once per week I will seek out an image; one verse, one word, one phrase – something in the seven Psalms I’ve read, and I will try to capture a watercolor image that grows out of the thoughts I’ve had.

The Psalms Project was born. And now it lives on here at Numbering My Days (another Psalms reference that means a lot to me). It’s a collection of words, not too carefully chosen or edited, and a collection of the artistic efforts of a very beginning amateur, and clumsy, would-be painter.

If you find yourself here and reading, you might try this: read the Psalm that is referenced, then read the few words of my reflection on that Psalm. Get a journal or open a notes app and jot down a thought or two of your own. And, I hope, enjoy a little art. Sketch something yourself or sing a melody. Allow these Psalms to open your day, your mind and heart, to the wonder and joy of the very personal God who is majestic, glorious, holy, righteous, mighty – and yet is present for us in our worship.