Numbering My Days

Tag: daily

  • Psalm 59

    I will keep watch for you,
    my strength,
    because God is my stronghold.

    David’s life under the rule of Saul was far from easy. He was always under the threat of capture and death at the hands of Saul and his servants.

    For what?

    For being God’s chosen one, a man after God’s heart, a man relying on God, seeking to know Him, desiring to do His will.

    And God saw – and when Saul was the opposite of all this, God’s blessings left him, and God favored David.

    David’s recourse was limited – but ultimately powerful. God was David’s stronghold!

    This for me!

    God be my stronghold, protection, and provision when all around me is danger, despair, unrighteousness.

    I trust in you.

    Protect me and be my source of peace and security.

  • Psalm 58

    Then people will say,
    “Yes, there is a reward for the righteous!
    There is a God who judges on earth.”

    The injustice and unrighteousness of people, especially leaders, is often easily seen. Some people seem born to act in such wickedness, to do violence, to love injustice, to ignore the call to right living, to holiness.

    They are deaf to any correction.

    And so, there will come a day when the righteous one will rejoice. Not because the evil, unrighteous, unjust ones are “getting their due.” That is what we want, hope for, laugh about.

    The righteous one, instead, rejoices in the triumph and glory of the One who truly reigns.

    God, the judge, has come.

    Rejoice in Him. Revel in His holy righteousness, and depend on His mercy.

    The Lord reigns – Have mercy on us, Lord!

    A bit more of the Psalm 61 illustration.

  • Psalm 57

    . . . I take refuge in you.
    I will seek refuge in the shadow
    of your wings
    Until danger passes.

    David saw danger all about him – lions: people whose teeth were spears and arrows; whose tongues were sharp swords.

    All about him was physical danger and the actions and words of people coming against him to destroy him.

    But David knew where safety and security were. He sought refuge in the presence – under the protection of God’s grace, His shadow covering him when danger approached.

    Lord, give me eyes and faith like David. There is danger all about, but there is security, safety, protection in you and in your presence.

    By your grace, Lord:

    cover me

    protect me

    And I will sing with David: “God, be exalted above the heavens, let your glory be over all the earth.”

    A work-in-progress (WIP) glimpse at a portion of the illustration for Psalm 61.

  • Psalm 56

    This I know: God is for me.

    What a powerful affirmation!

    In this day of affirmations, centered on human traits, strengths, characteristics: “I am brave; I am beautiful; I am bold; I am successful; . . . whatever.”

    I will defer to David’s affirmation:

    God is for me. . .

    When I am tempted . . . God is for me.

    When I am sick . . . God is for me.

    When I am defeated . . . God is for me.

    When I am mocked . . . God is for me.

    When I am afraid . . . God is for me.

    When I am lonely . . . God is for me.

    When I am uncertain . . . God is for me.

    When I am _________ . . . God is for me!

    In God I trust. Not anyone else. Not self; not stuff; not power;

    God!

    This I know: God is for me.

    Through Jesus Christ my Lord.

    One last view of this sunset/sunrise!

  • Psalm 55

    Cast your burden on the LORD,
    and he will sustain you;
    he will never allow the righteous
    to be shaken.

    Sometimes even our closest friends and allies betray us. They may have been close friends, even worshipped with us, went to war with us. But sometimes even they betray.

    Their words and actions may at once seem wonderful, but they turn out to be nothing but dangerous weapons turned against us.

    There is one and only one upon whom we may forever rely.

    Cast your burdens on the Lord!

    “Come to me all who labor and are weary – heavy burdened.” This is Jesus’ invitation – still today – to lean on Him. To find in Him that place of rest,

    comfort,

    truth,

    sustenance,

    righteousness.

    Cast your burdens, betrayals, disappointments, pain on the Lord!

    He sustains!

  • Psalm 54

    God is my helper;
    the LORD is the sustainer of my life.

    This is such a simple truth – it has become for me a core of my faith, a foundation for my peace and for my daily existence.

    God is my helper.

    He sustains my life.

    This is not hyperbole for me. So often, my life has been in jeopardy. For some reason, whatever He intends, thus far He has sustained my life.

    I don’t know why.

    Not because I deserve anything from Him. It is only by His mercy and grace.

    And the day shall come when my mortal life is done.

    No worries!

    He will sustain me in life eternal.

    I will serve Him.

    To God be the glory!

    The first steps of creating this image. . .

  • Psalm 53

    The fool says in his heart,
    “There’s no God.”

    Utter foolishness. That which seems educated or secure, self-reliant and logical; an utterance designed to end hopeful reliance in the face of any circumstances. “All I can rely on is me, what I see, what I know.”

    But this is utter foolishness. The words of one whose eyes are blind – blind to creation. Blind to compassion. Blind to the wonders of life, joy, security, purpose, love for all.

    Every bit is sourced beyond me – it emanates from from – what? The universe? An unknown, unknowable “higher power?” Coincidence? Hunch?

    There is indeed God almighty.

    He may not act like I think He should or intervene directly when I believe He ought. His ways are not my ways.

    So, believe.

    The Lord exists.

    He rules.

    He reigns.

    He is not distant or retired.

    He will accomplish His purpose!

  • Psalm 52

    But I am like a flourishing olive tree
    in the house of God;
    I trust in God’s faithful love
    forever and ever.

    Friends, heroes, celebrities – even family will fail us. They may speak of our good and promise us safety, refuge and comfort.

    But only God is truly faithful. Only in Him do we find certain hope for what He will do to ensure our security, peace – our true comfort.

    Should we trust people?

    Yes – but not be surprised or found reliant on them when they fail – for I will fail too.

    Only God is truly, without doubt, without failure.

    In Him will I trust. He will establish my life and direct my path. In Him will I find life eternal.

  • Psalm 51

    God, create a clean heart for me
    and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
    . . . Restore the joy of your salvation to me,
    and sustain me by giving me
    a willing spirit.

    David teaches me: vs. 13 promises that he would.

    For I am as guilty as he and need cleansing; a clean heart, a renewed spirit, and the joy of the Lord’s salvation.

    Sin destroys us – me – in exactly the way it destroyed David and all others who have lived. Sometimes we imagine that there must be recompense we can pay to make all right with God again.

    But God – He desires integrity in the inner self. A broken spirit – repentance – humble acknowledgement that my sin has been the destroyer.

    I will humble myself before the Lord. I am brought low in His presence. His righteousness shines on the dark stain of my sin; it’s clear enough in His gaze.

    So Lord! Create a new heart; renew my spirit; restore the joy of your salvation.

  • Psalm 50

    Our God is coming; he will not be silent!

    Yes – as this Psalm promises, I may call on God in a day of trouble and He will rescue me.

    I count on that.

    But is is also true that He comes to judge. And He is not appeased with the insignificant “sacrifice” I make. It is already His and much more besides.

    He has no need of it. And His judgment is made, finding me, “flinging my words behind,” “associating” with the people of this world who have no fear or interest in God almighty.

    I must turn to Him. With thanksgiving for His unfailing mercy, His gracious gifts, and determine to live in a way that honors His presence.

    The heavens proclaim His righteousness!

    So must I.