Numbering My Days

Tag: faith

  • Psalm 119:169-176

    I wander like a lost sheep;
    seek your servant,
    for I do not forget your commands.

    This verse (176) seems like such an unusual way to end this Psalm. This Psalm that has celebrated the Word of God, praised God for it. Even to go so far as to construct the psalm in such a way that seeks to honor God in the very process of creating the Hymn of worship.

    But this last verse – I expect it to be a final “hallelujah,” or a tremendous crescendo to a moment of worship, praise to the glory of God. Something to inspire, to lift up, to make my heart sing!

    Instead, the Psalmist reflects the reality of his life. He is a wanderer. A wanderer committed to the Word, loving the Lord, but like a lost sheep, stumbling around.

    How true. So often in my life.

    I love the Lord and His Word. Yet, I wander about.

    Lord, seek your servant.

    For I love your Word.

    more detail . . .

  • Psalm 119:161-168

    Abundant peace belongs to those
    who love your instruction;
    nothing makes them stumble.

    Here is part of the secret that unlocks the power of Romans 6:19 (just having read that verse: just as you offered the parts of yourselves as slaves to impurity, and to greater and greater lawlessness, so now offer them as slaves to righteousness, which results in sanctification.)

    There is peace, spiritual peace, that results from developing the habitual, disciplined practice of dwelling in God’s instruction – His Word. A peace that brings stability and security. “Nothing makes them stumble. . . ”

    That peace comes as I love the Word, replacing my love for sin with the love for spending time in the Word, in prayer, in worship, in God-honoring activity. In doing so I put to death the habits of sin. I don’t leave room for them in my life.

    In this way I discover the peace God offers in this saved life. I’m not saved by these actions, but I come to be at peace with God as I love Him and His Word.

    Abundant life.

    Lots of work to be done – but this is the beginning of an image for Psalm 121 – to come later in the week.

  • Psalm 119:153-160

    Consider how I love your precepts;
    LORD, give me life according to
    your faithful love.

    I have previously observed this truth: Life- eternal life – is always given us according to His faithful love.

    A part of me wants to be lovable. To have earned even a speck of the joy and reward that the Lord grants His children. For if I earned it, I would be proud! “See what I did!”

    But there is nothing I have done, do today, or will ever do that earns even the shadow cast by His long-suffering, perfect, faithful love. My eternal reward is a gift from Him, according to His faithful love.

    Thank you, Lord, for your faithful love that provided Jesus Christ who died for me, that I might receive your gift of grace.

    Amen.

  • Psalm 119:145-152

    I am awake through each watch
    of the night
    to meditate on your promise.

    I have spent plenty of sleepless nights. Increasingly more of them as I grow older. This verse teaches me how to use these sleepless nights.

    As I lie awake, or roam the rooms of my house in the utter darkness, I can dwell on anxiety or I can meditate on the Word of God.

    I’ve learned (this is a grace from God) that when I dwell on anxiety, sleep does not come.

    But if I meditate on the Word of God, trusting in His Word, remembering His goodness, His grace – well then anxiety flees and the promise of life replaces it.

    I may or may not sleep – but I am at rest in the peace of God.

  • Psalm 119:137-144

    Your righteousness is
    an everlasting righteousness,
    and your instruction is true.

    God’s righteousness is different.

    I sometimes, may possibly experience a temporary moment of what I think is righteousness. It’s probably false: self-righteousness. It may be just a sense of righteousness, just after receiving forgiveness, a knowing of God’s kindness: Jesus’ sacrifice has reconciled me to God.

    But it doesn’t last.

    Why would it?

    My sin is ever with me. And I must beg for mercy, repent, seek God once again.

    But God. His righteousness is everlasting. he is always right, always just, always true, always pure.

    And His Word reveals His everlasting righteousness to me.

    Hey! That’s how I know I’m not righteous.

    Praise the Lord.

    Even in His righteousness He provides for my unrighteousness.

    Forgiveness forever!

    Through Jesus Christ my Lord.

  • Psalm 119:129-136

    The revelation of your words
    brings light
    and gives understanding
    to the inexperienced.

    Here is the pure blessing of the Word of God.

    Light – the gift of seeing all that is pure, holy, right, just – the enlightenment of God that His way may be followed with confidence and security.

    Understanding – the wisdom of God made available to “the inexperienced,” – the young, foolish, sinful, but now, enlightened soul who loves God, desires His Word, and strives to live in its light. Pure joy and wisdom, available in the word and presence of God almighty.

    In this wisdom, we – I – am reminded that sin may entrap, ensnare, and dominate me. Lord, redeem me. Set me on your path. Teach me that I may live in your light, gaining understanding through your precious Word.

  • Psalm 119:121-128

    Deal with your servant based on
    your faithful love.

    Lord, indeed!

    Don’t deal with me as I deserve. I am destroyed if you do.

    Please, God, extend your mercy. Deal with me according to your faithful love.

    You are faithful – the One who never fails, always is, always will be the creator, sustainer, redeemer.

    You love – indeed you are love.

    Forever patient, kind, forgiving, caring.

    Forever faithful.

    In your faithful love, Lord, please deal with me. I come to you as a sinner in need of your mercy through Jesus Christ my Lord. Not in any way deserving, but somehow, through Him, because of your love, forgive.

    Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Amen

    Near the beginning.

  • Psalm 119:113-120

    You are my shelter and my shield;
    I put my hope in your word.

    God’s provision of security is one of the most comforting blessings I enjoy.

    The psalmist praises and thanks God for the shelter He is.

    A structure that provides secure, comfortable, permanent rest. A place to recharge, relax, enjoy the goodness of God.

    He is also a shield.

    A portable defensive covering that protects during the battle with the enemy.

    I move out in my day and encounter the arrows of the evil one. God protects me, absorbs and deflects the arrows, dangers, as a shield. An effective, available cover during the onslaught of the day.

    Lord, thank you for secure rest – my shelter.

    Thank you for instant protection – my shield.

    This was the sketch that I started with for this week’s illustration of the lamp.

  • Psalm 119:105-112

    You word is a lamp for my feet
    and a light on my path . . .
    I love your decrees as a heritage forever,
    indeed, they are the joy of my heart.

    Lord, I’ve known this verse since young childhood. Thank you for the faithful servants who taught me in Sunday School, VBS, and at home.

    I now see this verse in much clearer context. The path I’m on, want to stay on, your path – is narrow and bordered with dangerous cliffs, enticements, traps, snares, enemies, and dangerous elements that are looking for me to take one mis-step off your path.

    O course, I have stepped off. But, by your grace and mercy, I’ve found a way back to your path, through your Word, the joy of my heart.

    Now, Lord, I will look to you and your Word to light the path ahead. Save me from the dangers all about and be the lamp by which I walk – through Jesus Christ, my Lord!

  • Psalm 119:97-104

    How sweet your word is to my taste –
    sweeter than honey in the mouth.
    I gain understanding
    from your precepts;
    therefore, I hate every false way.

    David makes some extraordinary claims:

    • that he is wiser than all his enemies;
    • more insightful than all his teachers;
    • understands more than the elders;
    • he has kept his feet from every evil path.

    I don’t know about all that!

    I’m certainly not wiser, more insightful than others. But this I do know, and agree with the Psalmist:

    The Word of God –

    His precepts –

    are the source of all wisdom, understanding, joy, and pleasure.

    Sweeter than honey! Yes, indeed.

    As I taste the Word I find it is the sweetest fare of all.

    Praise God!