Numbering My Days

Tag: god

  • 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 . . . )

  • Psalm 28

    Blessed be the LORD,
    for he has heard the sound of
    my pleading.
    The LORD is my strength
    and my shield;
    my heart trusts in him,
    and I am helped.

    David’s cry to the Lord at the beginning of this Psalm seems to suggest that he is desperate, or in a moment of crisis – not certain whether god will hear and answer.

    I believe, though, this may be a cry that is filled with faith and assurance.

    David cries out, calling with specificity, expecting God to hear him and to take action for him.

    O, that I/we would have such faith; to know that when I cry out to God it can, should, be from a place of great assurance that God will answer.

    Then I can also join with David to declare:

    I am helped! Praise God.

  • Psalm 27

    The LORD is my light
    and my salvation –
    whom should I fear?
    The LORD is the stronghold of my life –
    whom should I dread?

    David had unshakeable confidence and courage based in his Lord – Yahweh.

    Amazing!

    Though surrounded by enemies, hounded by even those he sought to serve, David remained convinced that the Lord, who had protected him in the past, would protect him again today, and in the future.

    I need confidence like that!

    And a memory of what the Lord has done for me to fuel that courage.

    Lord, bring to my mind all the glorious moments you have been my Savior,

    Provider,

    Protector.

    In you I have full confidence that you will guide and protect me – in all the days ahead.

    All the days!

  • Psalm 26

    Test me, LORD, and try me;
    examine my heart and mind.
    For your faithful love guides me,
    and I live by your truth..

    David had amazing confidence in his relationship with the Lord – and must have been diligent in his spiritual life. Amazing: to challenge the Lord to examine him, to test him because he was certain of his integrity before the Lord.

    This must have been “the David” – the man after God’s heart.

    Lord, my confidence is only in Jesus Christ.

    In Him I stand before you and can withstand the scrutiny of your righteous judgment.

    Without Christ I am guilty.

    Full of insecurity.

    I know my heart is not pure.

    My confidence, though, is in Christ!

    In Christ alone, my hope is found.

  • Psalm 25

    Remember, LORD, your compassion
    and your faithful love,
    for they have existed from antiquity.
    Do not remember the sins of my youth
    or my acts of rebellion;
    in keeping with your faithful love,
    remember me
    because of your goodness, LORD.

    This is my prayer: that the Lord would remember His own faithfulness and love, and somehow forget my sin and rebellion.

    I know that God does just that – through Jesus Christ. He is faithful, and He recalls His faithfulness because He is good.

    Not me.

    He doesn’t remember because of my need or deeds, but because of His nature.

    He is faithful.

    He is love.

    He grants mercy for His sake.

  • Psalm 24

    The earth and everything in it,
    the world and its inhabitants,
    belong to the LORD;
    for he laid its foundation on the seas
    and established it on the rivers.

    This is a powerful Psalm of praise to Creator God.

    A recognition of His power,

    creativity,

    holiness,

    divine providence,

    and righteousness.

    It calls all of us, and all of heaven and earth, to worship Him.

    Yet it also recognizes my unworthiness to stand and worship in His presence, because He is holy; I am not.

    Still, on the return of the Ark of the Covenant, the entrance of Christ into Jerusalem, and at Christ’s wonderful ascension – all creation pauses to lift up heads, hands, hearts, and voices to recognize the Great King of Kings:

    Jesus Christ.

  • Psalm 23

    The Lord is my shepherd;
    I have what I need.

    He provides –

    Rest

    Renewal

    Direction

    Security

    Protection

    Correction

    Sustenance

    Blessing

    He pursues me . . .

    I will dwell in His House all my days.

  • Psalm 22

    My God, my God, why have you
    abandoned me? . . .
    Their descendants will serve him; . . .
    they will declare what he has done.

    Jesus, on the cross, quoted this Psalm.

    Yes, I think He was alone, abandoned by all – even the Father who could not bear to be in the presence of sin. And He carried all the sin of the world, including mine, to that moment on the cross.

    This Psalm also declares the victory won by the righteous one, the suffering servant. I’m certain this was on Jesus’ mind as He quoted this Psalm.

    And so today, along with generations before me, I will “declare what He has done.”

    Sin and death defeated.

    The grave overcome.

    The good news of a restored relationship with the Father because of the faithful Jesus on the cross.

    My God!