Numbering My Days

Tag: gospel

  • 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 119:81-88

    I long for your salvation;
    I put my hope in your word.

    Lord, your salvation is the desire of my heart.

    It is:

    • Eternal security
    • Meaningful life now
    • Abundant life, filled with your joy, Your goodness
    • Provision for today and hope for tomorrow
    • Relationship with you, Creator, Sustainer of life
    • Rescue from the sin that besets me – pulls me under

    In your Word I find hope for the salvation you offer and provide.

    In your Word there is

    • forgiveness
    • peace
    • joy
    • a sure foundation for the life I long for

    Lord, save me, by the power of the Gospel through Jesus Christ my Lord.

  • Psalm 85

    Will you not revive us again
    so that your people may rejoice in you?
    Show us your faithful love, LORD,
    and give us your salvation.

    Revival – to be brought back to spiritual life, liveliness – this doesn’t spring forth from myself, ourselves. Though we must, may, place ourselves into a posture of repentance, longing for revival – revival itself is a gift from God.

    As life is a gift of God, so too, revival to the life of God is His to grant.

    His life, the revived life of the disciple is characterized by:
    – faithful love
    – truth
    – righteousness
    – peace.

    These blessings must flow to us from God above. I can’t manufacture them on my own.

    Yet I want them! Desire them.

    Lord, revive us again!

    Pour out your faithful love through the Holy Spirit – revive that we might live in joy for you!

    (Just a bit of the illustration to come for later in the week!)

  • Psalm 82

    God stands in the divine assembly;
    he pronounces judgment
    among the gods:
    “How long will you judge unjustly
    and show partiality to the wicked?”

    Today’s reading – this Psalm, as well as Ezekiel, John, 2 Peter, Job (other passages I read this morning) – all are about judgment.

    God stands!

    He is not blind to the injustice of the world.

    He sees the wickedness of earthly rulers who prefer the wealthy and mighty.

    He sees those who take advantage or ignore the plight of the vulnerable, the needy, fatherless, oppressed, the destitute.

    Judgment comes for all, especially so it seems, on these earthly, powerful people who could be instruments of God’s grace, but instead ignore the plight of the poor to live as kings of the earth.

    Lord, bring judgment.

    Remember the godly.

    Rescue and restore those who long for your kingdom, your justice.

    Your glory!

  • Psalm 80

    Restore us LORD, God of Armies,
    Make your face shine on us, so
    that we may be saved.

    The psalmist repeats this plea throughout this Psalm – “Restore us!”

    It is the heart-cry of a repentant soul, a repentant leader, even, who recognizes that God’s people, once a flourishing people of God, are in need of repentance, forgiveness, and restoration.

    How odd that sounds to the ears of contemporary people. We are self-made and completely great as we are. I don’t need to return to the Lord. I’ve broken out. Become more genuinely me.

    Yes indeed! And the genuine me is a real sinner in need of a savior.

    God restore.

    Bring me not only to repentance, but grant me mercy. Forgive and restore to me the joy of my salvation.

    Through Jesus Christ, my Lord!

  • Psalm 78

    We . . . will tell a future generation
    the praiseworthy acts of the LORD . . .
    So that they might put their confidence
    in God.

    It’s my duty, my pleasure, my work to tell of the Lord’s mighty acts – so that in the future my grandchildren, and their children, will know Him and put their trust, their faith, in Him.

    Yes, God did all that the Psalmist recorded in this hymn of praise. He brought Israel out of bondage provided for them, settled them in the land, made a way for David to rule.

    And, His work continued. Through David’s line came Jesus Christ, who has brought me out of bondage to sin that I may dwell with Him in eternity

    And His work continues – to all who believe, place their faith in Jesus as Lord, there is eternal provision. God is worthy to be praised for He always works to establish His kingdom –

    and for His glory –

    I will tell!

    (a portion of the image for Psalm 80.)

  • Psalm 74

    There are no signs for us to see.
    There is no longer a prophet .
    And none of us knows how long
    this will last.

    There are times, and right now 2025 seems like one of those times, when the enemies of God, those who trample righteousness, faith, hope, and joy – well, they seem to have the upper hand.

    Lord, many days, it is hard to see your hand at work in the world. The greedy and immoral profit at the expense of the poor and needy. Even your name is abused by the powerful and the resistors alike.

    Few people proclaim the gospel. Fewer still seek you, worship you, desire your will to be done.

    And none of us knows how long this will last.

    In John 6:29-40: Lord, you call on me to believe. I will strive to focus my attention, affections, and my efforts on you. You, Lord, are THE ANSWER.

    The Great King.

    Almighty eternal ruler.

    Rule in my heart, Lord.

    Amen

    (Closer still)

  • Psalm 69

    But as for me, LORD,
    My prayer to you is for a time of favor.
    In your abundant, faithful love, God,
    Answer me with your sure salvation.

    David called out to God for salvation – aware of his own sin. Sin that led him into the miry pit. There he recognized that only merciful, gracious, loving God could save him

    So, he called out.

    And even prayed for the favor of God on his life.

    He also foretells Christ’s experience on the cross, suffering for my sins: Jesus endured insults, injury, thirst, death on my behalf – that I might come to experience the grace and favor of God.

    Lord, indeed you hear the cry of the needy.

    In my life, Lord, you have heard and responded in grace to me. I will praise you for your constant love and compassion, because, like David, I walk myself into the pit of sin.

    Rescue me Lord, not because of my life, but because of your abundant compassion.

  • Psalm 67

    . . . so that your way may be known
    on earth,
    your salvation among all nations.

    God has richly blessed me:

    • His mercy has provided salvation, spiritual security.
    • His grace flows to provide every need I have.
    • His love is reflected in the family, friends, and in the fellowship of His Church.

    I join my voice, my life, my energy, my being to the chorus of the faithful:

    • Praise God from whom all blessings flow.
    • He is worthy to receive power, glory, honor.
    • I lift my hands, heart, head, and life in this chorus of praise to almighty God and to Jesus Christ our Lord.

    To God by the glory! Great things He has done.

    May all the world know through our praise!

    (Another step toward the finish)

  • Psalm 66

    Come and listen, all who fear God,
    and I will tell what he has done for me.

    This psalm is all about worship and praise of God almighty. And in the midst of praise to God, there is the chance, the moment for personal testimony, for the worshipper to let everyone know what God has done for them.

    Lord, you have been my source, my strength, my solace, my joy.

    You have held me up.

    Held me close.

    Lord you win the victory for me when I am too weak to go another step.

    Lord, you provide, sustain, give lavishly to me.

    You are the Lord of my life!

    I worship you.

    Listen, if I can’t tell you anything else, know this: God almighty loves you, has provided for you, has made a way for you – through Jesus Christ our risen Lord.

    Praise Him!

    Honor Him!

    Love Him!

    He rules!

    Amen.

    (WIP – along the way to Ps 65)