Numbering My Days

Tag: jesus

  • 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 119:33-40

    Turn my heart to your decrees . . .
    Turn my eyes
    from looking at what is worthless;
    give me life in your ways    .

    There are endless distractions, and countless images that seek to pull my attention away from the Lord. They multiply daily and are so often mesmerizing – falsely attractive. Our world is filled with it – and overstuffed, growing more so every day. (So much – it’s rancid if I choose to dig around in it.)

    But there is salvation. A way to meaningful life. By turning my eyes to the Lord’s decrees. To His Word. To His precepts. To focus on Him and His glory, His truth, His beauty.

    It takes discipline to do this – but there is such reward. Great beauty, majesty, peace, wonder, joy: available today and forevermore.

    Turn my eyes upon Jesus!

    Amen.

  • Psalm 119:1-8

    How happy are those whose way
    is blameless,
    who walk according
    to the LORD’S instructions!

    So begins this wonderful Psalm – a Psalm that celebrates the Word of the Lord.

    Thank you, Lord, even for the faithful witness of the Psalmist who used his own gifts and talents to lead us in celebration of your Word, your wisdom, your commands, your revelation.

    I enter into the next many days with this Psalm with my heart open to your Word.

    May I enjoy the wisdom and enlightenment here. Lord, shine on me the light of your Word that shows me when I am not following your way, your Word, your precepts.

    I will seek you with all my heart.

    Lord, bring me the joy and gladness of your salvation through your Word and through your servant, Jesus Christ.

    In Him, we abide.

    I tried several ideas for the illustration of Ps 119:35 – I painted through on this one, just started here (more of it later) – but didn’t settle here. The idea, of course, a choice: the Lord’s path or a different direction.

  • Psalm 110

    This is the declaration of the LORD
    to my LORD:
    “Sit at my right hand . . . “
    “You are a priest forever
    according to the pattern
    of Melchizedek.”

    This is the triumphant and righteous Christ – ruling and leading His people.

    The victorious King, sitting at the Lord’s right hand. Victorious.

    And, serving His people as priest, not a priest bound by the Law, but a priest like Melchizedek. A priest who is right before God, who represents God to His people and the people to God. One with direct access through His sacrifice – His life, victorious on the cross.

    We rejoice, celebrate, honor this King the Priest. We know this is Jesus Christ, Son of God, Son of Man, ruling, reigning for us.

    Lord, be our King,

    Our Priest.

    Save us by your compassionate love – in Christ!

  • Psalm 94

    LORD, how long will the wicked –
    how long will the wicked celebrate?

    There is, and will be, a season in which the “wicked celebrate.” Injustice will be the normal course of business and government. Innocents will be harmed. Those who are vulnerable, killed, murdered by those in power.

    And those who look on with horror will wonder: how long?

    Doesn’t God see this? Will He not do something?

    “The Lord knows . . . “(v. 11). He isn’t missing what is happening, He will execute His righteous judgment.

    That is little consolation for people who are harmed by the wicked today. But, there is a place of refuge.

    The Lord is my refuge.

    My God is the rock of my protection.

    What we see today, experience in this life, is temporary and ultimately inconsequential.

    The Lord reigns.

    He rules.

    He will vindicate.

    Come, Lord Jesus!

  • Psalm 87

    Singers and dancers alike will say,
    “my whole source of joy is in you.”

    The source – the “spring” of joy – comes from the presence and blessings of God. He establishes the source and He fills it with Himself and His blessings.

    Then, He allows us to know the source, to find it, to enjoy it, to live in it – and to be filled with its joy.

    This was the city of Zion. It is the kingdom of God in Christ Jesus.

    He is the presence and blessing of God. He is the one worthy of our worship. He is the source of all joy and He invites us to enter into His presence, to discover the life He offers there, to enjoy it in the presence His people, and to sing and dance – to celebrate the source of joy.

    He is my whole source of joy!

    A day for joy!

  • Psalm 79

    God of our salvation, help us,
    for the glory of your name.

    I think God stands ready to help – me – us – His people. When our perspective and desires are rightly aligned.

    He saves us not for our own, my own, worth, plan, existence – whatever. He save us for His own glory. My perception, my desire must be first and all-consuming, always for His glory, His worth, His plan, His existence.

    When I am in this posture of humility, repentance, worship, then – He comes to save.

    Lord, give me the eyes to see you high and lifted up.

    • A heart that desires only your glory, your kingdom come.
    • A will completely surrendered to you for your glory, majesty, and rule.
    • Lord, come quickly and establish your kingdom, your rule.

    Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

    Amen.

    More of the image for Psalm 80.

  • 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 77

    I sought the LORD in my day of trouble.

    I understand the Psalmist’s anguish. Of course, I’ve felt it myself.

    Long sleepless nights, wondering why God doesn’t act, doesn’t hear? Doesn’t care?

    Still, I seek the Lord.

    I cry aloud to Him. He will hear me.

    It may seem like He has changed. Doesn’t pay attention. Is rejecting me.

    And I would – do – deserve that, for my regular neglect of Him and His way.

    But I know. I KNOW. He is faithful.

    He does not change.

    He has not moved.

    As He has worked in the past. He is at work today on behalf of His people.

    God your way is holy.

    Lord, hear my cry and strengthen me with your Spirit that I might be your servant.

    By the grace of Jesus Christ.

    (Last time with this image!)

  • Psalm 76

    God is known in Judah;
    His name is great in Israel.

    • God is great.
    • He establishes peace through His power and all the earth recognizes His authority, strength, and power.

    Who can stand before God?

    There are no people who have the might, strength, or righteousness to stand before almighty God – that is a fear-inducing truth. His wrath can be all-encompassing.

    He humbles even kings.

    Israel says (I join): “This is our God.”

    Yet I stand in the same fear and awe as the nations and kings judged.

    I look for the Messiah.

    He has come. To establish this mighty kingdom, and to make possible my participation in the kingdom.

    By the grace of God – by His mercy.

    God is known in my heart.

    By my Lord, Jesus Christ.