Numbering My Days

Tag: jesus

  • Psalm 70

    God, hurry to rescue me.

    This is the cry of the soul who recognizes his sin, his need of a savior.

    Too often I rely on my own strength, my own devices to try to wriggle out from under the destructive forces of sin – of the enemy who pursues me to destroy me.

    I need to open my eyes and see that I have no resource on my own to defeat this enemy. He knows me so well because I have so often given myself to his devices.

    So, Lord, I call to you. Same desperation as David. Hurry to help me! This evil one, with his crafty ways, is closing me in.

    I know you, Lord Jesus, are the victorious King who has already won this war.

    Defeat the enemy in my battle, today!

    That I may “rejoice and be glad in you!”

    Lord Jesus, come quickly.

  • 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 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)

  • Psalm 65

    (Closer to the image in my mind than the earlier version.)

    You visit the earth
    and water it abundantly,
    enriching it greatly.
    God’s stream is filled with water,
    for you prepare the earth in this way,
    providing people with grain.

    My devotional reading today is fascinating. Two other passages I’ve read, plus this one, all use water from God as a promise of His blessings and provisions – AND it is raining outside my window, for the first time in quite a while.

    The Word of the Lord:

    • He provides. His blessings and provisions flow to me like rain, causing all that is around me to flourish in the goodness He gives.
    • I can be a source of His blessing to others. Because I receive blessings beyond measure from a gracious God, I can be a conduit, source, vessel that He uses to bless others.

    Lord, for those who will be blessed BY YOU – may I be your servant to them; a channel of your living water.

    Through Jesus Christ our Lord!

  • Psalm 64

    The righteous one rejoices in the LORD
    and takes refuge in him;
    All those who are upright in heart
    will offer praise.

    There are people who are aligned with God – who desire to be righteous before Him, to be upright in heart; they desire that their motives and actions will honor and bring praise to the Lord.

    David longed for that.

    But he also realized that there are people whose very existence is centered on the destruction of those seeking to follow the Lord. They lay traps for them, scheme against them.

    I believe that is true today. The enemy, Satan, is still scheming, longing to entrap those who would follow Christ, seek to know Him, desire His righteousness.

    Satan longs to destroy that.

    But my Lord is a refuge when I am threatened, a protector when I am pursued.

    Praise God for His righteousness.

    This week’s image is from Psalm 65. This is NOT the final illustration, but an early version that I wasn’t too pleased with – but it gave me direction for the final (we’ll share that tomorrow.)

  • Psalm 62

    I am at rest in God alone;
    my salvation comes from Him.

    We (I) should return to this Psalm often. It is so clearly true and plainly understood.

    There is only one source of security, rest, blessing, and well-being in life. God almighty.

    • Rock
    • Fortress
    • Stronghold
    • My salvation!

    My hope comes only from Him. My salvation depends on Him. (Thank God it doesn’t depend on me or anyone other than Jesus, my Lord!)

    All of life is nothing but vapor – an illusion – and even wealth cannot be depended on.

    I will, I do, place my trust, my hope, my future, my security in Him alone.

    He is my rock and my salvation.

  • 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 49

    They trust in their wealth
    and boast in their abundant riches.
    Yet these cannot redeem a person
    or pay his ransom to God –
    since the price of redeeming him is
    too costly.

    Here is the stark truth of our world – and the glorious redemption.

    We cannot buy, or earn, our way into an eternity with God. He is not bought or impressed by earthly riches. (He owns it all!)

    So, there is no ransom for me in the accumulation of stuff or power. No sense in trusting any of this. The price for my redemption is too costly.

    Praise God from whom all blessings flow: He has paid the redemption price for me,

    for us,

    for all who will believe and recognize Jesus as Lord.

    God will redeem me, the Psalmist declares. And, HE HAS!

    I cannot pay the price.

    He already has.

    A last look at the ram’s horn.

  • Psalm 43

    Send your light and your truth; let them
    lead me.
    Let them bring me
    to your holy mountain,
    to your dwelling place.

    God’s “light” illumines the path.

    It provides insight and disclosure.

    Light drives out uncertainty, fear, and hesitancy.

    His “truth” guides me, the pilgrim, in the right direction – with righteousness and confidence in the circumstances ahead.

    The light and truth do not ensure an easy journey – or one without risk, peril, pain, or cost. But light and truth do ensure the presence of God, the companionship of Jesus Christ, and hope for eternity.

    That is the destination on a journey lit by His truth – the hope of everlasting joy in His kingdom.

    A portion of this week’s illustration, from Psalm 47.