Numbering My Days

Tag: jesus

  • 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.

  • Psalm 42

    As a deer longs for flowing streams,
    so I long for you, God.
    I thirst for God, the living God.

    Some days.

    Sometimes.

    It just feels like God’s presence is far away.

    I long for it – like a deer looking for a bit of water on a hot, dusty day.

    How may I quench this thirst for the presence of the living God in my life? For the stirring of the Holy Spirit, reviving me again?

    I know – this dry space is a place of my own making. I marched confidently off into this desert, thinking, “I have plenty of God, enough resources, all I’ll ever need.”

    But I find I don’t. I don’t have nearly enough.

    I want God’s living water poured out over me, streaming into my desert.

    Lord, my hope is in you.

    My Savior. My God.

    Note: The above illustration, inspired by this Psalm, v. 7 is where I’ve temporarily halted waterfall illustrations. Although I started another one . . . I may never be satisified with this image. I have something in my mind that I want to convey, just can’t seem to get it to come out right. I’ll keep trying. If I ever get a waterfall that makes me smile – I’ll share it. Meanwhile, “deep calls to deep . . .”

  • Psalm 40

    I waited patiently for the LORD,
    and he turned to me and heard my cry
    for help.

    David had deep trust – even when surrounded by enemies, when he was beset with troubles and even sin, he did not abandon his hope in the Lord. Instead he called out to Him, waited expectantly.

    And God heard.

    And responded.

    How often do I give up before the Lord makes His response known to me?

    I do believe He hears.

    I know He responds.

    Sometimes, though, my trust and hope falter, especially when I am aware of my sin which has turned my heart from the Lord.

    Lord, thank you for your mercy and grace that is always there, awaiting this penitent, needy man.

  • Psalm 35

    LORD, who is like you,
    rescuing the poor from one
    too strong for him.

    David’s look to the Lord for deliverance from his enemies seems, at first glance, to be self-serving, conceited, arrogant. After all, why should God choose to defend him, to destroy his enemies?

    The heart of this, for my benefit, is to realize that David’s relationship with the Lord was real, healthy, faith-filled, and based on the Lord’s character and holiness, not his own.

    So too, his enemies defied righteous, holy God almighty.

    David recognized his deliverance was due to God’s righteousness (v. 24), not his own.

    Last, for me, my enemies include the enemy – Satan – who longs for the destruction of anyone who trusts in Christ.

    Lord, rescue me!

  • Psalm 33

    The counsel of the LORD stands forever,
    the plans of his heart from generation
    to generation.

    God, creator and sustainer of all life, worthy of our worship and praise, is always – and always has been – pursuing His plan and purpose for His creation.

    He will not be thwarted.

    He cannot fail.

    He does nothing haphazardly.

    He intends for His creation to be subject to Christ and to Himself.

    There are days, moments, eras even, when this seems ludicrous: God in charge? In charge of this mess?

    But His plan,

    His counsel,

    His purpose will not falter or fail.

    In His time, according to His plan, He will fulfill all He has in mind.

    We put our hope in you, Lord!

  • Psalm 32

    How joyful is the one
    whose transgression
    is forgiven,
    whose sin is covered!

    Forgiven sin results in joy because of the true nature of joy.

    Joy is the absence of conflict – especially the absence of conflict between me and God.

    My sin causes that conflict to erupt, and maintains the state of chaos until I’m able, again, to be at peace with the Lord, to rest in His presence.

    I cannot manufacture this state of restored peace with God. I’m unable, because of my sin, to do anything to resolve the conflict because His nature is Holy and He can have nothing to do with me.

    Unless He covers my sin.

    Praise the Lord!

    I can have that peace,

    experience that joy –

    because He forgives and the sacrifice Christ has made, of Himself, covers my sin.

    What joy!

  • 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 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.