Numbering My Days

Tag: psalms

  • Psalm 52

    But I am like a flourishing olive tree
    in the house of God;
    I trust in God’s faithful love
    forever and ever.

    Friends, heroes, celebrities – even family will fail us. They may speak of our good and promise us safety, refuge and comfort.

    But only God is truly faithful. Only in Him do we find certain hope for what He will do to ensure our security, peace – our true comfort.

    Should we trust people?

    Yes – but not be surprised or found reliant on them when they fail – for I will fail too.

    Only God is truly, without doubt, without failure.

    In Him will I trust. He will establish my life and direct my path. In Him will I find life eternal.

  • Psalm 51

    God, create a clean heart for me
    and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
    . . . Restore the joy of your salvation to me,
    and sustain me by giving me
    a willing spirit.

    David teaches me: vs. 13 promises that he would.

    For I am as guilty as he and need cleansing; a clean heart, a renewed spirit, and the joy of the Lord’s salvation.

    Sin destroys us – me – in exactly the way it destroyed David and all others who have lived. Sometimes we imagine that there must be recompense we can pay to make all right with God again.

    But God – He desires integrity in the inner self. A broken spirit – repentance – humble acknowledgement that my sin has been the destroyer.

    I will humble myself before the Lord. I am brought low in His presence. His righteousness shines on the dark stain of my sin; it’s clear enough in His gaze.

    So Lord! Create a new heart; renew my spirit; restore the joy of your salvation.

  • Psalm 50

    Our God is coming; he will not be silent!

    Yes – as this Psalm promises, I may call on God in a day of trouble and He will rescue me.

    I count on that.

    But is is also true that He comes to judge. And He is not appeased with the insignificant “sacrifice” I make. It is already His and much more besides.

    He has no need of it. And His judgment is made, finding me, “flinging my words behind,” “associating” with the people of this world who have no fear or interest in God almighty.

    I must turn to Him. With thanksgiving for His unfailing mercy, His gracious gifts, and determine to live in a way that honors His presence.

    The heavens proclaim His righteousness!

    So must I.

  • 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 48

    God, within your temple,
    we contemplate your faithful love.
    Like your name, God, so your praise
    reaches to the ends of the earth;
    your right hand is filled with justice.

    It is in moments of worship that I most often am reminded of God’s faithful love – that essential quality from which pours His mercy, establishing His grace, sustaining His redemption. And, in His name, His reputation, His character, His very being: praise arises! From throughout all His creation.

    Praise God from whom all blessings flow.

    From here to there – everywhere we might see, travel, or imagine. And as He is praised, His justice arises with Him.

    Essential as His faithful love, so too, His justice rides forth in His creation to accomplish His purpose!

  • Psalm 47

    Clap your hands, all you peoples;
    shout to God with a jubilant cry.
    For the LORD, the Most High,
    is awe-inspiring . . .

    A call to worship – but more – a vision of of the joy, the rapture, the pleasure of God’s people – all His peoples, joining together in raucous worship.

    Celebrate our LORD, Most High!

    He is the King.

    His glory is unmatched.

    He shall receive the praise, glory, and worship of all.

    Even the leaders of all nations belong to Him and will, in one glorious, cacophonous moment, praise Him in His glory.

    He is greatly exalted.

    Let’s worship!

  • Psalm 46

    God is our refuge and strength,
    a helper who is always found
    in times of trouble.

    I could wish for a life, a world, without troubles.

    No illness.

    No conflict.

    No disasters.

    No hunger.

    No need.

    But this is the real world – beset with sin since Adam and Eve laid waste to Eden by their sin – and opened the way for a cascade of sin from every one of us every day since.

    We are the spoilers.

    But, our Creator, Sustainer, Redeemer, and Lord, knows our need. And He is the refuge we find in days of trouble.

    No surprise to Him – none of it – and He makes Himself available for me, for any, who seek refuge during the troubles of life.

    In His care we are redeemed.

    I used this reference photo from someone selling shofars to create these sketches:

    and they became the inspiration for the illustration for Psalm 47 – we’ll see tomorrow.

  • Psalm 45

    Mighty Warrior, strap your sword
    at your side. . . .
    In your splendor ride triumphantly
    in the cause of truth, humility,
    and justice.
    This Psalm – a royal wedding song – declares the mission of the King. To ride forth in splendor to assure that truth, humility, and justice prevail in the kingdom.

    How often we fail, as humans, to protect those core values of the King’s kingdom. We prefer status over truth. Power over humility. Wealth over justice.

    We side with the wrong things. But God, when He sends forth His warrior, will see His Kingdom established: the last shall be first; the little child shall lead them; and justice, humility, truth – His righteousness shall prevail.

    Lord, come quickly!

  • Psalm 44

    We boast in God all day long;
    we will boast in your name forever. Selah

    The psalmist seems to have a lot to complain about. (On some days, who doesn’t?)

    His enemies seem to be winning. God seems to have forgotten him and all people.

    He claims they have remained faithful to the Lord, but God is silent.

    He feels crushed by his circumstances.

    Yet, in the midst of this difficult day, the psalmist declares that he will boast in the Lord.

    God is good! All the time.

    It may not feel like it, seem like it, but He is always at work on my behalf.

    Good God!

    (A shofar. The illustration for an upcoming Psalm.)

  • 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.