Numbering My Days

Tag: psalms

  • Psalm 22

    My God, my God, why have you
    abandoned me? . . .
    Their descendants will serve him; . . .
    they will declare what he has done.

    Jesus, on the cross, quoted this Psalm.

    Yes, I think He was alone, abandoned by all – even the Father who could not bear to be in the presence of sin. And He carried all the sin of the world, including mine, to that moment on the cross.

    This Psalm also declares the victory won by the righteous one, the suffering servant. I’m certain this was on Jesus’ mind as He quoted this Psalm.

    And so today, along with generations before me, I will “declare what He has done.”

    Sin and death defeated.

    The grave overcome.

    The good news of a restored relationship with the Father because of the faithful Jesus on the cross.

    My God!

  • Psalm 21

    LORD, the king finds joy
    in your strength.

    The strength and might of the Lord is a delight, a joy for those who trust in, rely on, the Lord.

    The Lord blesses and endows the king – and all who submit to his reign – with “rich blessings.”

    Not so for those who oppose the Lord. Death and damnation await those who defy the Lord and who fight against the Lord’s chosen.

    Lord, make clear to me those you bless, that we might not oppose you and your plan, your will.

    In Christ we trust – He is my eternal King!

  • Psalm 20

    Some take pride in chariots, and
    others in horses,
    but we take pride in the name of the
    LORD our God.

    Victory – any triumph over the evil one is accomplished not by my might, my resources, human weapons.

    Victory in the great conflict comes as I rely on, recognize, take pride, comfort, and shelter in the name of the Lord.

    He gives victory.

    He achieves the victory and brings us along to observe it and to enjoy the fruit of His victory.

    Praise the Lord!

    He rules!

    He reigns!

    He is mighty!

    He brings the victory.

    Through Jesus Christ our Lord . . .

  • Psalm 19

    The heavens declare the glory of God, . . .
    The precepts of the LORD are right, . . .
    May the words of my mouth
    and the meditations of my heart
    be acceptable to you,
    LORD, my rock and my Redeemer.

    There is testimony to God all around us.

    The rising sun.

    The glory of the sky.

    The beauty of the planets and stars.

    Even the course of the sun.

    All of it testifies to the majestic glory of God, almighty, creator.

    Not only that, He has provided His Word that we might know and fear Him. We can have life today and in eternity that is secured by almighty God – my Rock and my Redeemer!

    (an earlier version of Psalm 18. #learningmoreeveryday)

  • Psalm 18

    The LORD is my rock,
    my fortress, and my deliverer,
    my God, my rock where I seek refuge,
    my shield and the horn of my salvation,
    my stronghold.

    This is a rich Psalm, full of imagery to write about, to consider illustrating – more importantly, to understand as a way to view and recognize God, especially in times of danger, insecurity, or fear.

    The Lord is my place of refuge.

    He isn’t just“like” a rock,

    “like” a fortress,

    “like” a stronghold.

    He is those things.

    A firm immovable foundation of solid rock;

    a deliverer when I am pursued;

    a shield from the blast of sin and torment;

    salvation – strong salvation when I am astray.

    He is my stronghold. My secure, impenetrable place of rest and security.

  • Psalm 17

    Display the wonders
    of your faithful love,
    Savior of all who seek refuge
    from those who rebel
    against your right hand.

    Sooner or later most of us face opposition – and we (I), should expect that might come from people who oppose the faith I have, from those who would prefer to think there is no mighty God who rules the universe.

    But, you Lord, can display your faithful love (chesed)
    that saves us,
    that protects us,
    that provides for us,
    that becomes our shield against those who oppose us when we stand for you.

    Lord, I trust in you. I rely completely on your protection and provision.

    I will make you known throughout the earth!

    (a similar portion of the illustration for Psalm 18 – reflects the safe refuge of this Psalm as well.)

  • Psalm 16

    The boundary lines have fallen for me
    in pleasant places;
    indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.

    This Psalm begins with the recognition that God is my refuge, and “I have nothing good besides you.”

    My inheritance is the place of refuge where I find in the Lord. A beautiful place, the boundaries of which are set to hem me in with His protection, love, and provision.

    And this is not a prison place – restrictive or restricting my life and forcing me to dwell herein. No meager accommodations or a lack of beauty and joy here.

    No! This place is a lovely spot of pleasure.

    The presence of the Lord is a wide open plain. A bright sunny expanse of beach. Mountaintops as far as the eyes can see.

    A pleasant place.

    Thank you Lord for your provision.

    Your presence is a beautiful, wonderful place to be.

  • Psalm 15

    LORD, who can dwell in your tent?
    Who can live on your holy mountain?

    No one!

    No one is perfectly blameless, righteous.

    No one alway acknowledges the truth.

    No one lives perfectly toward other people – friends or not.

    No one can perfectly live up to the standards that grant access to God’s presence.

    That’s the whole point of the gospel.

    The good news is that God still desires a relationship with us (me!) regardless of our (my) failures. And in His perfect righteousness, He provides The Way.

    Jesus Christ lived that way! Perfect in every regard.

    He stands for us in the judgment and invites us to join Him with the Father.

    Praise Jesus for His salvation.

    (Psalm 18 provides the inspiration for this week’s illustration. This is a slice of an early edition of what became the artwork for Psalm 18.)

  • Psalm 14

    The fool says in his heart,
    “There’s no God.”

    The Psalmist’s clarity and honesty here are amazing.

    He’s right, of course. No one “does good.” “All have become corrupt.”

    This is the influence, the result of sin on everyone.

    No one can stand up as righteous before almighty God.

    No one.

    Except Jesus.

    The Psalmist pleads for deliverance to come.

    He has come!

    Jesus is the righteousness of God, made man that, through Him, all who trust in Him may stand right before God. Not on their own merit – but on His sacrifice.

    The fool refuses to see, hear, or know God through Christ.

    Praise God for His mercy that draws us to Him through Jesus Christ, our Redeemer.

    One last image reminding me of the truth of Psalm 8.

  • Psalm 13

    But I have trusted in your faithful love;
    my heart will rejoice in
    your deliverance.

    Sometimes I feel a distance between me and God. No doubt, my fault. He doesn’t go anywhere – He is unchanged, unchangeable.

    It’s me that has neglected Him.

    Forgotten to pray.

    Wandered – or marched – into sin.

    Seeking my own agenda, plan, pleasure.

    Whatever.

    But when I turn to find the Lord, distance is there rather than His presence. I feel discouraged. Alone. Guilty. Shamed.

    I wonder: how long will I be in this mess?

    But the Lord has not forgotten. Not been idle.

    I have trusted in Him and will continue to trust until I find joy once again in Him.

    Lord,deliver me so that I may know the joy of my heart – you!