Numbering My Days

Tag: psalms

  • Psalm 91

    The one who lives
    under the protection
    of the most high
    dwells in the shadow of the Almighty.

    In God’s presence, under His almighty protection, is security. Real refuge. It is in “my God whom I trust.”

    • Rescue from the traps that ensnare.
    • Cover under his wings – warmth and safety.
    • Shield from the dangers around me.
    • Security when I am terrified –
      when the arrows fly.
    • Protection from plague and death even when thousands are falling around me.

    Why?

    Because I dwell in Him.

    He is my refuge.

    He surrounds me with His servants who are working and diligent to protect.

    Lord, be my refuge.

    I rely on, rest in, find security in you, and you alone.

    (An early, not so great attempt, at the palm in Psalm 92. This one proved to be quite a process!)

  • Psalm 90

    Teach us to number our days carefully
    so that we may develop wisdom
    in our hearts.

    For me, this has long been an important verse.

    In it, I understand that wisdom can be gained, acquired. It is not a gift only for one or two – even just a few, but for any, many, who look to the Lord as the source and supplier of wisdom.

    Teach me to number my days carefully.

    I need to count each day, and make them count.

    I only get a few, and there are fewer left at the end of every day.

    This perspective of valuing, using every day is at the heart of developing wisdom. I find it in the careful investment of my time.

    Lord, likewise, you give value to the work of our hands.

    Lord, may my hands not be idle or busy at vain, self-centered, self-serving activity.

    Give me wisdom to know you, source of all wisdom, and use me to fulfill your purposes.

  • Psalm 89:38-52

    How long, Lord?
    Will you hide forever?
    Will your anger keep burning
    with fire?

    This Psalm, that began with such confident declarations of faith, now turns – and in the pain and destruction of judgment, the Psalmist asks a question that has often been on my heart and lips.

    How long, Lord?

    I get it. You are leveling us with your judgment, your power.

    You have removed safeguards and blessings.

    You are allowing us to suffer the consequences of sin – and rightly so.

    There’s no reason for you to have compassion, to extend your faithful love.

    But Lord, I know you. You care about me – us.

    You love us.

    You hear.

    You see our repentant lives.

    How long will your judgment last?

    We need your rescue, your power, your redemption, your forgiveness. We know know that all comes only from you as a blessing and as an undeserved gift.

    We need you, Lord!

    Your are our only hope.

    Lord, save!

  • Psalm 89:1-37

    Righteousness and justice are
    the foundation
    of your throne;
    faithful love and truth go before you.

    My Lord, God, you are a powerful and miraculous creator. Sustainer of life.

    By your faithful love you establish the heavens and the earth;

    you fill it with your wonders;

    you make covenants with those who serve you.

    Your kingdom is known for:

    • Righteousness: rulers who lead people to do what is right – to live with others in honorable, godly ways.
    • Justice: you bring judgment on those who violate the just, righteous ways of your kingdom.

    Faithful love and truth proceed before you as you work in your kingdom.

    Lord God, who can stand – live – with you in this land?

    Be our shield, our righteousness, our salvation. For we cannot abide here without you, Lord God.

  • Psalm 88

    But I call to you for help, LORD;
    in the morning my prayer meets you.

    I have to admit, there are days when I feel like the author of this Psalm, Heman the Ezrahite. I continue to cry out to God, even first thing in the morning. And at times, it feels like God is not listening. Doesn’t hear. May not care.

    I have had enough troubles. I agree with the Psalmist

    I call out to God, though, from a place of faith. I still pray, early in the morning. I cry out to him “day and night.”

    Someone will ask: why? If he’s not listening, or doesn’t care, doesn’t respond, what good does it do?

    This Psalm doesn’t overtly reflect it – but here is my reply.

    Because: where else should I go? Can I go?

    He has always been faithful in the past. I haven’t deserved it, but He has worked on my behalf. I don’t see it today – but I believe.

    My God is at work, and it will be for His glory – that is my good!

    Lord, glorify yourself!

    Sunrise, on another beautiful day.

  • 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 86

    Teach me your way, LORD,
    and I will live by your truth.
    Give me an undivided mind to fear
    your name.

    This is the challenge of life – and the great gift of God. An undivided mind, focused, centered, held solely on Him and revering only His name.

    Lord, grant me this same gift. A mind, a life, a desire, a heart only sold out, only focused, undivided trusting you.

    Knowing you.

    You are compassionate, kind, forgiving.

    There is none like you.

    The Psalmist declared all this and what a glorious reminder it is to me.

    Lord, give me that undivided mind. Not torn apart by desire or deceit, but completely resting in you.

    “Protect my life,” – the Psalm says. I repeat.

    I’m yours Lord.

    Be mine.

    Thinking about Psalm 90, I considered this image of Sarah and Bree playing on the beach – making the most of each day.

  • Psalm 85

    Will you not revive us again
    so that your people may rejoice in you?
    Show us your faithful love, LORD,
    and give us your salvation.

    Revival – to be brought back to spiritual life, liveliness – this doesn’t spring forth from myself, ourselves. Though we must, may, place ourselves into a posture of repentance, longing for revival – revival itself is a gift from God.

    As life is a gift of God, so too, revival to the life of God is His to grant.

    His life, the revived life of the disciple is characterized by:
    – faithful love
    – truth
    – righteousness
    – peace.

    These blessings must flow to us from God above. I can’t manufacture them on my own.

    Yet I want them! Desire them.

    Lord, revive us again!

    Pour out your faithful love through the Holy Spirit – revive that we might live in joy for you!

    (Just a bit of the illustration to come for later in the week!)

  • Psalm 84

    My heart and flesh cry out
    for the living God.

    There is a longing for the presence of God!

    It is a common trope among evangelists that in every person is a God-shaped space that is waiting to be filled. It causes deep yearning – a desire that can only be completely satisfied, perfectly filled by God Himself.

    We (I) may look for satisfaction elsewhere. In fact, I do all the time.

    Drawn away, distracted by the shiny baubles of the world that promise joy, fulfillment, peace, satisfaction – but always, always – they fail to deliver.

    My only joy, true joy, peace, satisfaction, is in the presence of the LORD.

    Happy is the person who trusts in you, Lord of Armies.

    Lord, I long for you, and my heart cries out for you. Help me live with the integrity that honors you and no other.

    Better a day in your courts!

  • Psalm 83

    . . . so that they will seek your name, LORD.

    How interesting – surprising and enlightening: the Psalmist is praying for the destruction of the enemies of God, the enemies of Israel. He prays, asking God to wipe them out.

    OK – clear enough. The Psalmist wants God to rise up and destroy those who harbor and do evil against the people of God, against God Himself.

    But then, in the midst of this prayer, he states a purpose: so that they will seek your face. ? ? What is this? The Psalmist longs for his enemies to seek God.

    The only way to true peace, to full transformation of my enemies, is if they turn from their destructive ways and seek God. I must join the Psalmist and pray for those against me, against God and His people.

    Lord, act against them so that they discover who you are and seek you.

    Lord, save!

    Save us and save them – that together we may seek you.