Numbering My Days

Tag: salvation

  • Psalm 106

    Save us, LORD our God,
    and gather us from the nations,
    so that we may give thanks
    to your holy name
    and rejoice in your praise.

    Save us, Lord!

    From what?

    From ourselves.

    We turn from God to worship what is worthless even when you, Lord, have proven yourself a faithful redeemer and savior.

    • Rescued us from Egypt – yet we rebel.
    • Sustained us in the desert – still we turn to sour rejection of your goodness.
    • Lord, though you provide, we worship the worthless. Become vile in our own actions, adopting the customs and rebellions of people known for their distance from you.

    Lord, save us again!

    From ourselves.

    In your lovingkindness, compassion, mercy – remember us, your children. Grant us your mercy that we may rest in you.

    Blessed be the Lord.

    A dawn sky – I love the morning sky; so hard to capture.

  • Psalm 94

    LORD, how long will the wicked –
    how long will the wicked celebrate?

    There is, and will be, a season in which the “wicked celebrate.” Injustice will be the normal course of business and government. Innocents will be harmed. Those who are vulnerable, killed, murdered by those in power.

    And those who look on with horror will wonder: how long?

    Doesn’t God see this? Will He not do something?

    “The Lord knows . . . “(v. 11). He isn’t missing what is happening, He will execute His righteous judgment.

    That is little consolation for people who are harmed by the wicked today. But, there is a place of refuge.

    The Lord is my refuge.

    My God is the rock of my protection.

    What we see today, experience in this life, is temporary and ultimately inconsequential.

    The Lord reigns.

    He rules.

    He will vindicate.

    Come, Lord Jesus!

  • Psalm 93

    LORD, your testimonies
    are completely reliable;
    holiness adorns your house
    for all the days to come.

    Who knows what is true anymore?

    Sometimes I can’t – shouldn’t – believe my own eyes and ears.

    AI and the evil imaginations and machinations of men (people) make what is visible and what is aural irrelevant and unbelievable.

    But God’s testimonies are reliable.

    His Word , His acts, His movement through this world – that is what I can – will – trust.

    Why?

    Because He is Holy and His presence, His residence is Holy. It is completely unique. There is nothing like it and it cannot be imitated or duplicated.

    Lord, you are Holy.

    Your Word is Holy.

    Your acts and your presence are Holy.

    Praise God! In your holiness: redeem us!

  • 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 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 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.

  • Psalm 80

    Restore us LORD, God of Armies,
    Make your face shine on us, so
    that we may be saved.

    The psalmist repeats this plea throughout this Psalm – “Restore us!”

    It is the heart-cry of a repentant soul, a repentant leader, even, who recognizes that God’s people, once a flourishing people of God, are in need of repentance, forgiveness, and restoration.

    How odd that sounds to the ears of contemporary people. We are self-made and completely great as we are. I don’t need to return to the Lord. I’ve broken out. Become more genuinely me.

    Yes indeed! And the genuine me is a real sinner in need of a savior.

    God restore.

    Bring me not only to repentance, but grant me mercy. Forgive and restore to me the joy of my salvation.

    Through Jesus Christ, my Lord!

  • Psalm 79

    God of our salvation, help us,
    for the glory of your name.

    I think God stands ready to help – me – us – His people. When our perspective and desires are rightly aligned.

    He saves us not for our own, my own, worth, plan, existence – whatever. He save us for His own glory. My perception, my desire must be first and all-consuming, always for His glory, His worth, His plan, His existence.

    When I am in this posture of humility, repentance, worship, then – He comes to save.

    Lord, give me the eyes to see you high and lifted up.

    • A heart that desires only your glory, your kingdom come.
    • A will completely surrendered to you for your glory, majesty, and rule.
    • Lord, come quickly and establish your kingdom, your rule.

    Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

    Amen.

    More of the image for Psalm 80.

  • Psalm 78

    We . . . will tell a future generation
    the praiseworthy acts of the LORD . . .
    So that they might put their confidence
    in God.

    It’s my duty, my pleasure, my work to tell of the Lord’s mighty acts – so that in the future my grandchildren, and their children, will know Him and put their trust, their faith, in Him.

    Yes, God did all that the Psalmist recorded in this hymn of praise. He brought Israel out of bondage provided for them, settled them in the land, made a way for David to rule.

    And, His work continued. Through David’s line came Jesus Christ, who has brought me out of bondage to sin that I may dwell with Him in eternity

    And His work continues – to all who believe, place their faith in Jesus as Lord, there is eternal provision. God is worthy to be praised for He always works to establish His kingdom –

    and for His glory –

    I will tell!

    (a portion of the image for Psalm 80.)

  • Psalm 77

    I sought the LORD in my day of trouble.

    I understand the Psalmist’s anguish. Of course, I’ve felt it myself.

    Long sleepless nights, wondering why God doesn’t act, doesn’t hear? Doesn’t care?

    Still, I seek the Lord.

    I cry aloud to Him. He will hear me.

    It may seem like He has changed. Doesn’t pay attention. Is rejecting me.

    And I would – do – deserve that, for my regular neglect of Him and His way.

    But I know. I KNOW. He is faithful.

    He does not change.

    He has not moved.

    As He has worked in the past. He is at work today on behalf of His people.

    God your way is holy.

    Lord, hear my cry and strengthen me with your Spirit that I might be your servant.

    By the grace of Jesus Christ.

    (Last time with this image!)