Numbering My Days

Tag: salvation

  • Psalm 72

    For he will rescue the poor
    who cry out
    and the afflicted who have
    no helper.
    He will have pity on the poor
    and helpless
    and save the lives of the poor.
    He will redeem them
    from oppression and violence,
    for their lives are precious
    in his sight.

    The righteous King: sees the plight of the most vulnerable in his kingdom. And though they can do nothing for him, they can’t bring him gold, power, or fame like others do, he has pity on them.

    He redeems them from oppression.

    The King extends his own resources to buy back the lives of the poor and needy in his kingdom.

    Solomon was such a king – but just a glimpse of Jesus – THE Righteous King.

    Jesus redeems us, poor and pitiable as we are; in bondage to sin of our own making.

    He sees us.

    We are precious in His sight.

    He redeems us.

    He HAS redeemed me.

    Praise Jesus!

    (A start on one version of this illustration, but I already know I don’t like it – it’s not what I see.)

  • Psalm 70

    God, hurry to rescue me.

    This is the cry of the soul who recognizes his sin, his need of a savior.

    Too often I rely on my own strength, my own devices to try to wriggle out from under the destructive forces of sin – of the enemy who pursues me to destroy me.

    I need to open my eyes and see that I have no resource on my own to defeat this enemy. He knows me so well because I have so often given myself to his devices.

    So, Lord, I call to you. Same desperation as David. Hurry to help me! This evil one, with his crafty ways, is closing me in.

    I know you, Lord Jesus, are the victorious King who has already won this war.

    Defeat the enemy in my battle, today!

    That I may “rejoice and be glad in you!”

    Lord Jesus, come quickly.

  • Psalm 69

    But as for me, LORD,
    My prayer to you is for a time of favor.
    In your abundant, faithful love, God,
    Answer me with your sure salvation.

    David called out to God for salvation – aware of his own sin. Sin that led him into the miry pit. There he recognized that only merciful, gracious, loving God could save him

    So, he called out.

    And even prayed for the favor of God on his life.

    He also foretells Christ’s experience on the cross, suffering for my sins: Jesus endured insults, injury, thirst, death on my behalf – that I might come to experience the grace and favor of God.

    Lord, indeed you hear the cry of the needy.

    In my life, Lord, you have heard and responded in grace to me. I will praise you for your constant love and compassion, because, like David, I walk myself into the pit of sin.

    Rescue me Lord, not because of my life, but because of your abundant compassion.

  • Psalm 68

    God arises. His enemies scatter, . . .
    God in his holy dwelling is
    a father of the fatherless
    and a champion of widows.

    Lord, God Almighty, this Psalm recalls and highlights all the ways you are powerful.

    Creator of life.

    Sustainer.

    Restorer.

    Conqueror.

    Savior.

    And I see how you’ve chosen to apply your majesty and power. You are “father to the fatherless.” “Champion of widows.”

    Lord, you use your power, your might, your majesty on behalf of the most vulnerable. And the world sees it, and rejoices.

    Your enemies – those who love war who take advantage of the vulnerable – they can’t stand in your presence.

    They melt away.

    Praise God in the sanctuary!

  • Psalm 67

    . . . so that your way may be known
    on earth,
    your salvation among all nations.

    God has richly blessed me:

    • His mercy has provided salvation, spiritual security.
    • His grace flows to provide every need I have.
    • His love is reflected in the family, friends, and in the fellowship of His Church.

    I join my voice, my life, my energy, my being to the chorus of the faithful:

    • Praise God from whom all blessings flow.
    • He is worthy to receive power, glory, honor.
    • I lift my hands, heart, head, and life in this chorus of praise to almighty God and to Jesus Christ our Lord.

    To God by the glory! Great things He has done.

    May all the world know through our praise!

    (Another step toward the finish)

  • Psalm 66

    Come and listen, all who fear God,
    and I will tell what he has done for me.

    This psalm is all about worship and praise of God almighty. And in the midst of praise to God, there is the chance, the moment for personal testimony, for the worshipper to let everyone know what God has done for them.

    Lord, you have been my source, my strength, my solace, my joy.

    You have held me up.

    Held me close.

    Lord you win the victory for me when I am too weak to go another step.

    Lord, you provide, sustain, give lavishly to me.

    You are the Lord of my life!

    I worship you.

    Listen, if I can’t tell you anything else, know this: God almighty loves you, has provided for you, has made a way for you – through Jesus Christ our risen Lord.

    Praise Him!

    Honor Him!

    Love Him!

    He rules!

    Amen.

    (WIP – along the way to Ps 65)

  • Psalm 62

    I am at rest in God alone;
    my salvation comes from Him.

    We (I) should return to this Psalm often. It is so clearly true and plainly understood.

    There is only one source of security, rest, blessing, and well-being in life. God almighty.

    • Rock
    • Fortress
    • Stronghold
    • My salvation!

    My hope comes only from Him. My salvation depends on Him. (Thank God it doesn’t depend on me or anyone other than Jesus, my Lord!)

    All of life is nothing but vapor – an illusion – and even wealth cannot be depended on.

    I will, I do, place my trust, my hope, my future, my security in Him alone.

    He is my rock and my salvation.

  • Psalm 60

    Give us aid against the foe,
    for human help is worthless.
    With God we will perform valiantly;
    he will trample our foes.

    In my battle against the enemy, against the tempter who longs to take me down, and keep me down, there is really only one source of reliable help.

    Human help is worthless.

    But aid from above – from my Lord – is what I need to win the battle. With Him I can “perform valiantly.” Yet even so, not I, but Him.
    He leads the charge.

    He deploys the weapon.

    He brings Holy aid.

    He gives the victory.

    He “tramples the foe.”

    Not me.

    Not even when I battle with Him as my aid. For I am nothing without Him.

    He brings aid and He wins the battle, crushing the enemy, restoring my soul.

    Human help is worthless.

    But God! He is the victor who comes to my aid.

  • Psalm 58

    Then people will say,
    “Yes, there is a reward for the righteous!
    There is a God who judges on earth.”

    The injustice and unrighteousness of people, especially leaders, is often easily seen. Some people seem born to act in such wickedness, to do violence, to love injustice, to ignore the call to right living, to holiness.

    They are deaf to any correction.

    And so, there will come a day when the righteous one will rejoice. Not because the evil, unrighteous, unjust ones are “getting their due.” That is what we want, hope for, laugh about.

    The righteous one, instead, rejoices in the triumph and glory of the One who truly reigns.

    God, the judge, has come.

    Rejoice in Him. Revel in His holy righteousness, and depend on His mercy.

    The Lord reigns – Have mercy on us, Lord!

    A bit more of the Psalm 61 illustration.

  • Psalm 54

    God is my helper;
    the LORD is the sustainer of my life.

    This is such a simple truth – it has become for me a core of my faith, a foundation for my peace and for my daily existence.

    God is my helper.

    He sustains my life.

    This is not hyperbole for me. So often, my life has been in jeopardy. For some reason, whatever He intends, thus far He has sustained my life.

    I don’t know why.

    Not because I deserve anything from Him. It is only by His mercy and grace.

    And the day shall come when my mortal life is done.

    No worries!

    He will sustain me in life eternal.

    I will serve Him.

    To God be the glory!

    The first steps of creating this image. . .