Happy are the people with
such blessings.
Happy are the people whose God is
the LORD.
As one of God’s – there are many blessings available to me:
Lord, be my Lord, our Lord, this way. Securing us today and tomorrow.
And we will be your happy people.
I cry to you, LORD;
I say, “You are my shelter,
my portion in the land of the living.”
This psalm begins with a cry for mercy.
It is indeed God’s mercy to me, to us, that He will be our shelter, is our shelter – our portion – in the land of the living.
Some wait for, hope for, look forward only to eternity. To dwell in God’s presence there forever.
But His mercy grants us His shelter for today, “in the land of the living.” Our portion, that which we enjoy in this life, the thing that sustains us on our way, it is Him! His shelter, today!
Shelter from the traps, the injuries, the violence, the fraud of the evil one who would seek to keep us defeated in this day.
Lord, by your mercy, be my portion – today!
I know that the LORD upholds
the just cause of the poor,
justice for the needy.
Surely the righteous will
praise your name;
The upright will live in your presence.
David’s Psalm here has mostly been a cry for protection from those intend him harm. In battle; with troops; he cries out to God for help, salvation.
Then come these verses. David’s sure words that God not only protects him, the chosen king, but God protects and upholds the cause of the poor, needy. God is on the side of the most vulnerable in society. He sees and saves those in need.
And those who join Him in protecting these poor ones – they are the righteous, the upright, who will live in God’s presence.
I had several different ideas for the illustration of Psalm 139 (see yesterday’s post.) This idea seemed like one I could make work, but after this sketch, it never seemed exactly right. But the idea remains – a contemplative individual, aware of God’s ongoing presence. I may try this one again sometime.
. . . but they have not prevailed
against me.
. . . The LORD is righteous . . .
He is the source of protection that I need.
Attacks may come, in fact they have been coming since I was young.
But they have not prevailed.
Sometimes it seems as though I’ve been run over by life.
But they have not prevailed.
Bound. Disgraced. Humiliated – all possible, but not forever.
They have not prevailed.
The Lord is righteous.
He has promised protection.
He has made provision.
He has had my back through it all.
Praise the Lord!
He prevails!
Unless the LORD builds a house,
its builders labor over it in vain;
unless the LORD watches over a city,
the watchman stays alert in vain.
Try hard as you like. Experiment with philosophies and trends of the culture. Use gentle parenting or tough love. Reason or punishment.
None of it matters for a home that is built for what we intend. Security, love, strength, safety, nurture. All our attempts are in vain.
Unless we build our home with the Lord.
His Word.
His values.
His care.
He is Lord of the castle, not me.
And do we long for a safe, secure place to live and raise our families?
Only in an environment where the Lord is our watchman.
Be my Lord.
Build us, secure us, save us.
Your are our hope and stay!
. . . the LORD surrounds his people,
both now and forever.
Security with the Lord, yesterday in Psalm 124, “If the Lord had not been on our side . . . ” and this morning in Romans 8: “If the Lord is for us, who can be against us?” And this Psalm, “the Lord surrounds His people.”
God wants me to rest secure in Him. It is all through His Word.
Having placed my faith in Jesus, submitting myself to Him, for He is my Lord, I discover that He keeps me! Surrounds me! Protects me! Fights for me! Cares for every need I have.
In my journey (for this is a Psalm of ascent) there are often times when my behavior or circumstances may cause me to believe I’ve slipped through His fingers.
BUT: I must not fear. He surrounds me. Loves me. Cares for me. Keeps me.
Now and in all eternity.
Praise God, Keeper of my life!
(A small portion of the image coming later this week for Psalm 130.)
If the LORD had not been
on our side – . . .
Our help is in the name of the LORD,
The Maker of heaven and earth.
Lord, again, I don’t know why:
But I do trust that you are on our side.
The people of God, those who trust you through the grace of Jesus Christ, who have known you by the mercy of your love for us.
You are on our side to save us, defend us, provide for us.
Lord, My Help is in the name of the Lord. Lord Jesus Christ, maker of heaven and earth: I praise you, trust in you, follow you!
You are my Lord!
I rejoiced with those who said to me,
“Let’s go to the house of the LORD.”
The temple of God – once the heartbeat of Jerusalem was destroyed. The very presence of God, gone because of the sin of the people of God.
The Lord now sends His Spirit to live in us, those who submit to Him, trust in Him, believe and confess.
And when the people of God gather, there is real joy, for the presence of God with all the people is known through the fellowship of the Holy Spirit.
So, still, there is reason to rejoice, as we go “to the house of the Lord.” He is in the midst of His people at work to extend the joy of salvation, peace with God, the Father, and the celebration of the people of God.
I was glad!
I lift my eyes toward the mountains.
Where will my help come from?
My help comes from the LORD.
The maker of heaven and earth.
A song of ascent – a Psalm for the journey. Indeed, I’m on the journey of life.
Today, I lift my eyes toward all that is around me. Am I surrounded by enemies or danger that will swarm over me from the mountains around me?
I find comfort, instead, in these mountains.
The Lord, creator of heaven and earth, sustainer of life, giver of joy, redeemer and guide and friend.
He is my constant companion on this journey.
Danger? Maybe – but He’s here to protect.
Struggle? Surely – but He is my strength and my hope.
Where is my help?
Right here!
The Lord is my help.
Abundant peace belongs to those
who love your instruction;
nothing makes them stumble.
Here is part of the secret that unlocks the power of Romans 6:19 (just having read that verse: just as you offered the parts of yourselves as slaves to impurity, and to greater and greater lawlessness, so now offer them as slaves to righteousness, which results in sanctification.)
There is peace, spiritual peace, that results from developing the habitual, disciplined practice of dwelling in God’s instruction – His Word. A peace that brings stability and security. “Nothing makes them stumble. . . ”
That peace comes as I love the Word, replacing my love for sin with the love for spending time in the Word, in prayer, in worship, in God-honoring activity. In doing so I put to death the habits of sin. I don’t leave room for them in my life.
In this way I discover the peace God offers in this saved life. I’m not saved by these actions, but I come to be at peace with God as I love Him and His Word.
Abundant life.
Lots of work to be done – but this is the beginning of an image for Psalm 121 – to come later in the week.
Numbering My Days 