Numbering My Days

Tag: security

  • Psalm 119:161-168

    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.

  • Psalm 119:145-152

    I am awake through each watch
    of the night
    to meditate on your promise.

    I have spent plenty of sleepless nights. Increasingly more of them as I grow older. This verse teaches me how to use these sleepless nights.

    As I lie awake, or roam the rooms of my house in the utter darkness, I can dwell on anxiety or I can meditate on the Word of God.

    I’ve learned (this is a grace from God) that when I dwell on anxiety, sleep does not come.

    But if I meditate on the Word of God, trusting in His Word, remembering His goodness, His grace – well then anxiety flees and the promise of life replaces it.

    I may or may not sleep – but I am at rest in the peace of God.

  • Psalm 119:129-136

    The revelation of your words
    brings light
    and gives understanding
    to the inexperienced.

    Here is the pure blessing of the Word of God.

    Light – the gift of seeing all that is pure, holy, right, just – the enlightenment of God that His way may be followed with confidence and security.

    Understanding – the wisdom of God made available to “the inexperienced,” – the young, foolish, sinful, but now, enlightened soul who loves God, desires His Word, and strives to live in its light. Pure joy and wisdom, available in the word and presence of God almighty.

    In this wisdom, we – I – am reminded that sin may entrap, ensnare, and dominate me. Lord, redeem me. Set me on your path. Teach me that I may live in your light, gaining understanding through your precious Word.

  • Psalm 119:113-120

    You are my shelter and my shield;
    I put my hope in your word.

    God’s provision of security is one of the most comforting blessings I enjoy.

    The psalmist praises and thanks God for the shelter He is.

    A structure that provides secure, comfortable, permanent rest. A place to recharge, relax, enjoy the goodness of God.

    He is also a shield.

    A portable defensive covering that protects during the battle with the enemy.

    I move out in my day and encounter the arrows of the evil one. God protects me, absorbs and deflects the arrows, dangers, as a shield. An effective, available cover during the onslaught of the day.

    Lord, thank you for secure rest – my shelter.

    Thank you for instant protection – my shield.

    This was the sketch that I started with for this week’s illustration of the lamp.

  • Psalm 119:97-104

    How sweet your word is to my taste –
    sweeter than honey in the mouth.
    I gain understanding
    from your precepts;
    therefore, I hate every false way.

    David makes some extraordinary claims:

    • that he is wiser than all his enemies;
    • more insightful than all his teachers;
    • understands more than the elders;
    • he has kept his feet from every evil path.

    I don’t know about all that!

    I’m certainly not wiser, more insightful than others. But this I do know, and agree with the Psalmist:

    The Word of God –

    His precepts –

    are the source of all wisdom, understanding, joy, and pleasure.

    Sweeter than honey! Yes, indeed.

    As I taste the Word I find it is the sweetest fare of all.

    Praise God!

  • Psalm 119:81-88

    I long for your salvation;
    I put my hope in your word.

    Lord, your salvation is the desire of my heart.

    It is:

    • Eternal security
    • Meaningful life now
    • Abundant life, filled with your joy, Your goodness
    • Provision for today and hope for tomorrow
    • Relationship with you, Creator, Sustainer of life
    • Rescue from the sin that besets me – pulls me under

    In your Word I find hope for the salvation you offer and provide.

    In your Word there is

    • forgiveness
    • peace
    • joy
    • a sure foundation for the life I long for

    Lord, save me, by the power of the Gospel through Jesus Christ my Lord.

  • Psalm 119:41-48

    Let your faithful love come to me, LORD,
    Your salvation as you promised.
    Then I can answer the one
    who taunts me,
    for I trust in your word.

    I think it is not unusual to face taunts from people who ridicule people of faith simply because of their faith in God. I’m not sure why that brings them pleasure – surely it is born out of the out of the hatred of the deceiver who has led them in to the darkness of doubt, despair, anger, hatred, faithlessness.

    So, Lord, remind me of your faithful love. Your kindness and mercy has always been my source of joy and security. My answer to those who taunt because of my faith – I trust in you.

    Where else would I turn?

    You are my faithful, loving, merciful Lord.

  • Psalm 108

    My heart is confident, God;
    I will sing; I will sing praises
    with the whole of my being . . .
    For your faithful love is higher
    than the heavens,
    And your faithfulness reaches to the
    clouds

    David’s confidence was not in his own strength, or in the capacity of his mighty army. For he knew that “human help is worthless” and his only hope was in trusting God to “perform valiantly” on the behalf of Israel.

    Lord, grant me the confidence of David.

    I trust in you and have always been the recipient of your faithful love. I have known you to be faithful all my life.

    So, Lord, I look to you in this day. Whatever I face, I face it in your presence, counting on your strong arm to work for me – to work to accomplish your purpose, and fulfill your plan.

    To your glory.

    Praise the Lord, almighty!

    I decided to try an entirely different setting for the dawn. I ended up liking this, of all the dawn illustrations, for this Psalm. A glorious day in the snowy hills.

  • 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 103

    My soul, bless the LORD,
    and do not forget all his benefits.

    Forgiveness. Healing. Redemption.
    Faithful love. Compassion. Satisfaction.
    Renewed strength. Righteousness. Justice.
    Revelation. Deeds on our behalf. Compassion.
    Grace. Patience. Abounding in love.
    Forgiveness. Mercy. Infinite love.
    He knows us.
    His faithful love is toward us.
    His righteous kingdom for us.

    Bless the Lord!

    Lord, you are wonderfully, amazingly, great, compassionate, faithful – you love me – even in my sin and failure.

    Bless you, Lord.

    You rule. You reign.

    Forever may your kingdom spread to encompass all your creation.

    Lord, fulfill your purpose and according to your will, use us as you see fit.

    Bless the Lord!