August 2-8 2010
Moments in the Psalms
MONDAY, AUGUST 2
Psalm 27:14 Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.
TO WAIT
It’s one of the most difficult things we do. We do it at the dentist’s office. We do it in the grocery checkout line. We do it in rush hour traffic.
Waiting is hard not only because it tries our patience. It’s also because we are a society of doers, of multi-taskers; and waiting seems like such a waste of valuable time.
Then along comes David in Psalm 27 who says, “Wait for the LORD.” The very thought of it can try our patience. The very thought of it can seem like a waste of valuable time.
But from the LORD’s point of view, our waiting for him is one of the most beautiful expressions of faith there is. Waiting for the LORD is not something passive and lethargic. It is trust put into action. It is demonstrating an eager expectation that the LORD will fulfill his promises at just the right time.
There’s no better way to praise our Savior from sin.
Prayer: Holy God, at those times in my life when I need to wait for you to fulfill your promises, empower me by your Spirit to do just that. Amen.
TUESDAY, AUGUST 3
Psalm 28:1 To you I call, O LORD my Rock; do not turn a deaf ear to me. For if you remain silent, I will be like those who have gone down to the pit.
IF GOD WERE SILENT
What if you suddenly received nothing but silence from God? What if all of his promises, all of his warnings of love, all of his guidance, all of his comfort suddenly ceased to exist?
Understand: This would be very different from the self-imposed silence that you and I often create between ourselves and God – the times when you and I neglect worship, the times our hearing wanders during worship, the times we leave Bibles unopened at home. Imagine God refusing to speak to us ever again. Ever.
David imagined such a silence in Psalm 28. He said that if that were to happen, he would “be like those who have gone down to the pit.” In other words, David could imagine nothing worse.
But God has not done that. Instead, he speaks. He proclaims. He warns. He guides. He invites.
Let’s listen.
Prayer: Lord, you come to us in your Word every day. You proclaim repentance. You proclaim forgiveness in Jesus. You proclaim comfort and strength. Move me to listen. Amen.
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 4
Psalm 29:10 The LORD is enthroned as King forever.
IN COMMAND
In his younger days, Winston Churchill had been appointed as head of the British Navy. The Navy had loved him. Even after Churchill was no longer in power, the Navy never forgot him.
Many years later, when World War II broke out between England and Germany, the British government once again appointed Churchill as head of the British Navy. That day, British ships began to radio a three-word message throughout the entire fleet. The message simply said, “WINSTON IS BACK.” With Churchill in command, the morale of the British Navy soared.
At this moment in your life there may be all kinds of uncertainties and challenges. Perhaps it’s your job. Perhaps it’s your finances. Perhaps it’s your health. Perhaps it’s your relationship with others. Perhaps it’s your family.
But remember who’s in command. It’s the same One who died to wash you clean. It’s the same One who lives to fulfill his every promise.
Prayer: Lord, in this world of trouble and confusion, you are still in command. Rest me in your promises. For in you all is well. Amen.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 5
Psalm 30:5 Weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.
THE TEARS WILL DRY
If you have never experienced it, you will: A moment when your world is so sad that it seems impossible for you to imagine a time when the sadness will lift.
David had experienced horrific sadness in his life. He had tasted the hot, salty tears of grief. In David’s youth, his best friend had died. When David was a father, a son had turned against him and family members had turned against each other. He had to attend the burials of several of his own children. He had failed as a husband.
And so when David wrote about tears of grief, he knew what he was talking about.
This is what he said: “Weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.”
In other words, the tears of grief will dry. The tears of sadness are temporary. The day will come when rejoicing will take their place. Even if our remaining years on this earth hold many sad tears, those tears will dry the moment we enter eternal life.
Then we will cry tears of joy.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, in those moments when all l can taste are tears of grief, remind me of your forgiveness of my sin. Remind me of your promises. Remind me that my tears of sadness will one day surrender to tears of joy. Amen.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 6
Psalm 31:14-15 I trust in you, O LORD; I say, “You are my God.” My times are in your hands.
You are standing in the middle of our school’s gymnasium. You look at the walls. On those walls are large, monthly calendars going back to the day you were born. The calendars also stretch for a number of years into the future, then stop.
There is your life. Right there. From beginning to end.
A lot of months, you think. Many, many days. At the same time it’s startling to see how short it really is.
Just beyond the last month there’s a painting. It’s you standing in that very gymnasium, looking at those very calendars on the walls. Next to you stands your Savior. One hand is on your shoulder. The other is pointing at your life.
He simply says, “In my hands.”
Prayer: Dearest Jesus, my times are in your hands. I have nothing to fear. Forgive me. Guide me. Carry me. Use me. See me home. Amen.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 7
Psalm 32:1 Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.
MY WAY VS GOD’S WAY
There are two ways I can cover my sins.
One way is my way. I can cover my sins with my excuses (“I was tired,” “I didn’t have time,” “he had it coming,” “she’s done a lot worse to me”). I can cover my sins with my rationalizations (“I did the best I could,” “I didn’t mean any harm”). I can cover my sins with my reasons for why I deserve a pass (“God knows how hard I work,” “People don’t appreciate how much I do,” “People don’t understand what my life is like,”).
The problem with my way is that it only hides my sins from my eyes for a little while. God still sees them. And the sins never go away.
Then there’s the other way. God’s way. The blood of his Son.
When the blood covers my sins, they are not only covered. They’re gone. Washed away.
No more games. Repent. Be washed in the blood. It’s the only way.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, by your Spirit give me a repentant heart. Empower me to confess to you. Cover me in the blood of your Son. Amen.
SUNDAY, AUGUST 8
Psalm 33:7 He gathers the waters of the sea into jars; he puts the deep into storehouses.
JARS
When one of our children had the opportunity to visit the ocean, he took a canning jar and scooped up some seawater as a souvenir.
It took only a moment. It was literally child’s play.
Psalm 33 tells us that our Lord’s power is so profound he can gather the very oceans into jars. So complete, so absolute is his command over creation.
This is the same Lord who promises to take care of you and me. This is the same Lord who died and rose to make us his own.
Prayer: Lord, at those times when I feel fearful, fill me with your promises. Remind me of your power. And remind me that you have promised to devote your power for my good. Amen.
