“It sent out its branches to the sea, its shoots to the River. Why have you broken down its walls, so that all those who pass by the way pluck it?” (Psalm 80:11-12)

Why does the Lord allow things we consider adverse to happen? Why doesn’t the Lord just make everything perfect? He did in the beginning, but our first parents chose the way of sin and death and it has reigned in this age ever since. It is no use arguing over what is. It is of use to hear the Word of the Lord and of the salvation He grants to all who come to Him.

Lord, move me beyond what I think is a need to figure all things out. Life is filled with mystery because life itself is a mystery. Guide me, O Lord, to come humbly into Your presence and simply trust that You are God. Guide me in Your ways, knowing that only in You is there hope and a future. Lead me away from my own thinking to see things as You have revealed them to be.

Lord Jesus, You taught publically and everyone who listened could hear what You said. Your words have rung true over the ages and You have given the words of eternal life. Lead me through all the difficulties of this age to see simply that You call us all to simply follow where You lead; for You Who are the author and finisher of our faith will bring all things into submission and lay them before the Father’s feet. Amen.

“You cleared the ground for it. It took deep root, and filled the land. The mountains were covered with its shadow. Its boughs were like God’s cedars.” (Psalm 80:9- 10)

The Lord prepares the way for all people. There are those who question, “Why did God allow this?” But that does not mean that all things are not in His hands. His ways are not our ways and He has given the promise that all things work together for good for those who love Him. Come under the covering of the Lord and be in His presence and know that He watches over you.

Lord, I see the times and seasons and when things are good, I am pleased. When they are not, I become upset. Help me move to the place where in season and out of season I see Your hand of mercy upon all things. Guide my eyes to see and my ears to hear the truth of Your Word and to know that I have always been in Your hands. Lead me into faith where I trust You above all things.

Lord Jesus, Your very life demonstrated twists and turns not unlike the lives we all live on this earth. At the end You were crucified and that was Your plan all along. In the great mystery of this unfolding age, guide me away from wanting all the answers to trust in the answers You have given. Lead me to see more clearly the truth that You are there and will always be there for those who come to You. Amen.

“Turn us again, God of Armies. Cause your face to shine, and we will be saved. You brought a vine out of Egypt. You drove out the nations, and planted it.” (Psalm 80:7-8)

The Lord is Lord of all. Those who turn away from Him do not see His might nor power. It is there; they just do not see it. He will rescue all who turn to Him from sin, death and the devil. In whom then will you believe? Will it be the nations, or the One who is over all the nations? He who created the universe knows all things and knows His by name. Come to Him and live.

Lord God, I do become distracted in life and live it the way I want rather than living it with You. I need rescuing and You have come to rescue. Guide me, Lord, away from faulty thinking and into the light of Your countenance. Help me to see that in You alone is hope, for You are the One who is above all. Cause Your face to shine upon me now and always in the grace You give.

Lord Jesus, You are the grace, for in You alone and by Your work alone can we hope. You have come into the world to shatter the power of the nations and uplift as many as would receive You into the eternal presence of the Father. Guide me now and always in the way I should go. Lift me up when I see darkness that I may once again stand in the light of Your presence. Amen.

“You have fed them with the bread of tears, and given them tears to drink in large measure. You make us a source of contention to our neighbors. Our enemies laugh among themselves.” (Psalm 80:5-6)

The world laughs at those who listen to the Word of the Lord, thinking those who follow Him are following after wives’ tales. Not subject to debate, for such things feed into the derision, but believers simply say that the ways of the Lord are evident to those to whom He has given faith. Let them laugh and weep, for their foolishness is evident just as the truth of the Lord is evident. God is good and looks after us all.

Lord, help me see through the foolishness of every generation which denies you. Guide me in the way of truth that You have revealed for all people. Lead me in Your ways that I may forever hold fast to Your goodness and mercy. You alone are the One who holds all things together and in You alone is life. Lift me up from amidst the contentious ones that I may remain faithful.

Thank You, Lord Jesus, for being an example. You also met the derision of those who hated You. You went to the cross on behalf of us all in the midst of our unbelief that we might have the opportunity to live in the truth of Your eternal love. Lead me this day to hold fast and stand true in the goodness You have given that I may now and always simply stand fast and hold true. Amen.

“Turn us again, God. Cause your face to shine, and we will be saved. Yahweh God of Armies, how long will you be angry against the prayer of your people?” (Psalm 80:3-4)

The Lord is merciful. Has He not said over and over again to turn to Him? Come to the Lord and live in His blessing and know His goodness. He who created all things, created us to be in union with Him. When we wander it is not He who is far off, but we who are wandering. His anger is against those who will not come to the One who created them and knows them better than they know themselves.

Lord, turn my heart to see humbly and truly that I was created to be in relationship with You. Guide me according to Your goodness to know that only in You will I find peace and rest. Lead me always through this simple way of understanding that I am Yours, for You created me. Guide me into the purpose for which You created me that I may rest always in You in peace and harmony with Your ways.

Lord Jesus, You have come to lead the way for all who come by Your grace in forgiveness into the peace that surpasses all understanding. Now and always, may I rest in You as You abide in me knowing that You alone are able to lead me where I need to go. Guide me this day in the way of truth that I would be one who does what is pleasing to the Father and fulfills His will in my life. Amen.

“Hear us, Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock, you who sit above the cherubim, shine out. Before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh, stir up your might! Come to save us!” (Psalm 80:1-2)

It is said there are no atheists in the fox hole. When things are beyond our ability to control, out of hand and we fear, then we finally begin to comprehend that we are in another’s hands. See through this and at all times, turn to the One in whose hands you are. Know that only the One who created you is able to save not only you but all people from the adversity of death.

Lord, You know the times when I have gone on in life as if I were in control. I have learned and know that all things are not in my control. Let Your might be ever before me that I would trust You above all things knowing that in You is hope and an eternal future. Lead me away from the ways of doing as I please into the way of everlasting life that You have put before me.

Lord Jesus, You have all authority and power and You came to us humbly with the purpose of joining us with You to prepare us for being with You in Trinity forever. Guide me, O Lord, to walk in the way You have established knowing that no matter what comes I am always in Your hands. Guide me in the way of truth knowing that nothing will come my way that does not serve the Father’s purpose. Amen. 

“And He built His sanctuary like the heights, like the earth which He has founded forever. He also chose David His servant and took him from the sheepfolds; from the care of the ewes with suckling lambs He brought him to shepherd Jacob His people, and Israel His inheritance. So he shepherded them according to the integrity of his heart, and guided them with his skillful hands.” (Psalm 78:69-72)

The Lord chose to reveal His plan for the ages in the way He did. Others have mocked the Lord and sought to pervert the truth of His revelation, but His Word will stand forever. You may go where you will, but where is truth to be found? Is it not the One who created all things and in whom all things hold their being? Come then to the One who is more than able to do all He has promised.

Lord, I do listen to those who mock You and hear all kinds of things. They rattle in my brain and I become confused. Guide my mind and heart to see clearly that You, who are the maker of all things, hold in Your hands all that is true. Lead me away from the rebellion of the heart to simply and humbly come to You and know that I, along with all of creation, am in Your eternal hands.

Lord Jesus, You have come both to demonstrate the godly life, but also to lead the way for as many as would follow You. Lead me, O Lord, today in the truth You have revealed once for all. Help me now and always to see in You the hope of glory and the truth of the great love You have for all people. May I willingly follow wherever You lead, knowing that all things are in Your hands. Amen.

“He drove His adversaries backward; he put on them an everlasting reproach. He also rejected the tent of Joseph, and did not choose the tribe of Ephraim, but chose the tribe of Judah, Mount Zion which He loved.” (Psalm 78:66-68)

The Lord chooses whom He chooses. It is the Lord who calls us, for without His call, we wander in the desert of life. He knows those who are His and what needs to happen in order for His will to be accomplished. We think we know all we need to know and go about our business, but only the Lord knows where it will all lead. Heed His call that you may be chosen, for He wants none to perish.

Lord, I arrogantly walk the way I walk and do as I do without thinking that I do not know as You know. You do what You do and this world cries unfair. Unfair is that You died for us. Unfair is that Christ was murdered. It is not about fairness, but what You will accomplish in this creation of Yours. Help me to humbly submit to You knowing that You alone are the One who gives life.

Lord Jesus, I need what You alone are able to give. Guide me, O Lord, in the way You would have me go and then help me to walk humbly alongside You now and always. Lead me along Your paths of righteousness, for there are no others that avail, knowing that You have called me to walk with You and learn from You. Thank You for doing what You have for all who believe. Amen.

“His priests fell by the sword, and His widows could not weep. Then the Lord awoke as if from sleep, like a warrior overcome by wine.” (Psalm 78:64-65)

What does it take to rouse the Lord? He sees all, so He knows. There is a time when the people look to Him and then they realize He is there. Why do we test and try the Lord? Why do we not humbly come to Him that we may know that it is He who made the heavens and the earth? The Lord is Sovereign and He seeks those who will humbly come and know that He is the One who saves.

Lord, awaken me to see clearly that You have always been there and all things are in Your view. Awaken my heart to seek those things which are pleasing to You that I may abide in Your presence forever. Lead me away from the deadness of this world that I may know the goodness of Your Sovereignty. Lead me, O Lord, into Your ways forever that I may abide in You now and always.

Lord Jesus, You have taught us that You are the way of everlasting life. You have called for us to follow You and go where You lead. Grant me a new heart that would follow in the life You give, going the way You lead in the truth You have revealed. Lead me, O Lord, into the life for which You died that I may abide in You as You abide in me. Guide me now and always, Lord Jesus. Amen.

“He also delivered His people to the sword, and was filled with wrath at His inheritance. Fire devoured His young men, and His virgins had no wedding songs.” (Psalm 78:62-63).

The people rebel and the Lord withholds His hand of mercy and those who have wanted wickedness receive it. Why is it the Lord is blamed when He does not do what others want? It is not that He causes the wickedness, but that rebellious hearts are drawn toward the wickedness of this age. Come out from the way of the world to see that only in the Lord is there true peace and mercy.

Lord, there are times when I receive what was caused by others. There are times when I have been exempt from others’ wickedness. Guide me, O Lord, in the way You would have me go that no matter what comes, I would see Your hand of grace and mercy upon my life. In all things, may I look humbly and simply to You as the source of all goodness and kindness knowing that these things are not in the world except by Your hand.

Lord Jesus, You are the incarnation of grace and mercy. Lift me up in Your grace that I would now and always live in the truth You have revealed. Help me see the truth of Your grace and live it fully in every moment of my days. Guide me to hold fast to the truth You have delivered once for all that in You alone is the hope of all ages. We need to be saved from ourselves, Jesus. Amen.