“May those who wait for You not be ashamed through me, O Lord God of hosts; may those who seek You not be dishonored through me, O God of Israel, because for Your sake I have borne reproach; dishonor has covered my face.”  (Psalm 69:6-7)

We are called as people of faith to be honorable for the sake of others who have faith. Yes, we are saved by grace through faith; but there is the obligation to cooperate with the Holy Spirit’s work that we may become like Christ in all things. For the sake of the Lord we are to be people above reproach and an example as the Spirit leads us to godly living. You are called into the presence of the Lord always.

Lord, You know the struggles I have when it comes to behavior, especially the inner thoughts and attitudes. Guide me by the power of the Holy Spirit to live according to Your Word always and uphold those things which are right and fitting at all times and in all places that I may indeed be an example of godly living for Your sake and for the sake of others. Help me in every time of need.

Lord Jesus, You have demonstrated that it is possible to live according to the law without sinning. Only by Your grace can anything be accomplished; and You know I need that grace. Help me by Your grace to seek the higher way of living that I may be guided by You to become like You in my daily living. Lead me, O Lord, to become an example for others in godliness. Amen.

“Those who hate me without a cause are more than the hairs of my head; those who would destroy me are powerful, being wrongfully my enemies; what I did not steal, I then have to restore. O God, it is You who knows my folly, and my wrongs are not hidden from You.” (Psalm 69:4-5)

Isn’t it amazing how many people find reasons to hate? This is the bane of sin in our world, looking for reasons to hate. And then they mask it to make their hatred seem reasonable. God is love and those who are in the Lord learn to love. This is a clear marker to see whether one is in the Lord, but do so for your own sake and not as a judgement of the other. Do not hate, but love.

Lord, I have the infection of hatred which is loose in the world. Keep me from the folly of this world which has an excuse for everything. Guide me in Your never-changing principles so that I hold fast to the truth that You are love and You command me to love my neighbors as myself. Bring me over the hurdles that get in the way of fulfilling Your commandments that I would love as You love.

Lord Jesus, in love You came to lead all who believe to become like You. Move me away from my notions of what love is to see in You the hope of every generation. Guide me as Your disciple to learn and grow as You would have me learn and grow. Help me now and always to hold fast to Your teachings and not overreact to this world of sinners bent on hating and not loving. Amen.

“Save me, O God, for the waters have threatened my life. I have sunk in deep mire, and there is no foothold; I have come into deep waters, and a flood overflows me. I am weary with my crying; my throat is parched; my eyes fail while I wait for my God.” (Psalm 69:1-3)

The world can be a messy place. All around are temptations, pitfalls and things that trap us into sin. We need what only the Lord can provide. Yes, there is lament and the Lord has purpose in all things, but sometimes our cries seem unheard. They are not; they just seem to be that way. In all seasons and situations, turn to the Lord and know that He hears every cry. The Lord will provide.

Lord in parched seasons of life I turn into myself and do not feel Your presence. Guide me through every season that regardless my situation I would know that You are there and Your hand is guiding me. Lead me, O Lord, away from those things which bring me down, and lift me up according to Your purpose that I would forever hold fast to Your goodness and mercy.

Lord Jesus, You know what it is like to walk this world filled with its woes. Help me stay afloat in those seasons when troubles overflow so that I can see You. Teach me, if You will, to stay out of the mires of this world and keep my eyes on the prize of salvation which You have won for all who believe. Lead me this day, O Lord, no matter what comes, that I would hold fast to You. Amen.

“To Him who rides upon the highest heavens, which are from ancient times; behold, He speaks forth with His voice, a mighty voice. Ascribe strength to God; His majesty is over Israel And His strength is in the skies. O God, You are awesome from Your sanctuary. The God of Israel Himself gives strength and power to the people.  Blessed be God!” (Psalm 68:33-35)

From before what we know as time God was. He who has always been holds all strength and power. All history is before His eyes and He sees all things. Power and majesty are His. Do not think lightly nor trivially of the Lord. Know that the One in whom all things have their being watches and sees all that goes on in the earth. They are all His and He is to be forever blessed by His creation.

Lord I often do not give you a first thought let alone a second thought. Help me open my eyes and see the reality You have placed me in. Guide my heart to see spiritually and clearly that You alone are the Sovereign of the ages. Lead me to see in You the hope of every generation. You are the past, the future and everything in between. Guide me into truth that I would walk in the way of truth now and forever.

Lord Jesus, the truth made flesh, let me both hear and see Your life in mine. You have revealed the glory of the Father that those who believe may walk in light. Guide my footsteps to walk humbly in Your sight, knowing that only in You is the hope of glory now and forever. Lead me deeper in the way of life that You have established that I may now and always be kept wholly in You. Amen.

“Envoys will come out of Egypt; Ethiopia will quickly stretch out her hands to God.  Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth, sing praises to the Lord,” (Psalm 68:31-32)

Around the world and throughout history, there are in those nations many whose hearts have been turned to the Lord. Even in our time, thousands of years later, though decimated, Ethiopia raises her hands to You, O Lord. Let me learn this lesson and know that You are the One God throughout the ages, for all ages are but a moment in Your eyes. Let me sing my praises to You now and always.

Lord, help me to see the consistency throughout history of those nations which have come to You. Yes, I know nations are people, with an identity which can be seen and understood. Let me understand these things so that I may trust and know that Your Word abides forever. Help me trust when I am untrusting and believe when unbelieving.

Lord of all, You have created the path for the faithful to walk, praise, sing and have their being. Guide me along this path for Your name’s sake that I would now and always hold fast to the truth You have revealed. Lead me to learn faithfulness and become as You are according to Your Word. May I now and always be faithful in humility and bold in grace as You lead. Amen.

“Because of Your temple at Jerusalem kings will bring gifts to You. Rebuke the beasts in the reeds, the herd of bulls with the calves of the peoples, trampling under foot the pieces of silver; He has scattered the peoples who delight in war.”  (Psalm 68:29-30)

The true temple is God Himself who makes Himself  known through the Incarnation. The proper reverence and awe is for the One who was, who is and who is to come. Through Him all things have their being. What can a king give that was not first the Lord’s? The war against the Lord will one day end and all will be shown as He has intended from the beginning. Come and worship the Lord.

Lord these principles are easy to read, see and understand but hard to do. I seem to have many things that get in the way of my simply praising You as all shall do in eternity. Teach me to praise and worship, not as the world teaches, but as You teach it.  Guide my life to live in such a way that my heart is always looking to You, the temple of the city of peace, that I may be led by Your goodness.

Lord Jesus, God made flesh, the walking temple, lead me into the holiness You give by grace that I would not become what I imagine, but like You. Lead me deeper into the mysteries of faith that You have revealed and help me be guided always by the Holy Spirit to do what is right and fitting, now and forever. You have come to lead the way, so lead me this day and every day in righteousness. Amen.

“There is Benjamin, the youngest, ruling them, the princes of Judah in their throng, the princes of Zebulun, the princes of Naphtali. Your God has commanded your strength; show Yourself strong, O God, who have acted on our behalf.” (Psalm 68:27-28)

Strong men arise and for a time it seems their strength is preeminent but they too will pass away. History is filled with those who rose and then fell. The hopes of man are for a generation.  The hope of the Lord is forever. He who has all strength, power and authority is slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. Come to the One who gives true strength, and trust in His leading.

Lord I see the strong men of this age and fear them, yet they are nothing to You. You who are able to destroy body and soul is above all. Let me not walk in fear but in the confidence that faith provides knowing that all things are now and always will be in Your hands. Thank You Lord for being patient and slow to anger with each generation that we may have the opportunity to learn to love and praise You.

Lord Jesus, You have come to lead the way for as many as would follow You in the upward journey of hope into eternity. Lead me this day, regardless of the world’s condition,to see in You the hope You give. Guide me to be faithful and diligent in all things that I may abide in the glory of the Father now and forever. Help me learn from You how to meet each day as it comes.  Amen.

“The singers went on, the musicians after them, in the midst of the maidens beating tambourines.  Bless God in the congregations, even the Lord, you who are of the fountain of Israel.”  (Psalm 68:25-26)

In every generation there are those who praise the Lord.  Though we may not look to see, all around the globe are those who are constantly giving thanks and praise to the One who created all things.  For the sake of the saints the Lord continues to bless all.  Give thanks to the Lord for His goodness in season and out of season knowing that He is the One who sustains all things.

Lord, I have good times and times that are adverse.  Guide me to praise You in all circumstances, knowing that in You alone is there hope and the glory of a future for all who praise You.  Lead my heart away from my own circumstances to see that You are blessing people around the world constantly as Your purposes are fulfilled.  Help me now and always to look to You for all things.

Lord Jesus, You have come not only to provide the way by which we may forever be in the Father’s presence, but also to learn how to give thanks, pray and, through You, have our being.  Lead me this day to praise and thank You in every circumstance, knowing that in You is the hope for every generation.  Thank You, Lord Jesus, for what You have done for me and the grace You have given.  Amen.

‘That your foot may shatter them in blood, the tongue of your dogs may have its portion from your enemies. “They have seen Your procession, O God, the procession of my God, my King, into the sanctuary.” (Psalm 68:23-24)

Though in this age they do not acknowledge the Lord, His hand in history is evident. He raises up the lowly and brings down the haughty. Nations come and go, but the Lord is always present. See that the procession of the Lord is always present. You are invited to join in the way of the Lord and see that His hand is upon all things. All shall come about as He has purposed.

Lord, I do doubt and wonder with the tides of history. I forget to step back and see that it is true that once mighty nations are nothing and once nothing nations are mighty. Bring my eyes to see more clearly that You are indeed Sovereign of the ages and that all things not only are in Your hands, but will work out exactly in that way You have purposed that they should work out.

Lord Jesus, You knew every step of the way what was coming as You headed to the cross. Help me see Your intentional hand this day in my life that I would know in my spirit that it is Your purpose that shall lead my day. Guide me now and always in the grace You have abundantly provided and help me hold fast to the promises You give. May I learn from You to be faithful.  Amen.

“Surely God will shatter the head of His enemies, the hairy crown of him who goes on in his guilty deeds.  The Lord said, “I will bring them back from Bashan.  I will bring them back from the depths of the sea;” (Psalm 68:21-22)

Throughout the ages, there have been times of captivity. The Lord allows, for His purposes, things to happen that do not make sense to us. The Lord, in time, will bring back those who are His that they may know He is God. There is no place anyone can go where the Lord does not see and whose hand is not present. No matter the circumstance, know that the Lord is Sovereign.

Heavenly Father, You are there, my mind knows this, but sometimes I do not feel Your presence or remember Your promises. Guide me away from these thoughts and into reality that even if I am in a time of difficulty, I never feel abandoned by You. Though the world leave me behind, You are always there. Help me see in You alone the goodness, hope and eternity You promise.

Thank You, Jesus, for walking in the wilderness alone for forty days to break the bonds of captivity. Thank You for hanging on the cross to break the bonds of death. You know adversity and have paid the price that we might know, now and forever, that You are with us and for us. Lead me, Lord, ever deeper into the mystery of faith that I may always abide in You.  Amen.