“Let the peoples praise You, O God; let all the peoples praise You.  Let the nations be glad and sing for joy; for You will judge the peoples with uprightness and guide the nations on the earth.”  (Psalm 67:3-4)

Lord how much better would this world be if they just stopped fighting against the truth, seeking to replace it with their idea of the truth.  Alas, the world continues its battle and I along with them.  Bring me to the place where I praise you in spite of what those around me do.  You are the righteous judge and it shall be as You determine.  Guide me to live in that knowledge always.

Lord, You know the struggle in my heart.  I desire those things which are of no value and flee from Your statutes which are more precious than gold or silver.  Judge my heart that I may be freed of those things which hinder me, and lead me in Your ways now and always to be one who praises You in season and out of season.  Righteous judge, give me Your righteousness.

Righteousness Incarnate, Jesus my Savior, guide me in the way of truth that You have established that I may be guided in Your  way now and always.  Lead me forth from this moment to live in the truth that all things are known and that You are guiding me in the way I should go.  Help me see through the cloud of this age to become and be the person You have created me to be.  Amen.

“God be gracious to us and bless us, and cause His face to shine upon us.  That Your way may be known on the earth, Your salvation among all nations.”  (Psalm 67:1-2)

When you were baptized, the words of Jesus were spoken over you, “Let your light shine.”  You were created in the image of God.  What is the light that shines?  The Light that God desires to shine is the light of His countenance in you.  It’s you and He together as one: each your own person, but one in spirit.  We have been invited into Trinity, three and One.  Let others know by reflecting  your light into the world.

Lord, what you have said I know in my head but my spirit continues in the well-worn path of simply doing what it has always done.  I struggle to let Your light shine through me.  Remove the resistance in me that I may forever hold fast to the truth of Your Word in my heart and shine forth with Your presence in a world of darkness.  Let Your salvation show in me.

Jesus, You have come to set the captive free.  Guide me in the way of truth that I may be led by You and the way You have forever established.  In Your salvation and by Your grace, lead me to Your living truth through all I say and do.  Help me to be guided by Your Spirit to walk in the ways of light and shine forth the truth that You are in me and I in You.  Amen.

“If I regard wickedness in my heart, the Lord will not hear; but certainly God has heard; He has given heed to the voice of my prayer.  Blessed be God, who has not turned away my prayer nor His lovingkindness from me.”  (Psalm 66:18-20)

It is not that the Lord does not know all of the things that wander through our minds but that the Lord is intolerant of sin.  Yet, He perseveres in seeking after us that we may come into His presence with thanksgiving.  He must create in all of us a clean heart that we would come into His presence as we were made to be and not as we have become.  His lovingkindness is forever,

Lord I have harbored thoughts in my mind that need to be removed.  Guide me in Your ways that Your thoughts would be my thoughts as I learn in order that Your ways become my ways.  Guide me in the way of salvation which You have prepared that I would walk the journey You have planned.  Before me is Your goodness and lovingkindness; and my desire is to be Yours always.

Thank You, Lord, that You have not turned a blind eye to my plight.  Through the salvation You have prepared in the sacrifice of Christ, You have made possible my eternal reconciliation.  Guide me, Lord Jesus, in the way of the cross that I would forever hold fast to the truth You have revealed and the way that has been made straight.  You alone are able to lead me where I need to go.  Take me with You that where You are I will be also.  Amen.

“Come and hear, all who fear God, and I will tell of what He has done for my soul.  I cried to Him with my mouth, and He was extolled with my tongue.”  (Psalm 66:16-17)

In a world that is filled with noise and constant activity, the soul can be left behind.  The Lord will nurse the soul and refresh it to see clearly that yes, we are physical creatures but that we are also soul and it too needs nurturing.  Come to the Lord and be refreshed and renewed.  Know that in the Lord goodness and mercy are bounteous and the Lord delights in His little ones.

Lord, help me see the estate of my soul and come to You that I may be refreshed.  Lead me through all of the things that are going on in me that I may understand the need for Your sustenance and see that only You can lift me up.   Let me learn to extol Your name and know the truth of life which You grant to those who love you, for You alone are able to do these things in this age of turmoil.

Lord Jesus You have come to set the captive free that we may abide in You now and forever.  Guide me, mind, body and soul, to live into the life to which You call me that I may grow in the righteousness You have given me by grace.  Teach me to give You praise and thanksgiving for all the goodness You have shown me.  Teach me to be still and know that You are God.  Amen.

“Which my lips uttered and my mouth spoke when I was in distress.  I shall offer to You burnt offerings of fat beasts, with the smoke of rams; I shall make an offering of bulls with male goats.”  (Psalm 66:14-15)

Through all that comes, the Lord desires that we learn to be people who praise Him in spite of circumstances. Offer yourself to the Lord and go where He will send you.  Do not hold back and do not be conditional in your offerings.  The Lord will create in you a clean and new heart that will worship and praise Him in all circumstances.  Come as you are and bow to the Creator of all things.

Lord I am conditional in my life.  I react depending upon the circumstances. Guide me away from being conditional to simply living the life You have given me knowing that only in You is there hope and a future. Renew in me a heart that longs after You and the things You would have me do.  Lead me in Your ways always that I may become sanctified as You have called me to be.

Lord Jesus You have come to lead the way in righteousness.  Guide me through all of the obstacles that will come my way knowing that You will lead me to where I need to be.  In creating me to be like You help me see all of the obstacles that are to be overcome that I may understand more fully as I pass through this life in preparation for all that is to come.  Amen.

“You made men ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water, yet You brought us out into a place of abundance.  I shall come into Your house with burnt offerings; I shall pay You my vows,” (Psalm 66:12-13)

Things will happen in this life, things that we do not like or even at the time understand, but the Lord is still Sovereign.  To whom will you give your loyalty?  Will it be to yourself, another or the One who created all things.  Loyalty does not depend upon circumstances for the righteous but upon truth which the Lord of Creation IS.  Come to the Lord who is Sovereign over all.

Lord my loyalties do wander about and I am circumstantial in my alliances.  Guide me to be loyal to truth and to You who is truth.  Lead me into a life that recognizes the toils and troubles in this life but perseveres through all knowing that You are the One who is leading me.  Guide me in Your truth that I would forever hold fast to what You have revealed once for all through Your Word.

Lord Jesus, You know how difficult it is to navigate through this world filled with rebellion.  You have come to save me from myself and the other things that would get in the way of the simple truth that You alone are Lord and Savior.  Guide me, Lord Jesus, through each of the difficulties that will come my way knowing that in You I have hope and a future.  Amen.

“For You have tried us, O God; You have refined us as silver is refined.  You brought us into the net; You laid an oppressive burden upon our loins.”  (Psalm 66:8-9)

Have you ever thought of the purpose of all the difficulties you have experienced in life?  Not  tests, nor punishments, but they do serve a purpose in helping shape who you are.  All things work together for good and the Lord is purposeful with life.  Look to the Lord who is much smarter than we often even begin to think He is and know that the author of life looks out for you.

Lord, guide me to see a little more clearly that You are not some infantile imagining but the Sovereign of all things.  Help me know that nothing happens that You are not aware of and that You care for Your creation more than we can begin to imagine.  Help me now and always to simply look to You, and give thanks for Your goodness and guidance in all things.

Lord Jesus, God in the flesh, You allowed some of the worst things that could happen to anyone to happen to You.  Through them You accomplished what You desired for us all.  Through Your salvation, guide me to see more clearly the truth of the ages, knowing that of course all things are in Your hands and You have it all under control.  Lead me to be thankful for all that You do.  Amen.

“Bless our God, O peoples, and sound His praise abroad, who keeps us in life and does not allow our feet to slip.”  (Psalm 66:8-9)

The Lord watches over the nations and knows the times and seasons as they unfold.  He who keeps watch over you never slumbers nor sleeps.  He who put the stars upon their course knows each of us intimately.  He has called you to witness His majesty to the nations.  He gives life and keeps us alive.  He who watches over you will guide you all the days of your life.

Lord, in the turmoil of this world I see the ways in which men go to and fro and wind up going nowhere.  Lead me through the simple truth that this is Your world and that Your purposes shall prevail.  Guide me according to those principles to walk humbly with You now and always.  Keep me from going astray and help me through the obstacles that come my way that I may be faithful to You always.

Lord Jesus, You know the difficulty of this world and the ways in which many can and do lead people astray.  Help me now and always to see in You the hope You provide through the grace You purchased that I may walk in the way You have created for the faithful.  I need You to save me from this world, Jesus.  Save me and lead me now and always, keeping my eyes fixed upon You.  Amen.

“He turned the sea into dry land; they passed through the river on foot; there let us rejoice in Him!  He rules by His might forever; His eyes keep watch on the nations; let not the rebellious exalt themselves.”  (Psalm 66:6-7)

There are those who are unwilling to believe these simple things.  God led the Israelites out of bondage and into the promised  land.  God can dry up the water.  God keeps His eyes upon the nations.  The rebellious will speak what they wish but God has spoken what is true.  You and I are called to witness what has been reported.  What is true?  Let not the rebellious be exalted.

O Lord, how majestic are the works of Your hands.  All around is the evidence of Your handiwork, but the rebellious rail against You and dream up their own ideas of reality.  Lead me away from the rebellion and into the simple truth which I see all around me.  Guide me according to Your precepts that I would walk in the ways You have established.  Lead me, O Lord, now and always.

Lord Jesus You are the strength of those who labor in the fields of this earth.  Many toil away and believe and the few argue away and lead astray many.  Help me to stand firm in the truth I have witnessed that the rebellious ones would have no sway over me.  Lead me to hold fast to the eternal truth You have revealed and the faith You have given me by grace that I may walk with You.  Amen.

Saturday, January 6, 2018 Devotion

“All the earth will worship You, and will sing praises to You; they will sing praises to Your name.” Come and see the works of God, who is awesome in His deeds toward the sons of men.”  (Psalm 66:4-5)

Stop listening to the noise of the world and look around. What do you see? Is not the earth and all that is in it marvelous and wondrous? Do you not see the intricacy and beauty all around? What then shall be said to those who cannot see but make noise? His deeds are above our ability to comprehend just as the beauty that surrounds us. Marvel at the Lord and His handiwork.

Lord, I give in to all the talk that goes on around me but do not marvel at the things before me.  Guide me, O Lord, into Thy ways that I would see Your work and marvel at all that You have done.  Lead my eyes to see and my ears to hear that I may praise You as one of Your own creations.  You Lord are the Creator of the universe and all things are in Your hands.  Guide me in Your providence.

Lord Jesus, You walked humbly among us.  The disciples marveled that even the seas would obey You.  Yet You are the One who created all things and it should have been no marvel.  Let me marvel instead that You would walk humbly with us to lead us to the Father.  Let me marvel at the work You have accomplished and praise You now and always.  You are the Lord of Salvation and the One who leads.  Amen.