“Will You perform wonders for the dead? Will the departed spirits rise and praise You? Will Your lovingkindness be declared in the grave, Your faithfulness in Abaddon?” (Psalm 88:10-11)

We worry about what is next and what comes after this life. The Lord is the God of the living and not the God of the dead. Leave all things where they belong, which is in His hands. Know that He who formed the universe is master even over death. He shall bring all things under His feet, for all things are subject to Him, even the evil that is currently in rebellion against Him.

Lord, amidst the ups and downs of this age, bring me to see that You are always my Master. Lead me to trust in all that You do, knowing that Your goodness has already prevailed and that what we are witnessing is for Your purpose. Guide me, O Lord, to walk humbly with You all of my life knowing that even in death, You will be with me as Lord and Master.

Jesus, when we are united with You in a death like Yours, it means that we will be united with You in a resurrection like Yours. You have conquered death and there awaits for all who are in You the hope of eternal glory. Even though I go down to the pit, yet shall I be raised to join eternally with You. Guide me , O Lord, in the way You would have me go knowing that in You there is a sure hope. Amen.

“Your wrath has rested upon me, and You have afflicted me with all Your waves. You have removed my acquaintances far from me; You have made me an object of loathing to them; I am shut up and cannot go out. My eye has wasted away because of affliction; I have called upon You every day, O Lord; I have spread out my hands to You.” (Psalm 88:7-9)

David cried out to the Lord amidst the estrangement he felt around Him. We all have periods of loneliness when it seems those we thought close draw away. Is not the Lord always there? Has He not walked with you all the days of your life? He is the One who has watched out for you all along. Should He not be the One who is closest to you? He is. Come and see His goodness.

Lord, no matter the circumstances of my life or what is happening, help me to know that You are always there. Guide me in Your goodness that I would walk with You always knowing that You are always with me. Help me live the way You would have me live knowing that You are with me always. Lift me up to be drawn ever closer to You that in all my ways I may walk knowing You are above me, beside me and within me.

Lord You are my salvation. In all things, You are there to guide and lead me. Help me now and always to abide in Your presence with the knowledge that You are always with me. Help me in every time of trouble to see that You are there. No matter where life takes me, help me remember that You are God, above all others, and You have reached out to me with Your salvation. Amen.

“Forsaken among the dead, like the slain who lie in the grave, whom You remember no more, and they are cut off from Your hand. You have put me in the lowest pit, in dark places, in the depths.” (Psalm 88:5-6)

The wicked shall go to the dust and their deeds be remembered no more. Why then pursue the way of the wicked? Who wants to remember evil? Do we not applaud the deeds of those who do good? Even history proclaims the truth of the deeds of those who do good. Be remembered by the Lord and stand in His presence, having done what is pleasing in His sight. Know the Lord and learn the good.

Lord, You call to all who will listen in every generation. There are those who hear Your voice and respond to Your call. Count me among those who hear You and teach me to walk in Your ways. Guide me according to Your goodness that I would now and forever live according to Your Word of truth which has been spoken from the beginning. Lead me, O Lord, in the way I should go.

Holy Spirit, I need Your ministry in my life. I need what You alone can do. Guide me this day according to the will of the Father to walk in the way You would have me go. Lead me according to Your goodness to see those things which are right to do and then guide my feet to do them. Help me now and always to live according to the promises You have spoken that I may be amongst those You remember. Amen.

“For my soul has had enough troubles, and my life has drawn near to Sheol. I am reckoned among those who go down to the pit; I have become like a man without strength,” (Psalm 88:3-4)

The way of the wicked unleashed upon the earth weighs heavily on the soul. It seems for a time that the wicked prevail. Yet if we step back, we see that they always fail in the end. The Lord will give you eyes to see that only His will shall prevail and that those who are in Him will win the prize of salvation. We are without such strength; for only the Lord is able to save.

Lord, help me to see clearly that salvation is in You alone and that we cannot, by our own effort or strength, accomplish what needs to be done. Lead me in the way of truth that I may now and always abide in the way of salvation that You have declared throughout Your Word. Lead me, O Lord, that I may follow You all the days of my life in the way You have established for all.

Father in heaven, I want to do something for my salvation but I have no strength. You have come in the flesh to be my strength. Take away from me the ideas of doing these things by my power that I may rely upon Your perfect will being accomplished in me now and always. You have already accomplished salvation for those who believe. Help, Lord, my unbelief that I may trust You above all things. Amen.

O Lord, the God of my salvation, I have cried out by day and in the night before You. Let my prayer come before You; incline Your ear to my cry!” (Psalm 88:1-2)

The Lord is our light and our salvation. Ponder what this means. It is not what you do, but what He has done. He invites those who hear His voice to come into His presence and walk in the way of salvation. Come unto the Lord and be fed by the word of truth that You may know that He hears your cries amidst a world filled with wickedness. The Lord hears our cries and has answered with salvation.

Lord, help my heart to be calm and my mind ready to receive the salvation You have prepared. Still the voice in my head that places conditions on salvation to receive freely what You have given. Guide me in the way of life that I may walk humbly in the salvation You give for all. Lead me to the place where I truly trust You above all things knowing that only in You is there hope and a future.

Lord Jesus. Salvation come to earth, guide me this day to walk in the way, truth and life You have accomplished from the cross. By the power of the Holy Spirit, lead me in the way of that truth. Keep me from making conditional what is unconditional, the way You have prepared for those who believe. Lead me to trust You and walk humbly in the way You have established for all. Amen.

“The Lord will count when He registers the peoples, “This one was born there.” Then those who sing as well as those who play the flutes shall say, “All my springs of joy are in you.” (Psalm 87:6-7)

Ultimately, the Lord knows those who are His. In the final count, those who dwell in Zion will count it as joy. Do not worry about whom the Lord knows, but be thankful that He has called you. He who knows all things will guide those whom He has called into the goodness of His grace and mercy. Abide in Him, with Him in You, and know the truth of the ages which He has revealed.

Lord, I do worry, but is that not my desire to control? Help me to learn how to trust that I would now and forever turn to You in all things. Guide me according to Your goodness that I may live life in a way that is pleasing to You. Help me now and always to be guided by Your will which You have established and do those things which are pleasing in Your sight.

Savior of all, You have come to bring life and light to all who know Your voice. Guide me, O Lord, in the way You have established which leads to everlasting life. Help me through the struggles I will encounter this day to simply abide in the love You have shown, sharing with others as you have shared with me. Help me abide in You today, doing what is pleasing in the Father’s sight. Amen.

“I shall mention Rahab and Babylon among those who know Me; behold, Philistia and Tyre with Ethiopia: ‘This one was born there.’” But of Zion it shall be said, “This one and that one were born in her”; and the Most High Himself will establish her.” (Psalm 87:4-5)

From all over, the Lord calls to those who know Him. Yes, many come from within the established fellowship, but there are those who come from the outside. The Lord knows those who are His. He has called all to come into His presence and walk in the ways He has established from the beginning. Come to the Lord and see that He is good and that His mercy endures forever.

Lord, I sometimes do not see that You are there and love all people. Though I have been amongst Your people, sometimes I do not see it. Help me I pray to move beyond what I see to grasp Your goodness and mercy and walk in the ways You have shown. Guide me, O Lord, that I may forever live in the truth of Your goodness and mercy and abide in Zion forever.

Lord Jesus, You are the Savior who has come to call all who hear Your voice. Lead me, O Lord, to walk with You as You guide me in the way You know I need to go. Help me now and always to see in You the hope for all generations and abide in the grace You give. Grant me a heart that looks upon all in hope that they too will one day know Your goodness and grace. Amen.

“His foundation is in the holy mountains. The Lord loves the gates of Zion more than all the other dwelling places of Jacob. Glorious things are spoken of you, O city of God.” (Psalm 87:1-3)

Those whom the Lord has always known are in His presence. Though we remain in the world, yet we are also in the Lord’s presence. Do not fear, but rejoice that the Lord knows you and loves you. Be guided by His word of love and know that He has plans for you, and they are to prosper you in His presence. Come then and dwell in the house of the Lord and be comforted by His grace.

The Lord knows the troubles we face. Before it happens, He knows the difficulty we will face. Do not fear, but rejoice and know that the Lord is always with You. Be guided by His presence and learn to obey all that He has commanded. Be prepared for what is to come. Trouble comes in the morning, but the end is in the Lord’s hands. Know that He loves those who are His.

Lord Jesus, in great love for all, You came that we may not perish but have everlasting life. You have come that those who are in You would rejoice in the provision of Your grace. Lead me this day, O Lord, that I would walk humbly with You knowing that in You is the hope of every generation. Guide me step by step to live according to the word You have given. Amen

“Turn to me, and be gracious to me; Oh grant Your strength to Your servant, and save the son of Your handmaid. Show me a sign for good, that those who hate me may see it and be ashamed, because You, O Lord, have helped me and comforted me.” (Psalm 86:16-17)

When we come into the presence of the Lord, we are witnesses of His presence. Those who walk humbly with God are an accusation against those who do wickedness. The Lord is comfort itself and walks with those who are His. Be comforted by the Lord and know that His plans for you and for all who are in Him will work to good. He will teach You what is right and true.

Lord, this world is sometimes difficult and I do not know which way to turn. I meet the hatred others have for You and I am perplexed. Remind me constantly of Your Word and Your presence that I may hold fast to the truth You have given once for all. Lead me now and always, by holding fast to me, that I would walk with You in my thoughts and deeds, and with constant reminders of Your presence.

Lord Jesus, You walked this earth and You know how difficult it can be. Bring me to remember the truth of Your word that I may hold fast amidst the trials and tribulations that come my way, Lead me, O Lord, in the way I should go and help me not to veer from the path You have set before me. Lead me through the crowd of those who hate You and would lead me astray that I may be faithful to the calling You have given me. Amen.

“O God, arrogant men have risen up against me, and a band of violent men have sought my life, and they have not set You before them. But You, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness and truth.” (Psalm 85:14-15)

There are the strongmen of this world who seek for the lives of the faithful. There are those who for a time prosper at the expense of the lowly. Yet You, O Lord, are above all, and in Your mercy, You watch over all and keep things moving as they need to move. Help me, O Lord, to live humbly in Your presence and see in You the hope of every generation that I may abide in Your presence.

The Lord knows every hair on our head and nothing will come our way that He is not aware of. He is not far off as some think, but always present. Come into His presence and know His comfort. Yes, some things may happen that you do not understand, but He has promised that all things work together for good for those who love Him. Come and find your rest in Him.

Lord Jesus, You met some strongmen who took Your life, yet it was for the purpose of our salvation. Guide my mind to understand that You hold all things together and know all things that will happen. Lead me to simply trust in You always knowing that in You alone is the eternal hope of salvation. Guide me this day to humbly accept what I can and trust for all else knowing that I am in Your hands. Amen.