“Deliver me from the mire and do not let me sink; may I be delivered from my foes and from the deep waters. May the flood of water not overflow me nor the deep swallow me up, nor the pit shut its mouth on me.” (Psalm 69:14-15)

The swamp gets filled and it is dangerous to be there. In the mire of this world there are those who prey upon others. The world is filled with evil; and especially in our day we are told over and over again that it is not there. It is. Look to the Lord who is able to rescue. Look to the Lord who will keep you for being enveloped by the mire of this world. He has come to save.

Lord sometimes I am the evil person I lament; but all around me I see people calling evil good and good evil. I become confused and do not know where to turn. Help me, O Lord, to look to You, the One who knows me better than I know myself, and the only One who can rescue me from the pit. Lift me up, O Lord, that I would come into Your salvation and know Your goodness.

Lord Jesus, You are the Way, Truth and Life, and You have come to rescue all who turn to You from going down into the miry pit. Lead me this day by Your grace to go where You lead and be delivered according to the Father’s will. Help me now and always to be covered by Your grace and mercy that I would not be swallowed up by this world and its wickedness. Amen.

“Those who sit in the gate talk about me, and I am the song of the drunkards. But as for me, my prayer is to You, O Lord, at an acceptable time; O God, in the greatness of Your lovingkindness, Answer me with Your saving truth.” (Psalm 69:12-13)

Does it really matter when others speak of you words that are not true? Does it matter that lies are spoken when your heart is turned to the Lord? Do not be mistaken by the twists of the heart which seek acceptance in this world, but instead look to the Lord and seek His goodness and presence always. Seek the Lord and know His goodness and mercy all the days of your life.

Lord, I am influenced by what others think of me. I am fearful of their expectations and thoughts. Help me to remain sensitive, but not to the point where the truth of Your salvation is drowned out by the evil thoughts of others. Guide me, O Lord, according to Your goodness to walk in the ways You have established from old. Lead me through every valley of gossip to stand on the hilltop of truth.

Lord Jesus, You know the derision of those who hate You. You know what it is like to be talked about and lies spread against You. You know, yet graciously walked boldly in the will of the Father. By Your example, help me to walk with You now and always that I would not succumb to the derision of others, but stand boldly in the grace You freely give to those whom You call. Amen.

“When I wept in my soul with fasting, it became my reproach. When I made sackcloth my clothing, I became a byword to them.” (Psalm 69:10-11

Humble yourself in the sight of the Lord – not that He won’t hear you – but that you might be able to hear Him. Come into the small still places and be rid of the noise of this world. Come and know that God is Sovereign and that all things are in His hands. Lament your sin and rejoice in the gift of your salvation. Come with honesty and tears before the Lord your God.

Lord, You know all that I have done. You have heard all that I have spoken. You know me; and though You have invited me to walk with You, I do not know You as I should. Bring me to the place where I am willing and able to do what needs to be done. Guide me in Your goodness and let me hear as You speak that I would hold fast to the truth You have revealed through Your Word.

Lord Jesus, You are the One who has come to lead the way of salvation. You make the way possible through the grace You purchased with Your blood. You are the truth revealed that we might walk in the light and no longer linger in the darkness of this world. Lead me through all the pain and suffering of this world to know that You are the One who has come that we might have life. Amen.

‘I have become estranged from my brothers and an alien to my mother’s sons. For zeal for Your house has consumed me, and the reproaches of those who reproach You have fallen on me.” (Psalm 69:8-9)

What is the passion of your life? What do you think about when you meditate? What motivates you to move and have your being? We can think religion a once-a-week thing, in which case, it is just one of the many things we do. Or we can realize that the Creator of all has invited us into His everlasting presence to stand before His majesty in awe and wonder.

Lord, I do get caught up in a world of my own making, which is imaginary and unreal. I can also see clearly that You have called me into reality. Lead me, O Lord, into the life You offer me that I would walk in those ways which are pleasing to You. Help me now and always to seek the Truth which You have revealed and live into the hope You promise those who believe.

Thank You, Lord Jesus, for making the way possible to come into the Father’s eternal presence. Strip away those things that hinder me from living the life You give and the distractions that occupy my mind. Help me now and always to hold fast to You as You lead me where You know I need to go. Thank You, Lord Jesus, for sanctifying us one day at a time. Amen.

“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.