“The chariots of God are myriads, thousands upon thousands; the Lord is among them as at Sinai, in holiness. You have ascended on high, You have led captive Your captives; You have received gifts among men, even among the rebellious also, that the Lord God may dwell there.”  (Psalm 68:17-18)

The Lord God has always been about His business and the ways of the wicked one are forever thwarted. Though the battle rages, the war is over. Each generation is offered the opportunity to come into the presence of the Lord, taste His goodness and see, and even from among those who rebel, there are those to whom the Lord grants grace. The Lord gives gifts to those who come to Him.

Lord, in so many ways, life is so simple. You offer grace that we may walk in peace. You give gifts to those who love You. You provide amply for all. You desire that we would abide in You as You abide in us. Take me away from the insanity of this world and let me see clearly Your goodness that I may walk in Your ways and uphold Your statutes wherever I am at all times.

Lord Jesus, humbly You have come bearing the gift of salvation for all who believe. Lead me, O Lord, into the way of goodness that has forever been established. Guide me ever closer to Your ways that I would walk in them. Help me now and always to simply abide in You as You abide in me that I would live in the eternal freedom which is mine by Your grace, purchased by You on the cross. Amen.

Thursday, January 4, 2018 Devotion

“You have crowned the year with Your bounty, and Your paths drip with fatness.  The pastures of the wilderness drip, and the hills gird themselves with rejoicing.  The meadows are clothed with flocks and the valleys are covered with grain; they shout for joy, yes, they sing.”  (Psalm 65:11-13)

In every season you can see the hand of the Lord.  Life is created, sustained and given bounty in spite of all human interference.  God provides and keeps the balance.  Do not be deceived, for the mocker will claim it is chance; but the hand of the Lord is clearly seen for all who will look.  Look, see and rejoice in God your Savior who provides for even the birds of the air.

Lord, I get caught up in the propaganda of this age which continuously throws things my way so that I am unable to think clearly.  Help me see that You have provided for all of our needs and have done so amply.  Guide my thinking to see each day the joy of the bounty You give that I may be one who praises You in all circumstances.  You are good and Your goodness shines through each day.

Lord, the greatest bounty of all is the grace You purchased from the cross.  You gave Yourself that all who look and see may look upon You and see the invitation to come and join with You forever.  Lead my heart to follow after You, Lord Jesus, knowing that You have come to lead the way into the greatest bounty of all.  Help me walk through, around or over every obstacle to remain with You.  Amen.

Thursday, December 28, 2017 Devotion

“They hold fast to themselves an evil purpose; they talk of laying snares secretly; they say, “Who can see them?”  They devise injustices, saying, “We are ready with a well-conceived plot”; for the inward thought and the heart of a man are deep.  But God will shoot at them with an arrow; suddenly they will be wounded.” (Psalm 64:5-7)

The plans of the wicked are all the same.  They think what they do is secret, but the Lord who sees all things knows what the wicked do in secret.  It comes to naught.  Look to the Lord and know that He who sees all things knows what is needed and provides before you make the request.  Yes, it seems for a time the wicked prosper, but what they do amounts to nothing.

Lord, help me to have a larger view of things that I may see through time how the plots of those who devise things in secret are thwarted.  Guide me to know truly that You who sees all things cannot be shaken.  Help me trust in Your provision at all time knowing that You are working all things together for good for those who love You.  Lead me, O Lord, that I may be led by You alone.

Lord Jesus, You went to the cross through the efforts of  those who plotted in secret places, yet it fit perfectly the Father’s will.  From this simple place, let me see that no matter what happens, Your hand of grace is upon me and all who turn to You.  Guide me according to Your perfect will to see in You the hope of glory that You have won at the cross through those who desired otherwise.  Amen.

Tuesday, December 26, 2017 Devotion

“Hear my voice, O God, in my complaint; preserve my life from dread of the enemy.  Hide me from the secret counsel of evildoers, from the tumult of those who do iniquity,” (Psalm 64:1-2)

In our hearts, even if on the outside others call us peaceful, we lament and complain to the Lord about how things are.  Our hearts are troubled.  But the Lord who hears all these things knows what is needed and has provided salvation to all those who believe in Him.  Come to the Lord and know the peace He gives.  He will shield you under His wings and guide you through the tumult of this world.

Lord, I do need what You offer, yet while saying this, I often avoid the very thing I need.  Guide me by Your Spirit to learn to listen as You guide me through the tumult of this world.  Help me in every time of need to turn to You knowing that You alone, who knows all things, knows what is needed.  Guide me into and through humility to stay away from the counsel of evil doers.

Lord Jesus, You know what it is to walk in this troubled world.  Help me now and always to look to You, the author and finisher of my faith, to see the way I should go.  Help me live according to Your purposes that I may forever hold fast to the salvation You have prepared for me through grace.  Lead me, O Lord, that I may follow and teach me humility that I may walk humbly with You.  Amen.

“They return at evening, they howl like a dog, and go around the city.  They wander about for food and growl if they are not satisfied.”  (Psalm 59:14-15)

Many live for the physical pleasures this life can give: wandering in the night and satisfying the lusts of the body like unthinking animals.  But you have been awakened to the truth of the Lord who lives forever.  Will you continue wandering like an animal or come into the presence of the One who created you?  This is the offer of salvation, that you would know the Lord who knows you.

Lord, I do spend my days wandering trying to figure things out while simply seeking to satisfy the longings of the physical realm.  Take my mind and awaken it to the reality of eternity that I would pursue what is good and right.  Lead me in the way I should go and then help me move in that direction.  Lift me up out of the pit and set my feet upon the path of righteousness.

Lord Jesus You have come to save as many as would be saved through Your grace.  Bring my mind, body and soul into the salvation You offer and help me walk in the ways You have established.  Keep me close to You now and always that I may walk in the salvation of the righteous.  Keep me from living like a mere animal and seeking the better portion.  Amen.

“On account of the sin of their mouth and the words of their lips, let them even be caught in their pride, and on account of curses and lies which they utter.  Destroy them in wrath, destroy them that they may be no more; that men may know that God rules in Jacob to the ends of the earth.”  (Psalm 59:12-13)

The wicked will come to nothing though it be a generation or even many generations before their deeds are remembered no more.  Do not spend your energy on those who will perish, but keep your eye on the prize of eternity which the Lord offers to the faithful.  Know that He is mighty to save and will lead you in all of your ways in His path of righteousness.

Lord, help me see through the confusion of this age the goodness that You offer before me.  Help me now and always to see clearly the truth You have revealed once for all.  Guide me in the way of truth that I may walk now and always in Your ways.  Help me to see Your goodness and know that in You is the hope for all in this age of sin.  May I now and always be guided by Your salvation.

Lord Jesus, by Your grace alone is there hope and a future for all who are captives in this age of sin.  Guide me now and always to see the hope of glory You offer through forgiveness.  Lead me to see in You alone my guidance through everything that will come.  Help me now and always to live with You as my example, by Your grace able to meet all that will come this and every day.  Amen.

“But You, O Lord, laugh at them; You scoff at all the nations.  Because of his strength I will watch for You, for God is my stronghold.”  (Psalm 59:8-9)

Look at the pale of history and what do you see?  You see the once supposed great nations in ruin.  Those who walk in the way of the wicked come to nothing.  The nations rise and fall. In their height they think no one can crush them, but they come to ruin.  Do not look to the nations, but to the One who created all things and know that in Him alone is hope and glory.  He alone is God.

O Lord, Your ways are so far above our ways that we cannot even imagine, yet You love each one whom You have made.  Guide me, O Lord, in the way I should go that I may go that way.  Help me now and always to look to You for all things and walk in Your ways.  You are the stronghold of all who look to You.  Guide me, O Lord, now and always and keep me close to You.

Lord Jesus, the One who has come to lead the way for those who are called according to Your purpose, keep my eye upon You and the prize You offer in grace.  Let me not stray, nor wander in other places, but remain with You guiding me at all times.  Let my lips speak Your goodness.  May I now and always hold praise of You and the work You have done on my lips.  Amen.

“For behold, they have set an ambush for my life; fierce men launch an attack against me, not for my transgression nor for my sin, O Lord, for no guilt of mine, they run and set themselves against me.”  (Psalm 59:3-4)

We often pay the recompense for our own sin in this world although forgiveness is granted to us by grace.  There are times though when others will attack with no real provocation and simply accuse and malign.  In a world of wickedness, these things do happen.  The Lord knows.  Look to the Lord who knows all things and be comforted by His grace to persevere in every time of trial.

Lord, as a sinner, I want revenge when it is by no fault of mine that I am being persecuted.  Grant that I would rest in Your grace and realize that You alone are able to handle every injustice, for You alone are able to discern what is right and fitting in every circumstance, Lead my heart to turn to You at all times and know that only in You can I find true peace that surpasses all understanding.

Lord Jesus, You have experienced the rebellion of the wicked first hand and know the false accusations that were raised against You.  In Your compassion and by Your understanding, lead me through these times of trial that will come that I may keep my eyes upon You and trust in Your never-failing support through all the tribulations of this world.  Lead me through Your grace dear Jesus.  Amen.

“He will send from heaven and save me; He reproaches him who tramples upon me. God will send forth His lovingkindness and His truth.  My soul is among lions; I must lie among those who breathe forth fire, even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows and their tongue a sharp sword.  Be exalted above the heavens, O God; let Your glory be above all the earth.”  (Psalm 57:3-5)

The Lord’s salvation has come, just as He promised.  It is He who came and became one of us.  He knows our weaknesses and He knows our need.  The Lion of Judah, the One from whom the scepter shall never pass, is the One who offers His hand to each of us.  It is the hand of truth and He shall lead all who follow forever in the presence of the glory of God.

Who fears the Lord but the one who encounters truth.  The Lord is truth and He offers grace and mercy to those who seek Him and humble themselves before Him.  His is the everlasting glory, before all time and forever.  Stand fast in His presence and all else that is passing away will seem of no worth in comparison to what He offers in the way and truth He gives which leads to eternal life.

Lord Jesus, the One who has come to end the warfare for those who believe, lead me this day to rejoice in the true glory of the Father You have revealed.  Guide me not so much to know as to understand that all I need do is follow You all the days of my life.  You are the truth revealed, promised long before and in You is the hope of all generations.  May you be exalted through me this day.  Amen.

“Be gracious to me, O God, be gracious to me, for my soul takes refuge in You; and in the shadow of Your wings I will take refuge until destruction passes by.  I will cry to God Most High, to God who accomplishes all things for me.”  (Psalm 57:1-2)

Grace is unmerited favor, a gift that the Lord grants to those who turn to Him.  We all need grace, for we all have fallen short of the glory of the Lord.  Cry out to the Lord who hears you and knows all about what He has made.  Know that in Him you can take refuge and He will cover you in the shadow of His wing.  The Lord is more than able to accomplish your salvation.

Lord, in times of trouble I look to You, but often in times of plenty, I simply go my way and ignore You.  Help me realize that this age is a time of great trouble and turmoil.  Lead me into the truth of Your presence that I would know that in You I have an eternal hope and a future.  Guide me in Your will to walk in Your ways all the days of my life, knowing in You alone can I hope.

Christ, the Savior of the World, You have come to be the refuge for all.  Lead me in the grace You have purchased by Your own blood that I may forever walk in the mercy of the Father.  Destruction has already come upon the world, but in You I need not fear anything that comes.  Lead me, O Lord, to stand by Your side and walk where You direct, knowing that only in You will I be made complete.  Amen.