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Wild flowers, Petrie Island, Ottawa, ON — photo by David Kitz
If You Love Me
14 Sunday Aug 2016
Posted in Psalms, Sunday's Psalm
Tag Archives: salvation
Your Saving Power
19 Tuesday Jul 2016
Posted in Psalms, Tuesday's Truth
Tags
advertising industry, celebrate, celebration, God, Jesus, Safeway, salvation, the LORD, worshipers
Let your worshipers celebrate and be glad because of you. They love your saving power, so let them always say, “God is wonderful!” (Psalm 70:4, CEV).
Butchart Gardens, Victoria, BC — photo by David Kitz
Reflection
This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is celebration.
Many years ago I saw a sign in front of an urban church which read, “Jesus saves!” The grocery store down the street countered with the slogan, “Safeway saves you more!”
So who has more saving power, the gods of merchandise or the God of the universe? The advertising industry certainly works hard at getting us to part with our money. Do you realize that right now, for a limited time you could save $300 on that deluxe barbecue? But here’s an even better saving option. You could save $700 by not giving into that barbecued temptation.
I love the saving that the LORD promotes, because He saves me from my greedy self. We can celebrate that kind of saving, because it’s genuine and personally transforming. It changes us at the core.
Let your worshipers celebrate and be glad because of you. They love your saving power, so let them always say, “God is wonderful!” (Psalm 70:4, CEV).
God is wonderful because through Jesus, He gives us exactly what we need—a Savior.
Response: LORD God, thank you for saving me from being trapped in my sins. Change me from day to day so that I become more like your son, Jesus. I celebrate your love. Amen.
Your Turn: What is wonderful about God’s saving power for you?
No Signs from God
12 Tuesday Apr 2016
Reading: Psalm 74
Verses 9-17
We are given no signs from God;
no prophets are left,
and none of us knows how long this will be.
How long will the enemy mock you, God?
Will the foe revile your name forever?
Why do you hold back your hand, your right hand?
Take it from the folds of your garment and destroy them!
But God is my King from long ago;
he brings salvation on the earth.
It was you who split open the sea by your power;
you broke the heads of the monster in the waters.
It was you who crushed the heads of Leviathan
and gave it as food to the creatures of the desert.
It was you who opened up springs and streams;
you dried up the ever-flowing rivers.
The day is yours, and yours also the night;
you established the sun and moon.
It was you who set all the boundaries of the earth;
you made both summer and winter (NIV).
Reflection
Do you watch for road signs? I’m inclined to say yes, of course I do. But if I am traveling through a familiar neighborhood or to a familiar location, I pay very little attention to road signs. After all, I know where I am going and how to get there. But put me in unfamiliar territory without a GPS, and the situation changes dramatically. I am hunting for road signs like a hungry hawk hunts for field mice. Every sign is spotted well in advance; the details are read and repeated to cement them into my memory. Landmarks and the appearance of the terrain are memorized for future reference. I do all this because I don’t like being lost.
River Ice Chandelier — photo by David Kitz
In our reading from Psalm 74, the psalmist finds himself in unfamiliar territory. The nation has been invaded and the enemy has desecrated the temple. This is an enormous loss. But beyond the loss, there appears to be no way forward. The psalmist laments, “We are given no signs from God; no prophets are left, and none of us knows how long this will be. How long will the enemy mock you, God?”
When I am lost, I watch for signs. But in this situation God gave no signs. After the psalmist pours out his complaint before God, he does not stay there. He goes on to recall the miraculous works of God. He reminds God of His interventions into the affairs of humankind. He makes this bold personal declaration, “But God is my King from long ago; he brings salvation on the earth.”
As we pray for our nation, we would do well to pattern our prayers on Psalm 74.
Response: LORD God, you see the sins of our nation. Bring us back to you. You are the Almighty God. You do not change. Bring your salvation on the earth even as you did long ago. You are my King. Amen.
Your Turn: Why is it helpful to recall God’s mighty deeds in your life?
Tell Every Nation
29 Tuesday Mar 2016
Posted in Mid-Week Medtiation, Psalms
Tags
afterglow, announce, every nation, Jesus Christ, proclamation, resurrection, salvation, the LORD
Day after day announce, “The LORD has saved us!” Tell every nation on earth,
“The LORD is wonderful and does marvelous things! (Psalm 96:2-3, CEV).
Easter Sunrise 2016 — photo by David Kitz
Reflection
This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is proclamation.
We live in the afterglow of the resurrection. Unlike an afterglow that fades over time, this afterglow ought to intensify within us like the power of the rising sun. And why should this be the case? Because with each passing day, the day of redemption and regeneration of our physical bodies is drawing closer. Today, I’m one day closer to seeing my resurrected Lord face to face.
Within us there should be a growing desire to declare the goodness of the Lord. The psalmist expresses it this way:
Day after day announce, “The LORD has saved us!” Tell every nation on earth,
“The LORD is wonderful and does marvelous things! (Psalm 96:2-3, CEV).
We are tasked with the job of joyous declaration. Good news is not difficult to share. We are not tasked with announcing the death of a loved one. We have the joy of sharing the news that one man—Jesus Christ—has defeated death. By faith his resurrection victory becomes our victory as well.
Response: LORD God, I want to glow with the joy of knowing you and your resurrection power. Give me the privilege of telling someone else the good news today. Amen.
Your Turn: Is your resurrection afterglow growing or fading?
Packing Off to Hell
28 Monday Mar 2016
Posted in Monday Meditation, Psalms
Tags
announce, death, hell, Jesus, power, proclamation, resurrection, salvation
All day long I will announce your power to save (Psalm 71:24, CEV).
Chapel of the Transfiguration, Grand Teton National Park — Photo courtesy of Matthew Taylor
Reflection
This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is proclamation.
Do you have something wonderful to announce? If you are a witness to the resurrection of Jesus Christ, you certainly have something to proclaim. To put it simply our great enemy has been defeated. Through Jesus’ victory, death has been sent packing off to hell.
If that’s not good news, then I don’t know what is. The psalmist expresses it this way:
All day long I will announce your power to save (Psalm 71:24, CEV).
Jesus has the power to save us from death, hell and the grave. The proof of that is his empty tomb. By faith we too are witnesses of the resurrection. We know Jesus is alive by the proof of his indwelling presence in our lives.
Glory be to God! I have something to announce. My sins are forgiven. Death is defeated and I have eternal life thanks to Jesus.
Response: LORD God, I rejoice in the victory Jesus won over death. By faith that victory is mine as well. I don’t want to keep this good news to myself. Help me spread the joy. Amen.
Your Turn: Are you a witness to the resurrection?
Power with Purpose
03 Thursday Mar 2016
Posted in Psalms, Thursday's Thought
I will praise you, LORD God, for your mighty deeds and your power to save (Psalm 71:16, CEV).
Power to Save – photo courtesy of Donald Adam
Reflection
This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is power.
What is power without a purpose? I’m reminded of a young buck revving his engine, so he can pop the clutch, spin his tires and squeal off in a blaze of glory, dust, and bravado. There’s really not much purpose in it, unless I suppose it’s to impress.
At times God will display His power, but unlike the young buck showing off his hot car, the LORD has a meaningful purpose in His display of power. His purpose is our salvation.
I will praise you, LORD God, for your mighty deeds and your power to save (Psalm 71:16, CEV).
In the Old Testament, in a grand display of miraculous power, the LORD rescued his people from slavery in Egypt. Israel was saved by God’s power.
In the New Testament in a grand display of miraculous power, the LORD raised Jesus from the dead, and in doing this He defeated death, our age-old enemy. Jesus rescued us from slavery to sin. Praise God! His power has purpose.
Response: LORD God, I praise you for the grand rescue mission you sent your Son to accomplish. Thank you for resurrection morning and your power to save me. Amen.
Your Turn: Do you appreciate God’s power to save?
My Power to Save
21 Thursday Jan 2016
Posted in Psalms, Thursday's Thought
The sacrifice that honors me is a thankful heart. Obey me, and I, your God, will show my power to save (Psalm 50:23, CEV).
My Lighthouse in the Storm – photo by Eric E. Wright
Reflection
This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is salvation.
Here’s a rather uncomfortable truth about God. He wants us to obey Him. We want Him to save us from our troubles, but He in turn wants our obedience.
For the independent, I’ll-do-it-my-way crowd, this call for obedience is a real downer. Who wants to follow a Savior who requires obedience?
Jesus said to his disciples: If you love me, you will do as I command (John 14:15).
We prefer salvation without sacrifice. I want Jesus to save me, but I don’t want him telling me what to do. Ah, but this salvation he offers requires sacrifice. It cost Jesus his life. He went to the cross to purchase my salvation. That’s a steep price.
Our joy-filled gratitude and willing obedience are a fitting response.
Response: LORD God, I am thankful for the salvation you purchased for me through Jesus death. Help me today to hear your voice and be obedient to your commands. Amen.
Your Turn: Are the Lord’s commands difficult for you to obey?
Carry Us
20 Wednesday Jan 2016
Posted in Mid-Week Medtiation, Psalms
Come save us and bless us. Be our shepherd and always carry us in your arms (Psalm 28:9, CEV).
Lake Ontario sunset – photo by Eric E. Wright
Reflection
This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is salvation.
It’s a long, long time since I have been carried, but it remains as a pleasant childhood memory. I recall falling asleep in the car on the way home from a visit to some distant relatives. I remember slowly waking as my father carried me into the house.
David, the shepherd king penned the words of this prayer: Come save and bless us. Be our shepherd and always carry us in your arms.
Undoubtedly, as a young shepherd David remembered carrying lambs in his arms, but surely he also remembered being carried as a boy.
We may be adults now, but there are still days when we want to be carried—need to be carried. We are too big. Human arms aren’t strong enough. We need the LORD, the good shepherd, to carry us.
Response: LORD, my shepherd, when I am weary carry me in your arms. At the close of the day, I want to feel your warmth and rest next to you. Come save and bless me. Amen.
Your Turn: Do you still long to be carried?
Turn and Come
18 Monday Jan 2016
Posted in Monday Meditation, Psalms
Turn and come to my rescue. Show your wonderful love and save me, LORD (Psalm 6:4, CEV).
Lake Ontario surf – photo by Eric E. Wright
Reflection
This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is salvation.
In today’s verse from the Psalms, the psalmist pleads with God to, “Turn and come to my rescue.”
Though I don’t doubt the psalmist’s sincerity, I wonder who really needs to do the turning. Does God turn His back on us, or is it we who turn our back on God?
From personal experience I can say I am prone to walk away from God until…
Until I get in trouble, and then I come running back to Him pleading to be rescued.
Fortunately, God continues to show us His wonderful love despite our blunders. He is the LORD, who saves us from ourselves.
Response: LORD God, thank you for being the God of my salvation. You have rescued me over and over again. You are a kind and loving Savior. Amen.
Your Turn: Is your heart turned to God or are you prone to wander?
Save us, LORD
14 Thursday Jan 2016
Posted in Psalms, Thursday's Thought
Save us, LORD God! Bring us back from among the nations. Let us celebrate and shout in praise of your holy name (Psalm 106:47, CEV).
Morning hoarfrost — photo by Donald Adam
Reflection
This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is holiness.
In today’s reading the psalmist cries out, “Save us, LORD God!”
There’s an element of desperation in that prayer. It should be our prayer too. If holiness is what God requires then salvation is our greatest need.
We are unable to save ourselves. Holiness does not come naturally to the human soul. We need God to intervene. And that’s just what the Father did when He sent His son Jesus to suffer and die in our place.
Our redemption was purchased for us at the cross. The price was the shed blood of Jesus.
Now every believer can say, “Through Jesus, you saved us, LORD God!”
Response: LORD God, I thank and praise you for sending Jesus to be my redeemer. Holiness is available to me personally through faith in the blood of Christ. I love you, LORD. Amen.
Your Turn: Have you received the salvation from sin that Jesus offers?
I love the Psalms 