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faithfulness, God saves, protection, refuge, salvation, save, shield
I will praise Him!
You will find refuge — photo by David Kitz
He Will Save You
27 Thursday Jul 2017
Tag Archives: save
Restore us
28 Sunday May 2017
A Lost Sheep
27 Friday Jan 2017
Reading: Psalm 119
ת Taw
(Verses 169-176)
May my cry come before you, LORD;
give me understanding according to your word.
May my supplication come before you;
deliver me according to your promise.
May my lips overflow with praise,
for you teach me your decrees.
May my tongue sing of your word,
for all your commands are righteous.
May your hand be ready to help me,
for I have chosen your precepts.
I long for your salvation, LORD,
and your law gives me delight.
Let me live that I may praise you,
and may your laws sustain me.
I have strayed like a lost sheep.
Seek your servant,
for I have not forgotten your commands (NIV).
Reflection
This is the final reading from Psalm 119. Today’s reading features Taw, the final letter in the Hebrew alphabet. Day by day we have been making our way through this acrostic poem—reading as it were from A to Z in the Hebrew language. All of it is written in praise of God’s word and His promises. It is difficult to fully appreciate the structural beauty of this lengthy poem, when it is translated into English.
Lead me on your narrow path — photo by David Kitz
This line from today’s reading is typical of the psalmist’s praise for the word of God: May my tongue sing of your word, for all your commands are righteous.
At times the psalmist appears to be proud, even boastful of his obedience to God’s word, but here at the conclusion of this magnificent poem, he takes on a more humble stance. I have strayed like a lost sheep. Seek your servant, for I have not forgotten your commands.
There is something very human about this prayer—about this ending. We are very prone to stray. The prophet Isaiah reflects on this human characteristic. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the LORD has laid on him [Jesus] the iniquity of us all (Isaiah 53:6).
Jesus is our carrier—our iniquity carrier. He carried our sins to the cross where he suffered and died, so that his blood could cover those sins—my sins—your sins. But our sin carrier is also our Good Shepherd, who goes out to find those who are lost. He is the answer to the psalmist’s prayer. This is the purpose for his coming. “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost” (Luke 19:10).
Response: Father God, I confess I am prone to stray. Help me to stay to the straight and narrow way that leads to life. I thank you, Jesus, for seeking me and saving me by your shed blood. Amen.
Your Turn: Are you a wandering sheep? Have you been found by the Good Shepherd?
In His Arms
06 Friday May 2016
Posted in Friday's Focus, Psalms
Come save us and bless us. Be our shepherd and always carry us in your arms (Psalm 28:9, CEV).
Turtle perch at Kingfisher Bay Retreat Centre — photo courtesy of Ruth Waring
Reflection
This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is shepherding.
I confess there are times when I want to be carried—need to be carried. Sometimes my pride keeps me from confessing that desire. It’s been many years since my parents carried me in their arms. But I am still a child of God.
There are times when the burdens of life get heavy. At such times the Good Shepherd whispers in my ear, “Let me carry you.”
This was David’s plea:
Come save us and bless us. Be our shepherd and always carry us in your arms (Psalm 28:9, CEV).
If the burdens of life are getting too heavy for you, there is a Shepherd who will gladly lift you into His arms. Don’t let pride and an I-can-do-this-myself spirit keep you from accepting His help.
We need a Savior. We need a Shepherd.
Response: LORD God, I am yours. I am your child—the sheep of your pasture. Lift me up and carry me in my time of need. Thank you for your steadfast love and care. Amen.
Your Turn: Does pride keep you from accepting the Lord’s help? Are you proud to say you are poor in spirit?
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?
I love the Psalms 