God of Our Salvation

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Christianity, Compassion, Devotional, God, Grace, Hope, Jesus Christ, Mercy, Redemption, Salvation

“Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of your name; deliver us, and atone for our sins, for your name’s sake!” (Psalm 79:9, ESV).

            In this psalm of Asaph, the plea is lifted up for God to be merciful to His people and to judge their enemies.  Israel has been devastated (vv.1-4), and the psalmist cries out, “How long, O LORD?” (v.5).  God’s forgiveness is implored (v.8), and in verse 9, the covenant relationship comes into focus, with an appeal to the God who is glorified in salvation.

            Bring your yearnings before the God of salvation.  God is merciful and compassionate, the Savior of those who call out to Him, who turn to Jesus in repentance and faith.  Glorify Him in the outpourings of His mercy, and draw near with a grateful heart.

Compassionate

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Christianity, Compassion, Cross, Devotional, Encouragement, Faith, Forgiveness, God, Grace, Hope, Jesus Christ, Mercy, Peace, Psalms, Redemption, Salvation

“Yet he, being compassionate, atoned for their iniquity and did not destroy them; he restrained his anger often and did not stir up all his wrath” (Psalm 78:38, ESV).

            In remembering the mighty works of God, the psalmist reflects on God’s judgment and discipline, but also on His merciful forbearance.  Even when His people stray, God shows His abundant kindness.  All our hope rests in the gracious God; we are undeserving, but He is abundant in compassion and mercy.

            Root yourself at the foot of the cross.  Make God’s unending love, profoundly displayed in the saving sacrifice of Christ, your refuge and hope.  In all of our sins and failures, we find forgiveness and freedom in the merciful redemption offered by God.  To His mercy we may continually turn, and find grace in every hour of need.

To Be Near God

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Christianity, Compassion, Coronavirus, COVID-19, Devotional, Encouragement, God, Grace, Hope, Mercy, Pandemic, Peace

“But for me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord GOD my refuge, that I may tell of all your works” (Psalm 73:28, ESV).

            In the last verse of Psalm 73, the psalmist rests in the presence of the Lord, who watches out for His people and shows His redeeming might.  As with the psalm more generally, the contrast between the wicked and the righteous is explicit; the wicked, whose prosperity was highlighted earlier in the psalm, will be suffer God’s judgment (v.27), but those who trust in the Lord will proclaim His deliverance.

            Let us make this our desire, “to be near God”.  God is near to those who call upon Him, and those who trust Him may rest in Him.  This life brings sorrow and trouble, but God is a refuge for those who seek Him.  Draw near to the Lord, and rest in the goodness of His saving might, His mercy and compassion.

Turn to Me

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Comfort, Coronavirus, COVID-19, Devotional, Encouragement, Faith, God, Grace, Hope, Love, Mercy, Pandemic

“Answer me, O LORD, for your steadfast love is good; according to your abundant mercy, turn to me” (Psalm 69:16, ESV).

            This psalm of David offers a desperate plea for God’s salvation, beginning with the image of being nearly inundated beneath waters that threaten to overwhelm (vv.1-2).  David has worn himself out calling upon God (v.3), and his enemies are many (v.4).  He doesn’t pretend to be guiltless (v.5), and after giving various details, he rests his hope in the enduring love of God (vv.13, 16).  God’s mercy is the hope of His people.

            Hope in the steadfast love of the Lord.  His mercy abounds towards all who call upon Him, and He is strong to deliver from all danger and to cleanse from all sin.  The journey of faith is a continual exercise of trust in God our Savior; keep your eyes fixed on Him, day by day.

Strong in His Strength

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Christianity, Coronavirus, COVID-19, Devotional, Encouragement, God, Grace, Mercy, Pandemic, Strength

“Bless our God, O peoples; let the sound of his praise be heard, who has kept our soul among the living and has not let our feet slip” (Psalm 66:8-9, ESV).

            Psalm 66 reflects gratefully on God’s deliverance of His people.  It begins with an exhortation to praise (vv.1-4), and proceeds to hold up God’s mighty saving deeds for display (vv.5-7).  Verses 8-9 underline God’s merciful deliverance, and the gratitude of the redeemed.  From there the song proceeds with reflection on God’s deliverance through testing (vv.10-12), the psalmist’s grateful resolve (vv.13-15), further testimony to God’s mercy (vv.16-19), and a final word of praise (v.20).

            Praise God for His fatherly care.  Day after day He pours out His love upon us; with every new dawn, He shows His abundant grace.  Relying on ourselves, we are weak and liable to fall.  Relying on God, we can stand strong in His unfailing strength.  Praise God for His sustaining might.

All the Ends of the Earth

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Christianity, Coronavirus, COVID-19, Devotional, Encouragement, God, Grace, Hope, Mercy, Pandemic, Providence

“By awesome deeds you answer us with righteousness, O God of our salvation, the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest seas” (Psalm 65:5, ESV).

            David continues to extol the God who answers prayer and lifts up those who call upon Him.  As he speaks of the great scope of God’s works, He reflects on the Lord’s power displayed in creation (v.6) and His providential care in the bounty of the earth (vv.9-13).  God is generous, and His common grace overflows in this world; how much more should we wonder at His special grace to those who receive His redemption.

            God’s mercy is so abundant, His grace so vast.  Reflect on the wonderful generosity of His care for you, in the ordinary things of life, in the goodness of the world He has created and continually sustains; then reflect upon the marvelous mercy of His gift of salvation in Jesus Christ our Lord.  May the mercy of God fill you with hope ever-new.

Satisfied

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Christianity, Coronavirus, COVID-19, Devotional, Encouragement, God, Grace, Hope, Mercy, Pandemic, Peace, Security

“Blessed is the one you choose and bring near, to dwell in your courts!  We shall be satisfied with the goodness of your house, the holiness of your temple!” (Psalm 65:4, ESV).

            In this psalm, David lifts up grateful praise to God, who hears the prayers of His people.  He begins by expressing the worthiness of the Lord for honor and devotion (v.1), that God hears prayer (v.2) and forgives sin (v.3).  How wonderful it is to belong to the one true God, and how gracious, that God should draw a people to Himself (v.4).

            Wonderful indeed is the unmerited grace of God Almighty.  Under the weight of guilt and sin, look to Him to lift you up; in the grip of grief, look to Him for peace and hope.  Set your heart on the presence of God, the gift of the Spirit by faith in Jesus Christ.  That is where true and abiding joy is found.

He Alone

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Christianity, Coronavirus, COVID-19, Devotional, Encouragement, God, Hope, Mercy, Pandemic, Strength, Trust

“For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation.  He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken” (Psalm 62:1-2, ESV).

            In another psalm, David reflects on his confidence in God’s protection against the schemes of the wicked.  Though enemies assail him, (vv.3-4), he will trust in God’s deliverance (vv.5-7).  Notable in this psalm is the repeated reference to God as the only hope, the sole reliance of His people (vv.1, 2, 5, 6).  In God alone should we hope; He is able to bring us through every trial.

            Even when you must wait, wait confidently upon the Lord.  God is compassionate and gracious, matchless in might, faithful and good.  He is all the confidence His people need, and He is the only one who never fails.  May you face every struggle in reliance upon His infinite strength.

Mighty and Merciful

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Christianity, Coronavirus, COVID-19, Devotional, Encouragement, Faithfulness, God, Hope, Love, Mercy, Pandemic, Peace, Strength

“O my Strength, I will watch for you, for you, O God, are my fortress.  My God in his steadfast love will meet me; God will let me look in triumph on my enemies” (Psalm 59:9-10, ESV).

            This is another psalm of David where he pleads with God for deliverance from the machinations of men.  The arrogance of the wicked is countered, and overcome, by the saving might of God.  Despite the plots of evil men, David knows confidence because of God’s merciful perfection; thrice in the psalm this twin theme is repeated, of God as a secure fortress and of God’s “steadfast love”, on which His servant relies (vv.9-10, 16, 17).

            Steel yourself in the blessed comfort of God’s strength and mercy.  The Lord is able to save from any situation, to defend against any danger; the Lord is kind to those who call on Him, and compassionate to His children.  Take refuge in God Almighty.

A Contrite Heart

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Christ, Christianity, Compassion, Coronavirus, COVID-19, Devotional, Encouragement, Forgiveness, God, Gospel, Grace, Mercy, Pandemic, Salvation

“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise” (Psalm 51:17, ESV).

            Psalm 51 is a penitent psalm, as David cries out to the Lord for forgiveness.  His plea is based upon the unfathomable mercy, the “steadfast love” of God (v.1).  The king confesses his sinfulness, recognizing that God is ultimately the one against whom his sins offend (vv.3-6); yet God is able to forgive, restore, and cleanse the guilty conscience (vv.7-12).  David looks for His salvation with hope for the future (vv.13-15), recognizing that it is not truly outward sacrifices that please God (v.16), but repentance of the heart (v.17)—yet we must read this in the context of the whole of Scripture, and recognize that a penitent heart is not enough unless it takes hold of the true sacrifice for sins, the cross of Christ.

            God is merciful to those who call upon Him.  No gifts can really enrich God, no works really benefit Him; but He has compassion on those who humbly seek His grace.  In love, God sent His own Son to sacrifice for our sins; in mercy, He will receive those who come to Him.  Keep your trust fully fixed upon the wonderful love of God.