Feb 19 Daily Rhythm

Morning
Psalm 78:40-43

How often they rebelled against him in the wilderness and grieved him in the desert! They tested God again and again and provoked the Holy One of Israel. They did not remember his power or the day when he redeemed them from the foe, when he performed his signs in Egypt and his marvels in the fields of Zoan.

Oh God, help us to remember that disobedience grieves your heart. You are a loving father. Good to your people. Desperate for not merely our actions, but our very hearts. Give us hearts that choose to love you. shape us into those who seek to love more than to obey.

Afternoon
Psalm 78:44-49

He turned their rivers to blood, so that they could not drink of their streams. He sent among them swarms of flies, which devoured them, and frogs, which destroyed them. He gave their crops to the destroying locust and the fruit of their labor to the locust. He destroyed their vines with hail and their sycamores with frost. He gave over their cattle to the hail and their flocks to thunderbolts. He let loose on them his burning anger, wrath, indignation, and distress, a company of destroying angels.

Father, there is no path which you will not tread to bring justice for your people. There is nothing that can stay your hand for obtaining salvation. You proved this to us on the cross. Help us to find comfort in your power. And rest in your zeal to rescue your people.

Evening
Psalm 78:50-54

He made a path for his anger; he did not spare them from death, but gave their lives over to the plague. He struck down every firstborn in Egypt, the firstfruits of their strength in the tents of Ham. Then he led out his people like sheep and guided them in the wilderness like a flock. He led them in safety, so that they were not afraid, but the sea overwhelmed their enemies. And he brought them to his holy land, to the mountain which his right hand had won.

Oh God, the exodus stands before us Christians as an example of you winning our fights for us. Today we battle against sin in our hearts, sin in our world, brokenness both in and around us. Yet, we glory and comfort in the cross of Christ where you, Jesus, conquered our sin and shame. Help us to come there daily and rest in your accomplished work. Trusting you to finish soon what you started.