Jan 24 Daily Rhythm

Morning
Psalm 71:12-16  

O God, be not far from me; O my God, make haste to help me! May my accusers be put to shame and consumed; with scorn and disgrace may they be covered who seek my hurt. But I will hope continually and will praise you yet more and more. My mouth will tell of your righteous acts, of your deeds of salvation all the day, for their number is past my knowledge. With the mighty deeds of the Lord GOD I will come; I will remind them of your righteousness, yours alone.

Have you noticed in your readings through the Psalms how often the Psalmists cry out with complaint toward God? Sometimes we might get annoyed by people who do this. But notice that these complaints always come with a plea for rescue. While they are honest about their problems, the Psalmists always direct their hope toward God. Do you?

Afternoon
Psalm 71:17-21

O God, from my youth you have taught me, and I still proclaim your wondrous deeds. So even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim your might to another generation, your power to all those to come. Your righteousness, O God, reaches the high heavens. You who have done great things, O God, who is like you? You who have made me see many troubles and calamities will revive me again; from the depths of the earth you will bring me up again. You will increase my greatness and comfort me again.

The Psalmist desires to make known the great deeds of God to another generation. This what has been called the Timothy principle. Paul had Timothy, a younger man, who he invested into. We should all have another generation that we seek to teach the things we have learned. Who in the next generation are you proclaiming the might of God to? Find someone.

Evening
Psalm 71:22-24

I will also praise you with the harp for your faithfulness, O my God; I will sing praises to you with the lyre, O Holy One of Israel. My lips will shout for joy, when I sing praises to you; my soul also, which you have redeemed. And my tongue will talk of your righteous help all the day long, for they have been put to shame and disappointed who sought to do me hurt.

The source of our praise is the work of God. Far too often our view of what God has done for us is limited. As you get ready to sell tonight, think about the deep ways that God has worked in your life. What has he saved you from? What is he saving you from right now? Praise him for his great salvation!