Oct 25 Daily Rhythms

Daily Readings

Morning
Psalm 30:1-4

I will extol you, O LORD, for you have drawn me up and have not let my foes rejoice over me. O LORD my God, I cried to you for help, and you have healed me. O LORD, you have brought up my soul from Sheol; you restored me to life from among those who go down to the pit.

How has God healed and saved you? Quick – think of three words that describe how God has saved you, Changing you from what you once were or could have become. Thank him for these things. Thank him for his grace at work in your life. Now ask him to change you more.

Afternoon
Psalm 30:4-5

Sing praises to the LORD, O you his saints, and give thanks to his holy name. For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.

This is a favorite verse that echoes an important biblical truth. A truth that Fredrick Beuchner put like this, “All the death that ever was if you put it next to life would barely fill a cup.” Life, Restoration, Fullness, Joy, these are things that do indeed swallow up the darkness. The light has entered the world and the darkness has not overcome it.

Evening
Psalm 30:6-12

As for me, I said in my prosperity, “I shall never be moved.” By your favor, O LORD, you made my mountain stand strong; you hid your face; I was dismayed. To you, O LORD, I cry, and to the Lord I plead for mercy: “What profit is there in my death, if I go down to the pit? Will the dust praise you? Will it tell of your faithfulness? Hear, O LORD, and be merciful to me! O LORD, be my helper!” You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; you have loosed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness,that my glory may sing your praise and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks to you forever!

God saves for his glory. We have seen this before in the Psalms. Does this make him selfish? Does this make him cruel? That his salvation is not motivated first by kindness? What does the Psalmist need more than being rescued? He needs the glory of the Lord. So do we all. God being God is more important to us than a life preserver. God preserves and honors his glory precisely because we need it so bad. In a world that is so full of ugliness, God offers us the opportunity to behold something that surpasses all our hopes of beauty. Himself. Enjoy.