O Father, as this moment is a part of
“all times” and “continually,” I would seek to bless and
praise You, even as I am aware of my feebleness in so doing. Truly I
am far more prone to bless You “sometimes” and to praise You
“sporadically.” Forgive me. Fix my mind and heart on You. As my
eyes are fixed on You, may my boast be in You alone. I confess that
far too often my eyes are on me and that my boasting is in myself.
Forgive me. You, O LORD, hear the righteous, and in and of myself, I
have no hope of being heard by You (although, so often I find myself
trusting in my own righteousness and believing that I am that
righteous man). Today, I am reminded that I am the sinner. Today, I am reminded to look once again to Christ who
is my righteousness and sanctification and redemption – that my
boasting may be in Him, even as my hope of being heard is in Him.
To magnify You, O LORD, is my great
desire – to bring into focus that which is so immense and beyond my
ability to fathom: You who are infinite, eternal, and unchangeable
(while I am finite and temporal and fickle); You who are Almighty
(while I am weak); You who are all-wise and just and holy and true,
conform me to the image of Your Son, who is the image of Your glory
and the exact representation of Your being. I consider His name, the
name that is above every name: Jesus – the Lord saves; Immanuel –
God with us. I praise You that You are the triune God, and that You
have gifted me with Your Holy Spirit, Your very presence dwelling in
me. Forgive me for so often grieving and quenching Him. May He move
freely in me, sanctifying me through and through.
You are the LORD, Yahweh, our covenant
God, faithful throughout all generations. You are a good God. The
earth is filled with Your goodness. You give us rain from heaven and
food to eat. You do not treat us as our sinful rebellion deserves,
but have provided in Your own beloved Son, a Lamb without blemish or
defect, more precious than silver or gold. You do not stand far off,
but bid us to draw near to You with boldness, to You who are a good
Father who gives good gifts to His children when they ask. Today, I
would ask for that greatest of all Your good gifts: the Holy Spirit
in full measure! And may I know with Him the blessing of Your
presence and the enjoyment of all that is necessary for this day of
trouble. Today, loved ones grieve, comfort and console them
with Your presence. Today, my wife faces potential dangers, encamp
around her to protect her. Today, my father and sister are weighed
down by heavy burdens of financial need, may they know your hand of
provision this day. Today, the weight of work to be done hangs over
me, focus me. Today, I will interact with people, not by random
chance, but by Your appointment, use me.
Teach me this day to fear You. Forgive
the evil of my lips. I truly am a man of unclean lips living among a
people of unclean lips. Purify me from cursing, lying, backbiting,
scheming, gossiping, demeaning, and boasting. Make me a man of peace.
Help me to pursue it. Teach me to speak Your truth with great
patience and careful instruction. Teach me the time to speak and the
time to remain silent.
Trustworthy God, I trust You. May those not
be merely idle words which fall from my lips, but may they be my
continual mindset and lifestyle. May I lean on You today, my Redeemer
and my Deliverer, my Protector and my Provider. May Your holy name be
praised to the gladdening of Your people. Amen.
Psalm 34:1-22
