Tuesday, August 15, 2017

Songs of Praise: Psalm 87-88

Two psalms for Tuesday: Psalm 87-88
[Click the link above to read online or you might open your Bible today.]

Whether you are hopeful or full of despair there is a psalm for you today.

Today's first psalm reflects the thoughts of those focused on the eternal -- the glorious city of God to come. Where people from all nations are born into citizenship, find their names in the book of life, by faith in Jesus. Their's is a future full of abundance.

All my springs are in you.
Psalm 87:7

Springs for the desert dweller signify life, and that is what awaits those who have chosen His Way. A hope-full eternal future.

The second psalm gives us a taste of those focused on their earthly predicaments. They cry out to God -- they know Him as their only source of salvation -- but their hearts are filled with trouble.

Why, Lord, do you reject me and hide your face from me?
Psalm 88:14

The psalmist wonders at the absence of God's help in his circumstances. This is where we can get stuck when we forget our troubles are light and momentary compared to the glory to come.

The glorious eternal city of God is a far cry from the temporal trials and troubles of the day. Hear the heart of Psalm 88 as an encouragement to boldly go to God with all your doubts, fears, despair -- He can take it. But allow Him to remind you of what's to come and refocus on the hope of His promise.

So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.
2Corinthians 4:16-18 ESV

Lord Jesus, no matter what I face in this world today
never let me forget the wonder of Your promises
and the glory to come. Amen!

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