The Last Day

So here we are. The last day of another year. A good time to look back, a good time to dream ahead.
And so on this last cold December morning in 2012, the house is quiet. The fire is burning and the den is warm. My coffee is poured and my Bible is in my hands.

Psalm 86

¹ Hear me, Lord, and answer me, for I am poor and needy. Guard my life, for I am faithful to you; save your servant who trusts in you. You are my God; have mercy on me, Lord, for I call to you all day long. Bring joy to your servant, Lord, for I put my trust in you.

• Actually today I feel richly blessed and not poor and needy. You are my God, and You have extended to me mercy and grace that I can hardly understand. Help me God to continue to put my trust in You, and help me to remember that trusting in myself is the quickest way for me to end up in trouble.

 ⁵ You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you.  Hear my prayer, Lord; listen to my cry for mercy. When I am in distress, I call to you, because you answer me. Among the gods there is none like you, Lord; no deeds can compare with yours.  All the nations you have made will come and worship before you, Lord; they will bring glory to your name. For you are great and do marvelous deeds; you alone are God.

• Forgiving and good, abounding in love.  Where would I be without Your forgiveness, goodness and love? Thank you God for listening to me. There is none like you. You are the beginning and You are the end. There is no authority above You or beyond You. You will be honored. Every knee will bow.

 ¹¹ Teach me your way, Lord, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart,
that I may fear your name. I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever.  For great is your love toward me; you have delivered me from the depths, from the realm of the dead.

•  Teach me your way, Lord - Shape my heart and mind to be teachable. I want to turn to you first and trust you fully. An "undivided heart" ~ remove those things in me that distract me from You. Remove those things in me that do not honor You, or reflect Your character. I want to soak You up re-present Your character to others. Your love to me is great, and it has transformed my life. When I praise You will ALL of my heart and glorify Your name FOREVER - there is no room for selfishness, self-centeredness or self importance. I need my eyes, my heart, my mind - my everything to be fully focused on and surrendered to You God.

¹⁴ Arrogant foes are attacking me, O God; ruthless people are trying to kill me— they have no regard for you.  But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness. Turn to me and have mercy on me; show your strength in behalf of your servant; save me, because I serve you just as my mother did.  Give me a sign of your goodness, that my enemies may see it and be put to shame, for you, Lord, have helped me and comforted me.

•  But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.  This simple verse sums up so much truth. Your character is consistent. 

I don't know what You have in store for the next 12 months. My guess is that some things will be fun and easy, while others will probably be hard and scary. I don't want to rush ahead of you, and I don't want to lag behind. I want to walk right next to You. I wanna hold Your hand. I wanna be close enough to hear your whisper and brave enough to obey. Love You God ~ and I know You love me too :-)