All that is in the world Now let us see thy beauty, Lord, As we have seen before. Benjamin Waugh 1 John 2:15—17 The world I inhabit is certainly impossibly beautiful to me. I have seen beauties in it that I cannot bring myself to despise. Attractive, glorious beauty. I cannot turn myself into…
The splendid outcome What are human beings that you are mindful of them, Mortals that you care for them? Psalm 8:4 Read 2 Timothy 4:5—8 I may not spend much of my time thinking about the great conclusion to my life. Present concerns, present day matters press on me. By far the longest part…
God’s ornament Your hands have made and fashioned me; Give me understanding that I may learn your commandments. Psalm 119:73 Read Titus 2:1—10 The Lord would have consistency in me. A consonance between myself and what I profess. It never did please Jesus to spot hypocrisy in anyone, and he called people out on…
Freedom without offence But know that the Lord has set apart the faithful for himself; The Lord hears when I call to him. Psalm 4:3 Read Romans 14:13—21 The principle is clear enough, but how does it apply to me? In Christ I have freedom. I am freed from finding my own way to…
My defender Contend, O Lord, with those who contend with me; Fight against those who fight against me. Psalm 35:1 Read 2 Corinthians 10:1—6 I know how hurtful and disabling it is to lose people’s respect. To lose my integrity is to lose everything. If anyone is in ministry, that ministry is gone. Something…
A ruthless love Vindicate me, O God, and defend my cause Against an ungodly people. Psalm 43:1 Read Matthew 10:34—39 Since Jesus is the very embodiment of love, the form that the love of God has taken on the earth, and the definition and delineation of what love is, I may not have expected…
The moment of panic My refuge and my fortress; My God, in whom I trust. Psalm 91:2 Read John 4:46—54 This is barely a stand-alone story. By the introduction and the conclusion the writer wants me to get something. I’m meant to connect it with the story in chapter 2 where Jesus, at the…
The marriage supper of the Lamb You anoint my head with oil; My cup overflows. Psalm 23:5 Read Revelation 19:6—10 If I ever get old and doddery and lose the edge of some of my drives, I really hope I don’t lose the fulfilment of the hunger drive. Good food. The smell of it.…
Cold or hot? Clap your hands, all you peoples; Shout to God with loud songs of joy. Psalm 47:1 Read Revelation 3:14—22 So am I cold? Or hot? Only one option would ever be acceptable. If I were a cold Christian, how would I look? I would rarely have followed the prompting of the…
A saint of God The faith of God’s elect and the knowledge of the truth That is in accordance with godliness. Titus 1:1 Read 2 Corinthians 6:11—18 This evening devotion requires me to comb through my life with discernment. It could have a life-changing outcome. On the one hand I am in Christ, and…