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More on Psalm 17:15b

Published by S.M. Wibberley on July 25, 2022
Further thoughts on, “when I awake, I will be satisfied with seeing your likeness.” Psalm 17:15b
 
When I awake from death you will be there, too. How much more stupendous it will be when I arrive in your full presence, Lord Jesus, seeing you without the veil of sin and selfishness. It will be indescribably wondrous.
 
I praise you for the daily revelations you give now from your Word, through your Spirit, through God sightings, in the beauty of your creation like the flowers below, in the beauty of your creation like the flowers below, as you remind of us of truths taught and lessons learned so we can apply them again.
 
As one who has the privilege of knowing you so, of living in your joy, may I be a hope carrier, a perspective bringer, and faith supplier to all those around me as I pass through this life.
 
May the wonder of your love flow through and out of me to those I meet today, giving you glory and honor and bringing further surrender and obedience in us all.]
May be an image of flower and nature
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Psalm 17:15

Published by S.M. Wibberley on July 24, 2022
Psalm 17:15 “And I—in righteousness I will see your face;”
 
[Praise you, Lord Jesus, that you have given me your righteousness and opened the way so that I will see you in eternity, face to face. What a hope, what a high and wide security, equipping us to face the future, knowing where we are going. And what joy to see more and more of you here on earth in your Word, in your Works, and in your Wisdom.]
 
“when I awake, I will be satisfied with seeing your likeness.”
 
[When I awake each morning, you are there, Lord Jesus, watching over me, having prepared this day with all that is needed: grace, wisdom, insight, discernment, challenges and opportunities, as well as protection and provision.
 
You are a marvel, a joy, a wonder, a glory. I praise you for the deep, rich, powerful and glorious privilege of being yours, of being with you, of being in you.
 
Knowing you now, living with you now is certainly enough reason for joy! Seeing you through your Word and works, veiled and dim as it is, is majestic, transforming, marvelous and far more than enough reason to find all my joy in you.
May be an image of nature, sky, twilight and tree
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Psalm 17:14

Published by S.M. Wibberley on July 24, 2022
Psalm 17:14 “O LORD, by your hand save me from such men, from men of this world whose reward is in this life”
[The wicked are in the hand of the evil one; they live only for this world: they are shortsighted, focused on what they can get in the short run and are short-lived.
But praise you, Lord, that in contrast, you have given us the long range perspective of living for eternity, living for greater things than the values of this world.
 
You have lifted us from the narrow, dark pit of sin and slavery, and brought us into a wide, pleasant position before you, into the light of your Word, into the place of your presence, into the peace and joy of your love.
Praise be to you for all the good you share, all the beauty you bring, all the gifts you give. To look at those forces of men and devils who attack us and what they want to force on us—slavery, fear, despair, hopelessness and death–and then to look at where you have brought us—into the Kingdom of light, into your grace, into your embrace–the contrast is stark, deep, powerful and wonderful.
To you be glory and honor for sharing your goodness with the naturally godless like us, making us your children, putting your divine nature in us, placing us in your family, your Kingdom, your plan and your heart.
May you be glorified in my life today through gratitude, gratefulness and being a glory-giver in each instance, each decision, each challenge, by offering the sacrifice of thanksgiving.
May be an image of cloud, tree and nature
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(Untitled)

Published by S.M. Wibberley on July 22, 2022
Psalm 17:12 “…the wicked who assail me…are like a lion hungry for prey, like a great lion crouching in cover.”
[Our powerful enemies, Satan and his hordes, are like a beast desperate for food: dangerous, destructive and determined–burning churches (as has been happening here in the US), killing Christians, persecuting children. They are terrifying and terrible,a mob too strong for us. We are in desperate need of help before they overcome us.]
Psalm 17:13 “Rise up, O LORD, confront them, bring them down;”
[In your might, Lord, you can easily win this battle. You are the Creator of the universe, Breather of the stars, Bringer of the dawn, Captain of history and Ender of time. You are strong enough to deliver us from any enemy.]
“rescue me from the wicked by your sword.”
[No one can withstand the onslaught of your sword of Truth and the Power of your right hand, Jesus. As John wrote in Rev. 19:11.21, “…there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and wages war….[those who fought against God] were killed with the sword coming out of the mouth of the rider on the horse….”]
 
As it says in Psalm 46 “The Lord is an ever present help in trouble…therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and fall into the midst of the sea….” Even when everything around us collapses we can rest in the God of goodness and trust our Supreme Shepherd. Remind us to do that, Lord.
Picture: though the earth give way….
May be an image of 2 people and outdoors
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Psalm 17:11

Published by S.M. Wibberley on July 21, 2022
Psalm 17:11 “They have tracked me down, they now surround me, with eyes alert, to throw me to the ground.”
 
[Satan intentionally sends his servants out to track us down and attack. This description of spiritual warfare is expanded on in Psalm 62:3-4: “How long will you assault me? Would all of you throw me down– this leaning wall, this tottering fence?”
 
We are weak and unable to stand on our own against the attacks of Satan’s forces, whether he uses people or events, sickness or accidents, fear or frustration.]
 
“Surely they intend to topple me from my lofty place;”
 
They want to have us forget who we are in Christ–children of the Most High God, chosen, forgiven, adopted and delighted in–to forsake Him as our high tower, to topple us into the swamp of self-pity, materialism and despair.]
 
“they take delight in lies. With their mouths they bless, but in their hearts they curse.”
 
[Satan’s forces can be slick, sounding so positive and constructive at times (“we welcome all, we don’t want anyone to be offended”), but their goal is destruction, causing people to accept lies and harmful values–as we see happening all around us today, with abortion, rampant divorce, twisting of the definition of marriage and political correctness.]
 
Our strength is inadequate, but yours, Lord God, is mighty, invincible, far more than adequate–you who breathed the stars, who hung the earth on nothing, who brings the dawn each day–you are able to empower us to stand in any situation.
 
Help us to remember these truths:
that we are in a spiritual battle every day;
that our real enemies are not people,
but Satan’s forces using them.
 
Help us, Lord, to keep on the full armor you have provided, to fight with praise, prayer and persistence in obedience and to see your mighty power triumph in our lives and in those of people we are called to serve.]
 
May be an image of nature
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Psalm 17:9-10

Published by S.M. Wibberley on July 20, 2022
 
Psalm 17:9 “… hide me in the shadow of your wings from the wicked who assail me, from my mortal enemies who surround me.”
 
[For David, these enemies were actual people; for us it is sometimes people acting like our enemies, but it is actually our spiritual foes, Satan and his forces of demons and devils, who regularly use people to attack God’s children.
 
This opposition is real, it is powerful, it is beyond our abilities to withstand or overcome. We know that Satan’s goal is to rob us of joy, to destroy our testimonies, families, churches and lives. And to kill, as he is doing in the Middle East and parts of Africa with attempts by terrorists to wipe out all Christians in their area. We need help desperately!
 
Praise be to you, Lord, that you do want to hide us in the shadow of your wings. You are our rock, our salvation and our high tower. You urge us to take shelter in you–just as David is doing in Psalm 17 by pouring out his heart to you and asking for help–so that we will never be shaken.]
 
Psalm 17:10 “They close up their callous hearts, and their mouths speak with arrogance.”
 
[People used by Satan are certainly callous—I read recently that a young man publicly executed his own mother for opposing his joining a jihadist grouup!
 
And when you hear the pronouncements of those who oppose biblical truths and standards, there is huge arrogance as they exalt their own intellect above the Almighty Creator of heaven and earth, Maker of the sea and all that is in it. They are but pawns in Satan’s plans; mercy and grace are foreign concepts to them. May this not be true of us!]
 
Praise God that He is the opposite of this: our gracious Savior, our caring Shepherd, our powerful Protector and persistent Provider. We can always know that “This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it!”
May be an image of tree, twilight, nature and sky
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Psalm 17:8b

Published by S.M. Wibberley on July 19, 2022
Psalm 17:8b “hide me in the shadow of your wings.”
[You, Heavenly Father, actively shelter your children, covering us with your pinions of your Presence and Power, keeping us safe from what is truly evil, like the rooster in the picture below.
 
But we, like chicks, must choose to stay under your wings, to abide in your love, as you, Jesus, command us in John 15:9-10, “Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love.”
If we choose to disobey your commands, Lord Jesus, and in arrogance and selfishness elevate our intellect and desires above your Word, as Adam and Eve did, we remove ourselves from the protecting shelter of your love.
Even then, though, you never stop loving us. You are always there, calling us, waiting for us to come and again abide in your shelter, your grace, your unconditional love.
And when we do stray in disobedience, you actively, in your love, chasten us by letting us suffer the consequences of our poor choices (Heb. 12:1-17). You do this so we will come to our senses and return to obedience to you.
 
You WILL hide us under your wings, if only we will come and abide there.]
Help us, Lord, to abide in your love, obeying what we know to be true, reveling in the Truth of your great and wonderful compassion and care for us. May we have the glow of your love in our hearts, in our souls and on our faces as we go with you into today, that we may bring light and hope to all those we meet.
May be an image of game fowl
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More on how Jesus loves us!

Published by S.M. Wibberley on July 18, 2022
The Father loves the Son because God IS love; He can never not love. His love is “agape,” that is, it does not depend on the response of the loved one. Whatever we may do, God’s love will not stop flowing to us.
Now, here’s the point: as the Father loves the Son, so Jesus loves us!!! This is an astounding, beautiful, transforming and wonderful truth, too good to be true–and yet it is true for all believers. This is because Jesus has purchased us and given us His righteousness, His guiltless record and His holiness.
We can exult with John as he wrote in 1 John 3:1, “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!”
So, we don’t have to try and live off the love others give us; instead we can live out of the Love God always gives us, being confident in His acceptance, forgiveness and liking us!
 
Knowing who we are, a deeply loved child of God, gives us a sense of worth, security and purpose in life.
 
Knowing how much we are loved, we can love, forgive and like ourselves! And others. We can rest in His love, abide in His love and revel in His love because it is wide like this field, secure, eternal and wholehearted. It is not based on us but upon His unchanging, all powerful nature. We ARE the apple of His eye!]
 
May be an image of nature, tree and grass
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Psalm 17:8

Published by S.M. Wibberley on July 17, 2022
Psalm 17:8 “Keep me as the apple of your eye;”
[This, Lord God, is how you view each of your children, the object of your illogical, unbelievable love. To you we are special, unique, wonderful and dearly loved. By you we are delighted in, doted on and deeply cared for.
 
You chose us, you cleansed us from our sin and guilt, you called us into your arms, you claimed us as your children, you commissioned us to special service and you cherish us wholeheartedly with joy.
Jesus made an amazing statement in John 15:9, “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you.” This is an astounding, ground-shaking, worldview-shifting announcement. If we grasp this in ongoing depth, it will change our whole lives, resulting in us “being filled to the measure of all the fullness of God” (Eph. 3:16-19).
And how does God the Father love Jesus the Son?
He loves Him enthusiastically and Eternally,
wholeheartedly, willingly, widely,
without equivocation without reservation, without interruption,
without any doubts, without remorse,
joyfully, jubilantly and justly,
positively, purposefully and powerfully,
constantly, creatively and consistently,
warmly, wonderfully, wildly,
fully, forcefully and forever.
Most foundationally, the Father loves the Son because God IS love; He can never NOT love. His love is “agape,” that is, it does not depend on the response of the loved one. Whatever we may do, God’s love will not stop flowing to us.
 
In this truth we rest, O God, reveling, exalting in your rich, deep and immeasurable love. May we grasp this more deeply every day so our lives will be transformed.
May be an image of nature
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Psalm 17:7

Published by S.M. Wibberley on July 16, 2022
Psalm 17:7 “Show the wonder of your great love,
[Yours, Lord Jesus, is a love far richer and deeper, more committed than even David could know in his time. He was not able to see your great plan to move through immense suffering–spiritually, mentally, emotionally, physically and volitionally–which you were willing to endure because of you love for your rebellious creatures. To say your love is wonderful is a woefully inadequate statement! Praise you for your immeasurable, mighty, all-encompassing, all consuming compassion]
“you who save by your right hand those who take refuge in you from their foes.”
[Your right hand, the hand of honor, is powerful and adequate to save us in any danger. You, Lord Jesus, are our sure Refuge, our high Tower, our mighty Rock, our righteous Redeemer and sufficient Savior who is every watching over us.
 
We must, however, run to you and take shelter in that refuge. We are called to partnership with you and need to actively join you so you can do your promised part.
I praise you, Lord God, that you, in your immense might, your persistent power, your notable knowledge of all and your pervasive presence, can never be defeated.
 
No one can trick you, fool you or get around you. Therefore, you are fully able to protect us, to bring us through whatever events you allow and bring us down your green path and out into the wide and pleasant place you have prepared, into the green pastures of your pleasure.
We praise you now for what you will do today in protecting us, preparing all for us and providing what we need. May we live in the light of this truth and rest in you, no matter what comes.]
May be an image of nature, tree and grass
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