The Songs of Jesus: A Year of Daily Devotions in the Psalms

by Timothy J. Keller

Lord, I praise you that you care for all the races, nations, and peoples, that you want to encompass all of them with your saving love. I confess I am not nearly as generous, that some kinds of people I strongly dislike. Help me to see all as both sinful and yet the recipients of your loving offers. Amen.

Lord, when I forget the Gospel I become dependent on the smiles and evaluation of others. I hear all criticism as a condemnation of my very being. But you have said that “there is now no condemnation” for me (Romans 8:1). You delight and sing over me (Zephaniah 3:14–17); you see me as a beauty (Colossians 1:22). Let me always remember that! Amen.

Lord, I praise you for loving me enough to not just leave me as I am. I thank you for your training regimen in my life. Like all training it’s exhausting—that’s how it works. When I become impatient with it, help me remember Jesus, who was chastened voluntarily, not for his sins but for mine (Hebrews 12:1–3). Amen.

Lord, I praise you that your Son willingly paid a terrible price in order for me to gain access to you in prayer. If he was willing to come all the way from heaven to earth to do that, can I not rouse myself a bit earlier every

Lord, for years I thought that you could be active in my life through the Spirit and that the Bible was just a book of rules and inspirational stories. Thank you for showing me that the Bible is the way that, through the Spirit, you are active in my life. Let me know you through your Word. Amen.

In the psalmist’s culture God’s laws are being despised (verse 126) and believers are being oppressed (verses 121–122). No one is listening to the Word of God (verse 123). You too may find that when you speak about your faith you are vigorously ignored or even shouted down. What does the psalmist do? He asks God to “act” (verse 126), which means, “I am out of ideas and energy! I put it all in your hands.” There comes a time when all there is to do is to pray, to tend to your own heart and life, and to wait for God to open a door (Revelation 3:8).