the Fourth Week after Easter
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Daily Devotionals
Day by Day Devotional - Year 3 of 5
Psalms 39:1-13
To curb a believer’s self-will God sometimes has to make use of bit and bridle (Psalms 32:9). And to control his tongue, this untamable little member, a muzzle would be necessary (v. 1 — margin; see James 3:2).
We who find it so hard to keep silent, particularly when we suffer wrong, ought to think of the perfect example of the Lamb who opened not His mouth (v. 9; Psalms 38:13; Isaiah 53:7; 1 Peter 2:23).
"Thou hast made my days as an handbreadth" (v. 5). Brief existence . . . and yet so foolishly wasted by so many people in a vain rush to pile up earthly riches! (v. 6; Ecclesiastes 2:21; Ecclesiastes 2:23). Let us pay attention to the four certainties of vv. 5, 6 and 11. Not only is man but vanity (vv. 5, 11), but further he "walketh in a vain show". In this world’s stage, where the drama of humanity is drawing to a close, the cast and the set will soon be put aside. "The fashion of this world passeth away" (1 Corinthians 7:31). That which is true, firm, imperishable, is that which belongs to the invisible, heavenly sphere (1 Peter 1:4). Understanding that he can expect nothing in such a world as this, the man of faith poses the question, "Lord, what wait I for?" and he himself gives the answer, "My hope is in thee" (v. 7).
