Infinity

Day 132
Why do you think I gave you an imagination? So you can meditate on Me. With your finite mind, you cannot comprehend my thoughts. My ways of thinking are far beyond you. But if you give your imagination to Me, let my Spirit take the wheel and drive you into the deep of my heart, you will begin to experience more of Me.

What do you enjoy in my creation? Basking in a beautiful sunset at the ocean's shore? Riding the exhilerating white waters of a mighty river that splits through a formidible canyon? Resting in the peaceful quiet of the great redwood forest, sparking sunlight gently falling on your shoulders through the treetops? Reaching the peak of a Rocky mountaintop, sharing the eagle's view, miles of amazing beauty stretching out beneath my sky of blue? Staring into the black, star-speckled night, resting in perfect peace on a hilltop far away from every manmade thing? Walking through a beautiful garden, fragrant breezes flowing over flowers and grasses, hedges and shrubs of every pastel and brilliant color, size and shape?

Let these places be doorways of your imagination for my Spirit to take you into new discoveries of who I am and how I long to reveal myself to your heart. Fix your mind and heart on the immensity of Me.

Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls; all your waves and breakers have swept over me. -- Psalm 42:7

He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. -- Psalm 23:2

And he carried me away in the Spirit to a mountain great and high, and showed me the Holy City, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God. -- Revelation 21:10

For as the earth bursts with spring wildflowers, and as a garden cascades with blossoms, so the Master, God, brings righteousness into full bloom and puts praise on display before the nations. -- Isaiah 61:11

The wall was jasper, the color of Glory, and the City was pure gold, translucent as glass. The foundations of the City walls were garnished with every precious gem imaginable: the first foundation jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald, the fifth onyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, the twelfth amethyst. The twelve gates were twelve pearls, each gate a single pearl. The main street of the City was pure gold, translucent as glass. -- Revelation 21:17-21

Limited?

Day 131
What limitations have you placed on Me? Is the problem too big? Are the resources not available? Is there not enough time? Not enough money? Is the road too long? Are the people too resistant? Do they argue with you, mock you, persecute you? Have you endured for too long? Is the difficulty too deeply entrenched? Are things happening too quickly? Too slowly? Is there too much confusion? Is the pain too debilitating? Are you surrounded by people who doubt Me? People who don't understand? Have you already tried everything? Have you lost hope? Can you see no way of escape?

Okay. Now lift up your eyes and begin to focus on Me. I am above every limitation. It's only the direction of your gaze that keeps Me out of your picture.

Autumn Asters

I look up to the mountains; does my strength come from mountains?
No, my strength comes from God, who made heaven, and earth, and mountains.
He won't let you stumble, your Guardian God won't fall asleep.
Not on your life! Israel's Guardian will never doze or sleep.
God's your Guardian, right at your side to protect you—
Shielding you from sunstroke, sheltering you from moonstroke.
God guards you from every evil, he guards your very life.
He guards you when you leave and when you return, he guards you now,
He guards you always. -- Psalm 121 [The Message]

Do you not know? Have you not heard? Has it not been declared to you from the beginning? Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth? It is He who sits above the circle of the earth, and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers, Who stretches out the heavens like a curtain and spreads them out like a tent to dwell in. He it is who reduces rulers to nothing, Who makes the judges of the earth meaningless. Scarcely have they been planted, scarcely have they been sown, scarcely has their stock taken root in the earth, but He merely blows on them, and they wither, and the storm carries them away like stubble.

"To whom then will you liken Me that I would be his equal?" says the Holy One. Lift up your eyes on high and see who has created these stars, the One who leads forth their host by number, He calls them all by name; because of the greatness of His might and the strength of His power, not one of them is missing. Why do you say, O Jacob, and assert, O Israel, "My way is hidden from the Lord, and the justice due me escapes the notice of my God"?

Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth does not become weary or tired. His understanding is inscrutable. He gives strength to the weary, and to him who lacks might He increases power. Though youths grow weary and tired, and vigorous young men stumble badly, yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary. -- Isaiah 40:21-31 [NASB]

Hiding Place

Day 130
Have you found your hiding place? Do you know that no matter where in the world you find yourself, no matter what the climate is around you or what manner of people and circumstances surround you, night or day, your hiding place is intact, and I will always meet you there. You need to meet with Me there often, because everything else you meet with (even in your sleep) drains the life out of you. I am the only One who replenishes life within you. All through the day, you're giving life away, or people are taking life energy from you. It has to be replenished, or you will be overcome and eventually your life will be snuffed out.

Run to the hiding place and be refueled -- over and over and over again. Drink and be drenched in my eternal wellspring of life, or you will have nothing to give to those who are in need. When you are full of my life, empty people can find a connection with Me through you, and you can introduce them to their hiding place in Me.

Then the word of the Lord came to Elijah: "Leave here, turn eastward and hide in the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan. You will drink from the brook, and I have ordered the ravens to feed you there." So he did what the Lord had told him. He went to the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan, and stayed there. The ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning and bread and meat in the evening, and he drank from the brook. -- 1 Kings 17:2-6

The Lord said, "Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by." Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. -- 1 Kings 19:11-12

As Moses went into the tent, the pillar of cloud would come down and stay at the entrance, while the Lord spoke with Moses. Whenever the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the entrance to the tent, they all stood and worshiped, each at the entrance to his tent. The Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks with his friend. Then Moses would return to the camp, but his young aide Joshua son of Nun did not leave the tent. -- Exodus 33:9-11

Hear-Say

Day 129
Like apples of gold in settings of silver -- these are the words I want to speak through you. I have many beautiful things to say to my children, those who will quiet their minds and humble their hearts to listen to Me.

Be a mouthpiece for Me. I want to speak words that will put courage into the timid ones. I want to speak words of comfort and soothing to those who are ovecome by sadness. I want to sing a song of joy to fill the heart of the person who is depressed. I want to whisper a word of profound wisdom to the one who is confused, a piece of brilliant insight to the one who lacks direction. I want to minister words of healing, flowing like water, into the innermost being of those who are being physically and emotionally oppressed. I want to teach stewardship, generosity and divine investment strategies to those who are struggling financially.


Will you be my mouthpiece for these things? All right. Then get into my word, come into my presence, and get your ears on . . .

A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver. -- Proverbs 25:11 [NIV]

Like apples of gold in settings of silver Is a word spoken in right circumstances. [NASB]

A word fitly spoken and in due season is like apples of gold in settings of silver. [AMP]

Timely advice is lovely, like golden apples in a silver basket. [NLT]

The right word at the right time is like a custom-made piece of jewelry. [MSG]

He sent His word and healed them, And delivered them from their destructions. -- Psalm 107:20

When evening came, they brought to Him many who were under the power of demons, and He drove out the spirits with a word and restored to health all who were sick. -- Matthew 8:16 [AMP]

Parts is Parts

Day 128
Why do people just want little pieces of Me? They pick and choose the things about Me they think they want. Every one wants what every one wants. People will do exactly what they want to do. If they want to go after the riches of this world, they will. If they want to know Me, they will. If they want parts of Me, that's what they will get -- parts. This is why my church is fragmented. They all prefer different parts of Me.

Does it seem like your life is fragmented? Is there confusion? Look to Me. Lay everything else aside, and look only to me. Can you do this? Are you open to receive all I have to give and to do in your life? Or do you just want pieces? You want Me to replace the parts of this world that you're not happy with, but to hold onto the parts you like.

All I am is available to you. All of Me is what you need, but you are resisting Me in some ways. Check the first commandment again. More than a command, it's a promise to you. What you embrace will rule your life.

For they mouth empty, boastful words and, by appealing to the lustful desires of sinful human nature, they entice people who are just escaping from those who live in error. They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves of depravity--for a man is a slave to whatever has mastered him. If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and overcome, they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning. -- 2 Peter 2:18-20

I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. You shall have no other gods before me. -- Exodus 20:2-4

You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. -- Revelation 3:17-22

Higher

Day 127

Keep following Me. Keep coming up higher. Why do you think I would just leave you sitting somewhere, overwhelmed by all your troubles? Get up! Get up and start walking again. My hand is reaching out to you. Take it! Be lifted up! Don't wallow. Don't gripe and murmur and mumble. Don't despair. Do not doubt Me! It is your doubt, and only your doubt, that limits Me.

Lift up your head. Look up. Take my hand. Take both of my hands. Look into my eyes. See me smile. I'm waiting to embrace you. Let Me pull you close and enfold you completely in my arms. Will you let Me take you? Come up.
Here we go . . . !

Lord, how they are increased who trouble me! Many are they who rise up against me. Many are saying of me, "There is no help for him in God." But You, O Lord, are a shield for me, my glory, and the lifter of my head. -- Psalm 3:1-3

From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. -- Psalm 61:2

After this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in heaven. And the voice I had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, "Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this." -- Revelation 4:1

My heart is steadfast, O God; I will sing and make music with all my soul. Awake, harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn. I will praise you, O Lord, among the nations; I will sing of you among the peoples. For great is your love, higher than the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies. Be exalted, O God, above the heavens, and let your glory be over all the earth. Save us and help us with your right hand, that those you love may be delivered. Give us aid against the enemy, for the help of man is worthless. With God we will gain the victory, and he will trample down our enemies. -- Psalm 108:1-6, 13

Are You Open?

Mountain Lake, Colorado
by Josh Tracy

Day 126
Let Me overwhelm you for deliverance. Let Me overwhelm you for healing. Let Me overwhelm you for instruction. Let Me overwhelm you for vision. Let Me overwhelm you for future. Open wide the door of your being to Me. Give Me greater entrance.

I have created you. I have given you gifts. I have set you in a safe place, your feet upon the Rock. I have turned your face to the right direction.

You must now allow me to overwhelm you and fill you so that all the right movement can occur, so that you can do the works you see Me doing, on earth as it is in heaven.

As you yield, every day, saying yes to Me, without conditions, without reservation, without placing your own limits upon Me, my life will saturate you. You will be moved to follow Me exclusively. We will do mighty things together, you and I.

I am overwhelmed with joy in the Lord my God! For he has dressed me with the clothing of salvation and draped me in a robe of righteousness. I am like a bridegroom in his wedding suit or a bride with her jewels. -- Isaiah 61:10 [NLT]

Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears and listens to and heeds My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will eat with him, and he [will eat] with Me. -- Revelation 3:20 [AMP]

Because the Sovereign Lord helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore, I have set my face like a stone, determined to do his will. And I know that I will not be put to shame. -- Isaiah 50:7 [NLT]

And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits. -- Daniel 11:32 [KJV]


The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it. The world and all its people belong to him. For he laid the earth’s foundation on the seas and built it on the ocean depths. Who may climb the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place? Only those whose hands and hearts are pure, who do not worship idols and never tell lies. They will receive the Lord’s blessing and have a right relationship with God their savior. Such people may seek you and worship in your presence, O God of Jacob.

Open up, ancient gates! Open up, ancient doors, and let the King of glory enter. Who is the King of glory? The Lord, strong and mighty; the Lord, invincible in battle. Open up, ancient gates! Open up, ancient doors, and let the King of glory enter. Who is the King of glory? The Lord of Heaven’s Armies— he is the King of glory. -- Psalm 24 [NLT]

Be Unshackled

Day 125

I am always doing something new. Each day is pregnant with possibiliy for those who will put their trust in Me. As much as you hang onto the old things of your life and partial understanding of Me, this is how much you will limit what I am able to do in you today.

I will work where there is faith. You have heard me say this repeatedly. I will say it again . . . Faith only comes through knowing Me -- experiencing me -- allowing Me to reveal Myself to you more. People trust who they know. Do you know Me? How well? Better than anything else?

If you keep trying to force Me to fit into the understanding of your finite mind, you are putting limits on Me, and your life will be characterized by those limitations. If you want to free yourself from these (your own) shackles, ask my Holy Spirit to lift the veil from your eyes. Ask Him to lead you into all truth. Read my word. And as you meditate on it, trust Me to peel away one more layer of finite human reasoning, and reveal to you innermost being the new layer of truth I want you to perceive for today.

Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland. -- Isa 43:18,19

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! – 2 Corinthians 5:17

So let us know, let us press on to know the Lord. His going forth is as certain as the dawn; and He will come to us like the rain, like the spring rain watering the earth. -- Hosea 6:3

But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you. – John 16:13-14

No Condemnation

Day 124
Do not receive condemnation, but respond to conviction. Condemnation comes from the enemy of your soul, who wishes to dominate and imprison you. His primal aim is to keep you away from Me. Conviction comes from the Lover of your soul, who desires to surround you with songs of deliverance and set you free. My primary aim is to draw you completely to Myself, the Giver of life, the Source of all energy, the Heart of love, the Wellspring of joy, the Bedrock of peace, the Cradle of creativity, the Birthplace of freedom to be all I have designed you to be.


Condemnation speaks a lie. It says, "No! You are unacceptable and you cannot come to God. You will never make it!" Conviction speaks the truth. It says, "Yes! You have fallen short, and I am here to lift you up -- back to the place above where you fell from -- here, in My heart." I want to take you from what made you fall, and I want to rescue you from everything that will harm you. Acknowledge that you have fallen, and can never get here by yourself. Then climb into my arms. I'm waiting to bring you back again.

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. -- 1 John 1:7-9

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not live according to the sinful nature, but according to the Spirit. -- Romans 8:1

[Writer's note: Thank you, Pastor Curt, for making clearer to us again the difference between condemnation and conviction.]

Man of Sorrows

Day 123
No one has known grief as deeply as I have known grief. Man of Sorrows - one of My Names as I walked the earth. What sin does to the people I love and have created has devastated Me. I have felt the deepest depths of sorrow. To see what I love the most, being tortured and destroyed by sin, is the very worst thing.

The saddest part is that it never had to be. I explained it all before it ever happened: Completely trust the One who created you. Listen to Him and do everything He says. Then all things will be well; no, not just "well," but perfect and abundant -- beyond anything you could imagine.

But you said, "No." You decided not to listen, and to make your own way. You plunged yourself into evil, which is the absence of My Presence. I cannot be Lord where you have made something else your Lord. So I sent My Son, who died in your place and took all of your sin back on himself, and overcame it! If you receive it, the blood of Jesus will bring you back to Me.

He was despised and rejected and forsaken by men, a Man of sorrows and pains, and acquainted with grief and sickness; and like One from Whom men hide their faces He was despised, and we did not appreciate His worth or have any esteem for Him. Surely He has borne our griefs (sicknesses, weaknesses, and distresses) and carried our sorrows and pains [of punishment], yet we [ignorantly] considered Him stricken, smitten, and afflicted by God [as if with leprosy].

But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our guilt and iniquities; the chastisement [needful to obtain] peace and well-being for us was upon Him, and with the stripes [that wounded] Him we are healed and made whole.

All we like sheep have gone astray, we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord has made to light upon Him the guilt and iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, [yet when] He was afflicted, He was submissive and opened not His mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so He opened not His mouth. By oppression and judgment He was taken away; and as for His generation, who among them considered that He was cut off out of the land of the living [stricken to His death] for the transgression of my [Isaiah’s] people, to whom the stroke was due?

And they assigned Him a grave with the wicked, and with a rich man in His death, although He had done no violence, neither was any deceit in His mouth. Yet it was the will of the Lord to bruise Him; He has put Him to grief and made Him sick.

When You and He make His life an offering for sin [and He has risen from the dead, in time to come], He shall see His [spiritual] offspring, He shall prolong His days, and the will and pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in His hand. He shall see [the fruit] of the travail of His soul and be satisfied; by His knowledge of Himself [which He possesses and imparts to others] shall My [uncompromisingly] righteous One, My Servant, justify many and make many righteous (upright and in right standing with God), for He shall bear their iniquities and their guilt [with the consequences, says the Lord].

Therefore will I divide Him a portion with the great [kings and rulers], and He shall divide the spoil with the mighty, because He poured out His life unto death, and [He let Himself] be regarded as a criminal and be numbered with the transgressors; yet He bore [and took away] the sin of many and made intercession for the transgressors (the rebellious). -- Isaiah 53:3-12 [AMP]

Are There Dark Places?

In Cordoba, Spain
by Josh Tracy

Day 122
Allow Me to infiltrate all the deep places. There are nooks and crannies, cracks and crevices, hidden rooms and passageways in your heart you have not yet allowed Me to enter. I know all about them. In fact, I know about them and see them better than you do. In truth, some of these places you are not consciously aware of at all. But I know them and I see everything.

Yet I am no intruder. I operate only where I am invited. You can be sure of this: Though I long to bring light, to cleanse and purify you of all the dark and filthy things, I wait for you to ask Me in. I long to replace all of it with fresh, pure streams of living water. There is so much you do not know. Know this: You can trust Me completely. I am Savior, Healer, Deliverer, and I will make you whole. Just ask me about it. Come and believe. Ask and receive.

The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? -- Jeremiah 17:9

But I, God, search the heart and examine the mind. I get to the heart of the human. I get to the root of things. I treat them as they really are, not as they pretend to be. -- Jeremiah 17:10 [The Message]

Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. -- Revelation 3:20


But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. -- Isaiah 53:5

The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion-- to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor. -- Isaiah 61:1-3

Heart of the Matter

Day 121
It's time to get down to the heart of the matter. What is at the core of your heart? What is motivating you -- the bottom line compulsion for everything you say and do and the way you order your life?

Is it self-preservation? Trying to keep from being hurt? Trying to get approval from people? Trying in any way -- every way -- to keep yourself young, or healthy, or well-liked, or strong, or on the cutting edge of something?

If these are goals that fuel your decisions and your behavior, you are wasting time and energy. Your flesh is decaying, and everything in this world is fading away. If you wish to save your life, you're going to have to lose it!

The love of God is the real heart of all that matters. Let my love infuse your heart and replace every self-centered thing in it. Let Me into the core. I will ream out the corrosion, the impurities and the chaotic mess. I will fill you with my love, and you will be purely motivated and empowered to live life to the full.

For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. -- Luke 9:24

For this world in its present form is passing away. --
1 Corinthians 7:31b

On the last day, the climax of the festival, Jesus stood and shouted to the crowds, “Anyone who is thirsty may come to me! Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.’” -- John 7:37-38

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. -- John 10:10

Desperate

Big Blue Marble - NASA

Day 120
Your need for Me is desperate. You are located in a world largely controlled by the evil one. Evil is all around you. Many times, my people do not even recognize it. The lies of the enemy can be so clever and insidious that even the children of the Most High God are duped by them.

Do not be wise in your own eyes. Never think that you can't be deceived. Humble yourself before Me, and spend more time in my Presence, more time in my word. Devise more ways of surrounding yourself and filling yourself with my Truth. Memorize and meditate on my word more. Speak and sing to Me, to yourself, to each other, in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs. Keep building yourself up on your most holy faith.

Your need for Me is desperate.

Hurricane Fran - NASA

We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one. -- 1 John 5:19

Yes, and everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. But evil people and impostors will flourish. They will deceive others and will themselves be deceived. -- 2 Timothy 3:12-13

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. -- Proverbs 3:5-7

Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord. -- Ephesians 5:19

But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit. -- Jude 20

Refuge

Eagle's Nest -- NASA

Day 119
Come and get under my wing. Say close. Let Me hold you close. Why do you run around like a chicken with your head cut off? Here and there, running, running, back and forth, up and down, in and out, trying to keep it all together, trying to make it all happen... You're driving yourself crazy. Stop. come and get under my wing. Rest. Pour your heart out to Me. Let Me get in there and put it back together. Let me clear it out, and let Me fill it up. You've barely begun to receive all I want to give you.

Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him. For he will rescue you from every trap and protect you from deadly disease. He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection. -- Psalm 91:1-4 [NLT]

Jerusalem, Jerusalem, killer of prophets, abuser of the messengers of God! How often I've longed to gather your children, gather your children like a hen, her brood safe under her wings— but you refused and turned away! -- Luke 13:34

You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span of my years is as nothing before you. Each man's life is but a breath. Man is a mere phantom as he goes to and fro: He bustles about, but only in vain; he heaps up wealth, not knowing who will get it. But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in you. -- Psalm 39:5-7

O my people, trust in him at all times. Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge. -- Psalm 62:8

You have bedded me down in lush meadows, you find me quiet pools to drink from. True to your word, you let me catch my breath and send me in the right direction. You serve me a six-course dinner right in front of my enemies. You revive my drooping head; my cup brims with blessing. Your beauty and love chase after me every day of my life. I'm back home in the house of God for the rest of my life. Psalm 23:2, 3, 5, 6 [The Message]