TLIC Psalms. September 7. He Appears in His Glory.

Read Psalm 102:12-17. ¹²But you, O Lord, are enthroned forever; you are remembered throughout all generations. ¹³You will arise and have pity on Zion; it is the time to favor her; the appointed time has come. ¹⁴For your servants hold her stones dear and have pity on her dust. ¹⁵Nations will fear the name of the Lord, and all the kings of the earth will fear your glory. ¹⁶For the Lord builds up Zion; he appears in his glory; ¹⁷he regards the prayer of the destitute and does not despise their prayer.

The psalmist makes the transition from obsession with his days (see yesterday’s devotion) to the DAY, the day of the Lord’s appearing in glory. This is a mind renewing transition that each of us must make over and over again, daily, if we are to live beyond the unknown of our suffering and embrace the known of his salvation.

Christian, the fullness of time is approaching, just as it did 2000 years ago with the first advent of Christ, so too he will arrive bringing with him pity for Zion. Spiritual Zion. His people. His church. All who are in Christ.

For today can you let go of your stones and your dust (v. 14)? Your fixation on past glories and past failures. Can you trust that even now, this very day, Jesus is building up Zion, the New Jerusalem, which will come to Earth and open wide its gates of grace and mercy to you and all who love the Lord?

To live is Christ is to wait for the glorious appearing of Christ. God in our midst. Hope for the destitute. This hope in THE DAY, and nothing else, is what will get you through another day.

Prayer. Jesus, I long for your arrival when you will restore all things to where they are intended to be, including my own heart. May your appearing be my prayer and my promise. Amen.