April 30th
Today’s reading comes from Psalms 102 through 104. I’ll be honest—it’s been a few weeks since my last entry (even though it looks like only one day has past from the 29th to the 30th). Because I’ve struggled with finding a devotional insight for this reading, I haven’t been as disciplined in my Bible reading. That’s why this morning I’m especially grateful for the group of men I meet with on Saturday mornings. I’ve asked them to pray for me and hold me accountable in this area. I often remind people—and need to remind myself—that alongside God’s Word and the Holy Spirit, one of the most overlooked helpful tools God gives us is the gift of community; the “one another-ness” that comes through loving accountability.
Now that I got my jumpstart, I’ll be focusing most of my reflection on Psalm 102. There are seasons in life when we become deeply aware of our own mortality—when we realize that our energy, health, and strength are temporary. If you are younger and not tracking with this, just you wait it’ll happen inevitably. Youth and vitality is like trying to hold water in our hands—it slips through no matter how tightly we grasp.
But in spite of this inevitable truth a turning point for the psalmist comes in verse 12, with a simple word: “But.” That small word signals a shift. The psalmist turns his focus from his human frailty to God’s eternal nature: “But you, O Lord, are enthroned forever.” In that moment, the perspective changes. The prayer is no longer centered on despair, but on the God who never changes.
That shift leads to realigned priorities. In verse 17, we read that God “regards the prayer of the destitute and does not despise their prayer.” The psalmist is comforted not only by God's permanence but also by His attentiveness to the broken. Then, with future generations in mind, the psalmist pleads (just like I am the young whipper-snappers reading this) for the story of God’s faithfulness to be preserved so that “a people yet to be created may praise the Lord.”
Psalm 102 challenges us to think beyond ourselves—to ask, What are we leaving behind for those who come after us? Will they know of God’s worthiness, His sovereignty, and His compassion because of how we lived and what we passed on?
Psalm 103 builds on this. It reminds us that though God disciplines His people, He doesn’t remain angry forever. He is slow to anger and abounding in love. Notice who experiences this tenderness: “Those who fear Him” (Psalm 103:11, 13); that is those who stand in awe of Him, who live in reverent submission, are the ones who will know His mercy.
Takeaway: Together, these psalms call us to recalibrate our hearts. Yes, life is short and unpredictable—but God is unchanging, attentive, and full of grace. He is worthy of our worship not just in our lifetime, but through the generations we touch by faith.