My Rock; My Refuge

A Year of Daily Devotions in the Psalms (US title: The Songs of Jesus)

Timothy Keller

• Publisher: Hodder Faith
• Year: 2015
• Print ISBN:
  9781473614253
• eBook ISBN:
  9781473614246
• Topic: Theology & Religion
• Subtopic: Christianity

New York pastor Timothy Keller is known for his ability to connect a deep understanding of the Bible with contemporary thought and the practical issues we all face in our lives. My Rock; My Refuge - his first devotional, consisting of all new material - offers inspiration for every day of the year, based on the book of Psalms. Here Keller helps readers apply the principles he laid out in his book Prayer: Experiencing Awe and Intimacy with God. He walks them verse by verse through the entire Psalter, the one biblical book designed to teach us how to pray, how to spiritually handle every possible life situation, and how to actually know God.This title is published in the US as The Songs of Jesus.

December 1

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READ Psalm 129. 1 “They have greatly oppressed me from my youth,” let Israel say; 2 “they have greatly oppressed me from my youth, but they have not gained the victory over me. 3 Plowmen have plowed my back and made their furrows long. 4 But the LORD is righteous; he has cut me free from the cords of the wicked.” 5 May all who hate Zion be turned back in shame. 6 May they be like grass on the roof, which withers before it can grow; 7 a reaper cannot fill his hands with it, nor one who gathers fill his arms. 8 May those who pass by not say to them, “The blessing of the LORD be on you; we bless you in the name of the LORD.”

OPPRESSION. The psalmist talks about slaves with backs scarred by whips (verse 3) who are liberated by God (verse 4). God “works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed” (Psalm 103:6) and hates world rulers who are tyrants (Luke 22:25–27), so their power is always temporary (verse 5). We should therefore be working for social justice in the world. But Christians can read this at another level. There was one who voluntarily gave his back to the smiters (Isaiah 50:6), by whose wounds and stripes we are healed (Isaiah 53:5). When we meet people who oppose the gospel (“hate Zion,” verse 5), we should follow Jesus by defeating evil through forgiveness and love (Romans 12:14–21; 1 Peter 2:22–24) and calling them to repent (Ezekiel 18:30–32).

Prayer: Lord, they came with “swords and clubs” (Matthew 26:47) and flogged you. “With clubs and staves they sought you, like a thief, you who are the Way, the true relief; Most true to those, who are your greatest grief.” ¹³⁷ Thank you for being true to me in that hour and healing me with your stripes. Amen.

December 2

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READ Psalm 130. 1 Out of the depths I cry to you, LORD; 2 Lord, hear my voice. Let your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy. 3 If you, LORD, kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand? 4 But with you there is forgiveness, so that we can, with reverence, serve you. 5 I wait for the LORD, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope. 6 I wait for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchmen wait for the morning. 7 Israel, put your hope in the LORD, for with the LORD is unfailing love and with him is full redemption. 8 He himself will redeem Israel from all their sins.

FORGIVENESS. What do we owe a God who gives us all we have and keeps us alive every second? We ought to love him and serve him without rival. But no one does this, so no one can “stand” on Judgment Day based on their record (verse 3; cf. Romans 3:10). Waiting for God’s mercy may seem hopeless, like a sleepless person longing for morning, which never seems to come (verse 6). But here’s the Gospel: “He himself will redeem Israel from all their sins” (verse 8). Jesus is God himself, dying to save his people from their sins. God’s forgiveness and mercy generates a joyful fear and wonder that empowers our lives (verse 4). Morning has broken!

Prayer: Lord, I thank you for the joy of forgiveness. I remember the surprise of it. My guilt was like low-level chronic pain. When it was removed, I realized it had drained my life of joy and confidence. Let me remember my forgiveness so that I have a light heart that is quick to enjoy life and other people. Amen.

December 3

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READ Psalm 131. 1 My heart is not proud, LORD, my eyes are not haughty; I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me. 2 But I have calmed and quieted myself; I am like a weaned child with its mother, like a weaned child I am content. 3 Israel, put your hope in the LORD both now and forevermore.

CONTENTMENT. There can be an inordinate desire for greatness and accomplishment (verse 1). “Should you then seek great things for yourself? Do not seek them” (Jeremiah 45:5). This self-seeking creates great restlessness and discontent—but the psalmist has left all that behind. A nursing child, held by its mother, is highly aware of the milk she can offer and will squirm and cry if denied. A child who has been “weaned” (verse 2), however, and no longer nurses, is content just to be with its mother, enjoying her closeness and love without wanting anything else. We so often approach God only for what he can give, rather than simply to rest in his presence. Do that now, through the Word and prayer, in Jesus’s name.

Prayer: Lord, you tell me to bring you my needs. But help me also to rest in your presence, joyfully content to just be with you. Sometimes give me that level of nearness and love. I need it so much. Amen.

December 4

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READ Psalm 132:1–10. 1 LORD, remember David and all his self-denial. 2 He swore an oath to the LORD, he made a vow to the Mighty One of Jacob: 3 “I will not enter my house or go to my bed, 4 I will allow no sleep to my eyes or slumber to my eyelids, 5 till I find a place for the LORD, a dwelling for the Mighty One of Jacob.” 6 We heard it in Ephrathah, we came upon it in the fields of Jaar: 7 “Let us go to his dwelling place; let us worship at his footstool, saying, 8 ‘Arise, LORD, and come to your resting place, you and the ark of your might. 9 May your priests be clothed with righteousness; may your faithful people sing for joy.’” 10 For the sake of your servant David, do not reject your anointed one.

NEARNESS. David promised to bring the Ark of the Covenant (God’s “footstool,” verse 7; cf. 1 Chronicles 28:2) to Jerusalem and to build God a dwelling (verse 7; cf. 2 Samuel 7:1–17). This was not just a political move. In verse 5 David remembers the Lord as the God “of Jacob,” who wrestled with the patriarch but gave him the deep blessing he had looked for all his life (Genesis 32:29). David wants God near, at whatever cost, in order to know God’s blessing in his heart. And the text tells us it cost David much “suffering” to establish God’s house in Jerusalem (verse 1). We too should pay any price to get near God, remembering the one who took a vow like David’s and bore the infinite cost to come near to us (Hebrews 10:5–10).

Prayer: Lord, in ancient times people had to journey to Jerusalem to know your presence in the temple. I praise you that today, through Jesus, we can draw near to you anytime and anyplace. I confess that I neglect this gift, bought at infinite price. Help me draw near to you, Lord, and then please draw near to me. Amen.

December 5

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READ Psalm 132:11–18. 11 The LORD swore an oath to David, a sure oath that he will not revoke: “One of your own descendants I will place on your throne— 12 if your sons keep my covenant and the statutes I teach them, then their sons will sit on your throne for ever and ever.” 13 For the LORD has chosen Zion, he has desired it for his dwelling, saying, 14 “This is my resting place for ever and ever; here I will sit enthroned, for I have desired it. 15 I will bless her with abundant provisions; her poor will I satisfy with food. 16 I will clothe her priests with salvation, and her faithful people will ever sing for joy. 17 “Here I will make a horn grow for David and set up a lamp for my anointed one. 18 I will clothe his enemies with shame, but the crown on his head will be adorned with a radiant crown.”

ASSURANCE. The emphasis of this psalm is on God’s oath, which he cannot fail to keep. God promised that a descendant of David would bring God’s presence into the world in a way David could hardly ever imagine (verse 11; cf. 2 Samuel 7:11–16). Jesus, the greater David, has indeed come, and he has brought the presence of God into our lives—making us the dwelling place (1 Peter 2:4–10). We are his dwelling place not because we have worked and earned it but because we were chosen by grace (verse 13). You will get no comfort from your salvation if you are not sure you have it. God’s promise assures us that he will never leave us.

Prayer: Lord, “the soul who on Jesus does lean for repose, you will not—you will not—desert to its foes. That soul though all hell should endeavor to...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Contents
• About the Author
• Title Page
• Dedication
• Introduction
• The Plan of This Book
• January
• February
• March
• April
• May
• June
• July
• August
• September
• October
• November
• December
• Acknowledgments
• Notes
• Copyright
• Also by Timothy Keller