"Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy" Ps 126: 5
I've written here before about a very special baby. We have received some devastating news about his diagnosis and prognosis. We are sowing in tears right now. I am not free to share the names of the baby and my cousins but God knows. And if you would be willing to lift them up in prayer, I would be truly grateful.
My sweet friend, Mary, posted this song on her blog tonight. It so ministered to my broken heart this evening. Maybe it will to yours as well?
Jenny is on a journey of praying her way through the Psalms. I was fortunate enough to join at the start. Each weekend, we pray through one psalm and post our prayer and/or meditations on that psalm as the Lord leads. Check out her journey and join us in Praying the Psalms.
"When I said, “My foot is slipping,” your love, O LORD, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul." Psalm 94: 18-19
This psalm is so full of truth. Choosing a verse or two on which to meditate and pray is difficult. It speaks of God, the avenger of all wrongs. It warns of the coming judgement of the evildoers who seem to be flourishing everywhere. It reminds that God sees, hears, knows all things and is still in control. It exhorts us to see His discipline as blessing. It demonstrates how God is our fortress and rock.
As I read and re-read this psalm, though, the words of verses 18 and 19 continued to jump out at me. Because, these words, I have lived. There are times when my foot is slipping and whatever I do, I cannot seem to regain my footing on my own. It is in those times, when His love has supported me. It is then when I am sure that I am caught in His grace. And when anxiety threatens to overwhelm my peace. When the circumstance of our life seem insurmountable, it is only His consolation given to me through His Word, that brings joy to my soul.
Lord, thank You for Your love that supports me and Your consolation that brings me joy. On this Thanksgiving weekend, I am thankful most for You. I am thankful for the fact that I have been restored to relationship with You. I am redeemed! And to that, You add innumerable blessings. Thank You, Lord! May I retain my gratitude and awe for You during this holiday season. Help us to keep You at the center of all our celebrations!
Jenny is on a journey of praying her way through the Psalms. I was fortunate enough to join at the start. Each weekend, we pray through one psalm and post our prayer and/or meditations on that psalm as the Lord leads. Check out her journey and join us in Praying the Psalms.
"Mightier than the thunder of the great waters, mightier than the breakers of the sea— the LORD on high is mighty." Psalm 93: 4
Mightier also than my wandering heart. And than my weak flesh. And than my broken promises. And than all the ways I fall short. The LORD on high is mighty.
Lord, thank You for this reminder of Who is in control. No matter what the season in my walk with You or in my relationships with loved ones or in the circumstances of life, You are mightier. I pray that You would revive me in my spirit, change me in the areas of my failings and work together for good those life circumstances that look bleak and scary. In Jesus' name, amen.
Jenny is on a journey of praying her way through the Psalms. I was fortunate enough to join at the start. Each weekend, we pray through one psalm and post our prayer and/or meditations on that psalm as the Lord leads. Check out her journey and join us in Praying the Psalms.
"It is good to praise the LORD and make music to your name, O Most High, to proclaim your love in the morning and your faithfulness at night," Psalm 92: 1-2 (emphasis mine)
I'm a slow learner. It is good- for me- to praise the Lord. When too much time goes by, I am lonely and empty. Nothing can give me what only He can- not more "me" time late into the night, not more sleep in the mornings, nothing. So why don't I learn?
Father, forgive me for forsaking our time together. I miss waking up to Your voice. I am dry and empty. And it impacts not only me, but everyone around me. Revive me, by Your Spirit. Give me self-control to get to bed on time and get up on time to meet with You. Thank You for Your grace. In Jesus' name, amen.
Jenny is on a journey of praying her way through the Psalms. I was fortunate enough to join at the start. Each weekend, we pray through one psalm and post our prayer and/or meditations on that psalm as the Lord leads. Check out her journey and join us in Praying the Psalms.
"If you make the Most High your dwelling— even the LORD, who is my refuge— then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent." Psalm 91: 9-10
The only way I can see to make sense of these verses, this psalm, when I see Godly people suffering what appears to be harm, disaster, tragedy is to believe that He will use even these circumstances for good. As it turns out, a baby very dear to us continues to need a healing touch from the Lord. For the past two of his three months of life, he has been in and out of the hospital with frighteningly serious medical issues. My cousins are walking the road marked with suffering again- concern for their little one, being separated from their older two while in the hospital, severe sleep deprivation, pressures from work, and the list goes on. I have two choices: I can look at the situation and call it a disaster and wonder where God is or I can believe He is right there in the midst of it, allowing it and using for some good we cannot yet see. I choose the latter.
Father, we trust You. Amidst the pain and the exhaustion and the fear, we trust You. We put baby J in Your hands. Show Your glory, Your healing, Your power in His life. Strengthen his parents, physically and spiritually. Give us eyes to see and a heart to believe that You are working in this situation. In Jesus' name, amen.
Jenny is on a journey of praying her way through the Psalms. I was fortunate enough to join at the start. Each weekend, we pray through one psalm and post our prayer and/or meditations on that psalm as the Lord leads. Check out her journey and join us in Praying the Psalms.
"Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days." Psalm 90: 14
Many things have been put on pause as we got started on Our Great Homeschool Experiment this fall. Most of these things were necessary and wise. At least one was not. I have neglected my morning Quiet Times in favor of 30 minutes more sleep for about a month now. I know that God is gracious and compassionate and I do not feel guilty. But I do feel lonely. I miss Him and the daily, intimate interaction we enjoyed. I miss the peace I received when I laid my burdens down at His feet each day. So, here I am again...
Lord, thank You for the strength to get up this morning and meet with You. Thank You for Your grace on all those days when I did not. Satisfy me in the morning with Your unfailing love, that I may sing for joy and be glad all my days! In Jesus's name, amen.
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