"O God, You are my God;
Early will I seek You;
My soul thirsts for You;
My flesh longs for You
in a dry and thirsty land
where there is no water.
So I have looked for You
in the sanctuary.
To see Your power and Your glory.
Because Your lovingkindness
is better than life,
My lips shall praise You.
Thus I will bless You while I live;
I will lift up my hands in Your Name.
My soul shall be satisfied as
with marrow and fatness,
And my mouth shall praise
You with joyful lips.
When I remember You
on my bed,
I meditate on You in the night watches.
Because You have been my help,
Therefore in the shadow of Your wings
I will rejoice.
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| Photo by my sister Doris Mursch Hutchinson |
My soul follows close behind You;
Your right hand upholds me."
Psalm 63:1-8 NKJV
This morning I awakened with a heaviness in my heart and soul. I did not sleep very well last night...anxiously awaiting news about our son, who is in the hospital far away from us, with complications due to the cancer that has been ravaging his body for the past four years.
But when I sat down with my Bible and my morning devotions one of the passages I read was from Psalm 63...above....and this is what I read from the book, Jesus Calling, by Sarah Young:
"Let me help you through this day.
The challenges you face are far too great for you to handle alone.
You are keenly aware of your helplessness in the scheme of events you face.
This awareness opens up a choice:
to doggedly go it alone or to walk with Me in
humble steps of dependence.
Actually, this choice is continually before you,
but difficulties highlight the decision making process.
So consider it all joy whenever you are enveloped in various trials.
These are gifts from Me, reminding you to rely on ME alone."
(Jesus Calling, page 70, March 7)
This day definitely has had its challenges...and there are no easy, ready answers. But, I have found that Jesus has helped me through this day...He brought people near to pray, to encourage, to love and give me the words of encouragement I needed to hear. The situation itself has not changed...but I believe God is strengthening me to face whatever lies ahead with grace and hope.
"Because Your lovingkindness is better than life,
My lips shall praise You."
Psalm 63:3
Pam, we continue to pray for Matthew. May God be very near to you and the family throughout this whole ordeal. Love you! xoxo Dianna
ReplyDeleteThank you, Dianna. It is such a blessing to my heart to know that God has brought people such as you and many others to be out there on the front lines as prayer warriors on our behalf. What a wonderful thing this is that God has done! Thank you...and thank you, Jesus!
DeleteYou and your son are held in my heart, Pam. These words from Psalm 63 are good. The ones I'm thinking for you come from 86, "guard my life, for I am faithful to you; save your servant who trusts in you. You are my God; have mercy on me, Lord..."
ReplyDeleteSo very interesting that you would quote from Psalm 86 today. That is the Psalm I read this morning in my devotions. Amazing! I love how God reinforces His Word to us in so many ways...even from friends whom I have never met in person across the continent! We are one big family in Christ...and I thank you for being a part of my life.
Delete"In the day of my trouble I will call upon You, for You will answer me!" Psalm 86:7
DeleteAs I read your blog entry, I thought of Psalm 138:8. "The Lord will perfect that which concerns me." These are the words of King David.
ReplyDeleteOh, yes! I love that Psalm too. yes...The Lord WILL perfect that which concerns me...and you and all who call upon His name. Amen! Thank you.
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