A Ray Of Morning Light

I was asking the Lord this morning to help me to love His Word.  I had just awakened and I knew I needed to read my Bible before I started the day, but my heart just wasn't in it. 

I remembered a time several years ago when I read the 119^th Psalm every day for a month.  It was an exercise I chose to do.  I don’t remember the reason, but the outcome was that I literally fell in love with God’s Word.  Just like the Psalmist, I loved God’s word.  It was my life, my passion, my love!

So this morning, I opened to Psalm 119 and started reading.  I won’t say it took my mind off of everything that I wanted to get done today and engulfed me with joy, but it did remind me that I depend on God for everything.  His Word gives strength to my soul.  It keeps me going when otherwise I would dissolve in a puddle of hopelessness.

Thank you God for Your Word.  It really is a light shining in the darkness, a ray of hope, a joy and peace, food for my heart.  Thank YOU!!!

photo credit: Will Montague via photopin cc

This is one of my "life" verses.

I was reading it yesterday morning.

Just wanted to share.

Over the past three years, I have been battling hormonal depression.  It's not been an easy fight and sometimes I don't experience the victory I should as a "Child of the King".  Anyway, yesterday was one of those days.  I woke up and just wanted to pull the covers up over my head and make the morning disappear.  I called out to God who is so very gracious to me, no matter what. I took out my Bible and ask what I should read.  I felt I should read Psalm 146.  Believe me, I didn't want to read a "happy" Psalm, but I went ahead and started to read.  

When I read the first two verses, I was in tears. I said, "Lord, I remember when I was this happy.  I remember when I wanted to sing Your praises every minute I was alive.  Here I am!  I know You deserve all my praise.  I give it to you even though I'm crying.

So I raised the hand that wasn't holding my Bible in an attempt to praise and read.  "I will praise the Lord all my life;  I will sing praise to my God as long as I live..."  I went on and read clear through.  Then, I read it again, & again.  Three times through.

I don't know when it happened, but my soul was quieted.  I wasn't so emotionally overwrought.  I prayed and thanked the Lord for the ability to pray and have Him answer.  I thanked Him for people to pray for and for sending them my way.  I thanked Him for being the only true God, a God worthy of all my praise all of the time. He's so good to me!  I really do trust Him and love Him.

My heavenly Father met me where I was.  It wasn't the first time and I'm sure it may not be the last, but He's so faithful to always be there, to not fuss at me when I "can't make it on my own," and to just love me where I'm at, no cajoling, no making fun, no staring at me with eyes of scorn, but loving me with compassion and mercy. He gives grace to the humble.  He shows lovingkindness to all He has made.  I'm so glad He made me.

Today is another day.  I'm glad He made you, too.  Chin up and have a hug!  God's loving arms are waiting to surround you and set your heart to singing again.  Bless you friend!

Fear --- What? Why?

  The Lord is my light and my salvation —

whom shall I fear?

The Lord is the stronghold of my life—

of whom shall I be afraid?

Psalm 27:1 (NIV)

This verse from the Psalms has always been a favorite of mine.  In fact, this entire Psalm is one that I consider one of my "life's" Psalms.

 

There have been times when I've been afraid, frustrated, down or depressed that this particular verse has come to "rescue" me by helping me re-focus on the One who is my shelter, my protector, the light of my life even in times of darkness inside.

 

I pray: 

"The Lord is my light and my salvation—
whom shall I fear?

I shall fear no one!" (my response, sometimes weak)

"The Lord is the stronghold of my life—

of whom shall I be afraid?

I shall not fear anyone or anything!" (response, growing stronger)

It's good to have the Word of God resident in our souls.  It's encouraging and inspiring.   It rises up to be a shield around us, a staff to lean on, a light at the end of our tunnel-vision.  When the Lord brings it up, it's to encourage us and it invokes a response.  When we speak it aloud, it somehow encourages us even more, like the Bible says "Faith comes by hearing."  Speaking God's word, waters the faith seed planted in our souls.  When we respond to God's word with our own, we are bound to it in such a way that the fruit it produces in our lives grows and grows and can never be destroyed.

Thanks God!