“Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You. In God I have put my trust; I will not fear. What can flesh do to me?” Psalm 56:3&4 NKJV
“My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and give praise. Awake, my glory!” Psalm 57:5 NKJV
Being a Christian since the age of seven, I find myself skimming over the Psalms at times. Some of the verses are so familiar. Yet, it is where I go when I am calling out to the Lord. When, like David I am in a desperate place. As I read through this time, the words, “I will” stand out to me. David sang praises even when his heart was weary and he didn’t feel like it. He knew that his faith would increase.
I wish I could say that was always my first reaction. But, I have learned that sometimes praise in the midst of pain is a choice. That the very act of praising is a surrender, giving control back over to Jesus. A giving up of trying to figure things out on my own and acknowledging that He will take care of me.
“Now when they had escaped, they found out that the island was called Malta. And the natives showed us unusual kindness; for they kindled a fire and made us all welcome, because of the rain that was falling and because of the cold. But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat, and fastened on his hand…but he shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm. And it happened that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and dysentery, Paul went into him and prayed, and he laid his hands on him and healed him. So when this was done, the rest of those on the island who had diseases also came and were healed.” Acts 28:1-3&5;8&9 NKJV
God was taking care of Paul. After everything that had happened, God still used him in miraculous ways, “he thanked God and took courage.” Acts 28:15 NKJV. It seemed to be just what his soul needed to keep going. Sometimes I forget God’s faithfulness, but than he does something to remind me. Or I look back at all he has done and it gives me just what I need to move forward.
Dear,“God, you did everything You promised, and I’m thanking you with all my heart. You pulled me from the brink of death, my feet from the cliff-edge of doom. Now I stroll at leisure with God in the sunlit fields of life.” (Psalm 56:12-13 Message) Amen.
Amy(amyctanner)
Sixty-six books in a year 