Psalm 116 NIV
1 I love the LORD, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy.
2 Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live.
3 The cords of death entangled me, the anguish of the grave came over me; I was overcome by distress and sorrow.
4 Then I called on the name of the LORD: “LORD, save me!”
5 The LORD is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion.
6 The LORD protects the unwary; when I was brought low, he saved me.
7 Return to your rest, my soul, for the LORD has been good to you.
8 For you, LORD, have delivered me from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling,
9 that I may walk before the LORD in the land of the living.
10 I trusted in the LORD when I said, “I am greatly afflicted”;
11 in my alarm I said, “Everyone is a liar.”
12 What shall I return to the LORD for all his goodness to me?
13 I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the LORD.
14 I will fulfill my vows to the LORD in the presence of all his people.
15 Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his faithful servants.
16 Truly I am your servant, LORD; I serve you just as my mother did; you have freed me from my chains.
17 I will sacrifice a thank offering to you and call on the name of the LORD.
18 I will fulfill my vows to the LORD in the presence of all his people,
19 in the courts of the house of the LORD– in your midst, Jerusalem. Praise the LORD.
Oh, the love of Jehovah.
He heard me. He paid attention to me. He was moved by my plea.
He stretched himself to reach me.
How can I do anything else with my life but tell of His love, His power, His deliverance – for His glory?
I was dying. I was dead.
I was overcome by sin, and powerless to free myself.
I was physically and emotionally broken.
But then I called out to God. I begged Him to rescue me, to save my life, and to save my soul.
And He did.
Because He is full of mercy and love. He is compassionate and gracious.
He is good, even though I am not.
He rescued me, and He keeps on rescuing me.
He teaches me and grows my understanding of Him, of me, and of the world around me.
Now I can rest in Him.
Now I need not work and labor and be overcome by life.
Now I need not give in to worry and anxiety about the future or the past.
Because He has been good to me. And He continues to be good to me.
He was good when He delivered my soul from death.
He is good when He delivers me from my fears and sorrows.
He is good when He keeps my feet secure and holds me up when I begin to fall.
And so I can walk freely and confidently as a testimony of His goodness and grace.
I trust in Him, so I can speak with confidence before Him.
I can express myself to Him when I’m fearful, overwhelmed, and discouraged.
I can express myself when it feels like the world is against me.
And He will rescue me again like He has done before.
How can I ever repay such love and kindness?
I will tell of His love and share His mercy with those around me.
I will live to reflect His grace and power.
I will worship Him both in word and deed.
I will show my love by my life surrendered to His glory and will.
May I never grow tired of sharing how God has delivered me from death.
May I never grow tired of sharing with others how they, too, can find life.
May I rest in the confidence that I have been a faithful servant.
May gratitude never leave my heart or my mouth.
May I glorify the Lord as long as I live.
Father, thank you for rescuing me. Let me never forget it or take it for granted. Help me to find confidence to share your rescuing love with those around me. Help me to live for your honor and glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Sixty-six books in a year 