Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name.
Train me, God, to walk straight; then I’ll follow your path. Put me together, one heart and one mind; then, undivided, I’ll worship you in joyful fear.
I’ve always wanted to do things “right.” It gets very confusing, and I end up accusing myself whenever there’s a problem. In my mind, if a problem develops, I did something wrong. So I have to be careful with this verse. God’s truth is not about finding the right plumber or buying the right crock pot. It’s not even about marrying the right spouse or choosing the right depression treatment. God’s truth, highlighted by his mercy and grace and steadfast love (vs.15), keeps my heart and mind together so that I can confidently make life’s decisions and face whatever the consequences without second guessing and accusing.
Lord, when I follow your way I don’t have to worry and second guess my every decision. Keep my heart and mind on what is without fail: your truth. Amen.
Monday, April 30, 2012
Saturday, April 28, 2012
Psalm 85:8
Let me hear what God the Lord will speak, for he will speak peace to his people, to his saints, to those who turn to him in their hearts.
I can’t wait to hear what he’ll say. God’s about to pronounce his people well, The holy people he loves so much, so they’ll never again live like fools.
Depression has taught me many lessons about myself. I am a woman created by God. I have gifts and talents to use to God’s glory. I also have 24 hours each day to divide between relationships, work, play, and rest. For me, that rest must include time in solitude as well as a good night’s sleep. When I habitually rob myself of play and rest, I am living like a fool. I am acting for my glory, not God’s. So here I am learning this lesson again. God’s voice speaks to me of peace and wellness. The road to peace and wellness is in God’s call, including the call to rest.
Lord, I am glorifying myself when I work without play and rest. Remind me to honor my body, your creation, with solitude and rest. Amen.
I can’t wait to hear what he’ll say. God’s about to pronounce his people well, The holy people he loves so much, so they’ll never again live like fools.
Depression has taught me many lessons about myself. I am a woman created by God. I have gifts and talents to use to God’s glory. I also have 24 hours each day to divide between relationships, work, play, and rest. For me, that rest must include time in solitude as well as a good night’s sleep. When I habitually rob myself of play and rest, I am living like a fool. I am acting for my glory, not God’s. So here I am learning this lesson again. God’s voice speaks to me of peace and wellness. The road to peace and wellness is in God’s call, including the call to rest.
Lord, I am glorifying myself when I work without play and rest. Remind me to honor my body, your creation, with solitude and rest. Amen.
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Psalm 84:5
Blessed are the men whose strength is in you, in whose heart are the highways to Zion.
And how blessed all those in whom you live, whose lives become roads you travel;
This psalm is about the journey to the temple in Jerusalem. In Biblical times, making the pilgrimage to the temple was a difficult journey, but the anticipation and joy of worshiping there made it all worthwhile. I don’t think about worship very often. My daily prayers are a tug-of-war with God. I plea that MY will be done, or for the grace to sincerely pray THY will be done. Worship is where that tug-of-war pulls me in to acknowledge that God is God, even when I’m unable to participate fully. In worship there is only God’s will. In worship I am on the journey to strength and peace and joy.
Lord, save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil, for the kingdom and the power and the glory are yours, forever and forever. Amen.
And how blessed all those in whom you live, whose lives become roads you travel;
This psalm is about the journey to the temple in Jerusalem. In Biblical times, making the pilgrimage to the temple was a difficult journey, but the anticipation and joy of worshiping there made it all worthwhile. I don’t think about worship very often. My daily prayers are a tug-of-war with God. I plea that MY will be done, or for the grace to sincerely pray THY will be done. Worship is where that tug-of-war pulls me in to acknowledge that God is God, even when I’m unable to participate fully. In worship there is only God’s will. In worship I am on the journey to strength and peace and joy.
Lord, save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil, for the kingdom and the power and the glory are yours, forever and forever. Amen.
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Psalm 83:18
Let them know that you alone, whose name is the Lord, are the most high over all the earth.
Then they’ll learn thy name: “God,” the one and only High God on earth.
God is the most high over depression and all diseases. Just acknowledging that is a triumph over depression. But there’s something else gnawing at me. This verse makes me think about how I need my actions to prove my worth, just as this verse tries to entice God to prove his. This would work if I were always successful. Failure not only leaves me feeling unworthy, but it also negates my success. Take it one step further when I consider that the diagnosis of depression makes me think I’m a failure, a thought I must argue everyday. My worth is not in my health or success. My worth is in being a child of the Lord most high over all the earth.
Lord, let this depression know that thou alone, whose name is the Lord, are the most high over all the earth. Amen.
Then they’ll learn thy name: “God,” the one and only High God on earth.
God is the most high over depression and all diseases. Just acknowledging that is a triumph over depression. But there’s something else gnawing at me. This verse makes me think about how I need my actions to prove my worth, just as this verse tries to entice God to prove his. This would work if I were always successful. Failure not only leaves me feeling unworthy, but it also negates my success. Take it one step further when I consider that the diagnosis of depression makes me think I’m a failure, a thought I must argue everyday. My worth is not in my health or success. My worth is in being a child of the Lord most high over all the earth.
Lord, let this depression know that thou alone, whose name is the Lord, are the most high over all the earth. Amen.
Sunday, April 22, 2012
Psalm 80:18
Then we will never turn back from you; give us life and we will call on your name!
We will never turn our back on you; breathe life into our lungs so we can shout your name!
The psalmist is not above bargaining. God wants me to glorify and praise him and this psalm reminds him that while I’m not up to it right now, I certainly would be if God gave me what I asked. Again I’m reminded that no holds are barred in my conversation with God. I’m also reminded that life is from God and I am meant to give him the credit. Lastly, this verse reminds me of the childlike trust God expects from me. Here I am bargaining like a child begging a parent for a puppy and promising I’ll never ask for anything again. Dwell on this: you are healing. You will feel God’s breath in your lungs and shout God’s name.
Lord, we have a bargain. By your grace I will be healed, and I will praise you for it. Amen.
We will never turn our back on you; breathe life into our lungs so we can shout your name!
The psalmist is not above bargaining. God wants me to glorify and praise him and this psalm reminds him that while I’m not up to it right now, I certainly would be if God gave me what I asked. Again I’m reminded that no holds are barred in my conversation with God. I’m also reminded that life is from God and I am meant to give him the credit. Lastly, this verse reminds me of the childlike trust God expects from me. Here I am bargaining like a child begging a parent for a puppy and promising I’ll never ask for anything again. Dwell on this: you are healing. You will feel God’s breath in your lungs and shout God’s name.
Lord, we have a bargain. By your grace I will be healed, and I will praise you for it. Amen.
Saturday, April 21, 2012
Psalm 82:8
Arise, O God, judge the earth; for to you belong all the nations!
O God, give them their just deserts! You’ve got the whole world in your hands!
This psalm is a litany of the Lord’s judgment on pagan gods. It’s interesting to me that the assumption isn’t that there are no other gods, but that our God is superior to them. This is important because I could miss the whole point if I thought this only applied to the days of Canaanite gods. I’ve been surprised to learn that I have lots of other gods in my life. Not only the typical gods of financial security and success, but the gods of arrogance and the hunger for glory. Those gods are worshiped through self-doubt and insecurity. How can I discern God’s will when I’m worshiping those gods? This is God’s world, not mine. Any good that I do in this world is to God’s glory, not mine.
Lord, you are the one true God. I shall have no other gods before you. Guide me to your will. Amen.
O God, give them their just deserts! You’ve got the whole world in your hands!
This psalm is a litany of the Lord’s judgment on pagan gods. It’s interesting to me that the assumption isn’t that there are no other gods, but that our God is superior to them. This is important because I could miss the whole point if I thought this only applied to the days of Canaanite gods. I’ve been surprised to learn that I have lots of other gods in my life. Not only the typical gods of financial security and success, but the gods of arrogance and the hunger for glory. Those gods are worshiped through self-doubt and insecurity. How can I discern God’s will when I’m worshiping those gods? This is God’s world, not mine. Any good that I do in this world is to God’s glory, not mine.
Lord, you are the one true God. I shall have no other gods before you. Guide me to your will. Amen.
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Psalm 81:5b
I hear a voice I had not known:
I hear this most gentle whisper from One I never guessed would speak to me:
I have a book about discernment. The book was disappointing for me, because I want discernment to be a burning bush telling me to go to Egypt: direct, unmistakable, and to the point. Discernment is complicated for me because I think I’m called to do everything. I’ve always thought God had called me to work, take care of my family, volunteer, learn, solve all problems, and cure all diseases. I was listening to my bloated self-expectations as if they were calls from God. I took on too much and it all came crashing down with the depression. It’s time to sift through my talents, interests, and joys to discern God’s gentle whisper.
Lord, teach me to hear your call. Let me use this illness as the opportunity to tune in to your will for me. Amen.
I hear this most gentle whisper from One I never guessed would speak to me:
I have a book about discernment. The book was disappointing for me, because I want discernment to be a burning bush telling me to go to Egypt: direct, unmistakable, and to the point. Discernment is complicated for me because I think I’m called to do everything. I’ve always thought God had called me to work, take care of my family, volunteer, learn, solve all problems, and cure all diseases. I was listening to my bloated self-expectations as if they were calls from God. I took on too much and it all came crashing down with the depression. It’s time to sift through my talents, interests, and joys to discern God’s gentle whisper.
Lord, teach me to hear your call. Let me use this illness as the opportunity to tune in to your will for me. Amen.
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