Today’s Tasting: Psalms 17, 35, 54, and 63 (NKJV): David cries out to God for salvation and sings songs of praise to God for His faithfulness. David asks God to protect him from his enemies. “Deliver my life from the wicked with Your sword,” he pleads (Psalm 17:13).
“Let those be put to shame and brought to dishonor
Who seek after my life;
Let those be turned back and brought to confusion
Who plot my hurt.” (Psalm 35:4)
David acknowledges God’s faithfulness to him and says,
“… my tongue shall speak of Your righteousness
And of Your praise all the day long.” (Psalm 35:28)
“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.” (Psalm 63:3–4)
Today’s Nourishment: David writes these Psalms during the time he’s on the run from King Saul, hiding out in the desert. Afraid for his life, David pours out his heart to God. And he doesn’t use nice sanitized language! He asks God to bring destruction and shame to his enemies. He says, “those who seek my life, to destroy it, … shall be a portion for jackals” (Psalm 63:9–10). That’s a very grim picture of the fate David wishes will come upon those who have betrayed him. And he tells God about it! I’m often reminded of David’s honesty before God when I’m in a difficult season in my life—when I’ve suffered a betrayal and my heart is broken. At those times, when it’s hard to pray, I remember that David didn’t wait until he could be calm and polite to talk to God. I tell myself that God already knows what’s in my heart, so I don’t have to pretend with Him. I can bring my anger, and my pain and confusion to Him and, like David, receive soothing for my soul.
If you have trouble praying when you’re hurt, perhaps it’s because subconsciously you believe that God will be offended by prayer that’s full of the gritty details of your situation. I believed that for a long time. But then I realized that God called David a “man after His own heart.” Could it be that God welcomed David’s honesty and his ability to be his authentic self?
Here’s a suggestion for you. Try writing a poem to God, like David did. I have. It’s a great way to tell God how grateful I am for His love, His mercy, and His unfailing faithfulness to me. And when I remind myself of how good He’s been to me, the clouds lift and the pain eases.
Tomorrow’s Delight: I Samuel 28-31, Psalm 18
Joanne Creary
Well Woman Coaching, LLC
www.facebook.com/joannecreary
Joanne, it is so true that reminding ourself of the goodness and faithfulness of God especially in the midst of adversity truly lifts and eases the pain. Because He is good and is faithful and He never changes. I’m thankful I can cry out to My Father and He hears Me and is my refuge!
Joanne, I decided to take a few minutes and follow your suggestion on writing a poem. This is what the Lord is teaching me in these days and I entitled it:
Designaful Life
Lord, in these frazzled days,
I seek you, your presence, and your ways.
To design a full life in Christ, I so long
To live in refreshing is my song
From the presence of our Heavenly Father.
Lord, in these frazzled days,
I seek you, your presence, and your ways,
Releasing my agenda to you
Receiving your distinct and clear view
Of our Gracious Heavenly Father.
Lord, in these frazzled days,
I seek you, your presence, and your ways
Ceasing to strive to rely on self
Gaining your kingdom above all else
By the hands of our Heavenly Father.
Lord, in these frazzled days,
I seek you, your presence, and your ways.
Resting in your beauty of creation, people, food, and arts, I’m astounded
Renewing my strength for my Christ-full living, I’m surrounded
With the presence of our Heavenly Father.
Lord, in these frazzled days,
I seek you, your presence, and your ways.
Designing a full life in God-RELIANCE provides peace in me
Keeping company with Christ helps me live lightly and free
Because of my new view of our Heavenly Father.
By Carolyn Marlowe
Awesome Carolyn just awesome!