Today’s Tasting: Psalms 3–4, 12–13, 28, 55 (NKJV): These Psalms are both desperate cries to the Lord for rescue and fervent declarations of faith in His goodness.
“Lord, how they have increased who trouble me!
Many are those who rise up against me.” (Psalm 3:1)
“Hear me when I call,
O God of my righteousness!
You have relieved me in my distress;
Have mercy on me, and hear my prayer.” (Psalm 4:1)
“How long shall I take counsel in my soul,
Having sorrow in my heart daily?
How long will my enemy be exalted over me?
…
“But I have trusted in Your mercy;
My heart shall rejoice in Your salvation.
I will sing to the Lord,
Because He has dealt bountifully with me.” (Psalm 13:2, 5, 6)
“The Lord is my strength and my shield;
My heart trusted in Him and I am helped;
Therefore my heart greatly rejoices.
And with my song I will praise Him.” (Psalm 28:7)
Today’s Nourishment: These Psalms make my heart swell with gratitude to God as I recall the many times in my past when I was struggling to make sense of my life and the Psalms gave me a raft to cling to, a lifeline in the stormiest moments of my life. In fact, it was in the midst of a heart-breaking divorce that I learned to cling to the Word of God.
Today, I’d like to share my thoughts on Psalm 4:8, in which David says,
“I will both lie down in peace and sleep;
For You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.”
During a very difficult season in my life, I kept these verses hidden in my heart, and pinned to the wall above my bed. It was a constant reminder of God’s protection, which I desperately needed for my family at that time. On nights when I was tempted to lie awake with anxious thoughts swirling around in my head and fear gripping my heart, I prayed this Scripture, and the reassurance of His presence allowed me to sleep. Although those days are now behind me, I still sometimes come awake in the middle of the night and speak the verse into the darkness, to remind myself that God keeps me safe.
The enemy of our souls, Satan, loves to attack us through our minds, keeping us awake with worry, for he knows that someone with an anxious, unsettled mind is easily persuaded to stray from keeping faith. Let me encourage you today, that there is an answer in God’s Word for whatever is troubling you. Be convinced, like David was when he penned the Psalms, that Almighty God is attentive to your cry for help. He’s given you His Word! Search it for the answers you need. And you’ll discover, like I have, that Satan flees from your presence when You wield “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Ephesians 6:17).
Join the conversation below and share your thoughts on today’s devotional:
Tomorrow’s Delight: 2 Samuel 16–18
Joanne Creary
Well Woman Coaching, LLC
www.facebook.com/joannecreary
Such a great and needed word, thanks Joanne. I too know so well the assurance of God’s word in the midst of some hard times. It’s so amazing to me how When I call out to Him He comes with that sweet peace that surpasses all understanding. His word is truly our source in life and I’m so thankful for it. Let’s wield our SWORDS!!!!!
Hi Tammy, isn’t it a source of strength for us as Christians to know the power of the Most High God is on our side!
Yes, Joanne, God’s Word comforts and leads us in all our circumstances. The scripture, “I will both lie down in peace and sleep; For you O Lord, make me dwell in safety” (Psalm 4:8) is embroidered on a pillowcase for our bed. I am comforted by this passage. His Word is alive and helps us in all our day-to-day lives.
Joanne, you don’t know just how much I needed this right now!! Thanks so much for the reminder that God has us and to not stray from the faith! This has been such a hectic and chaotic week for me, thankful that the Lord always knows what we need when we need it. Amen!!