Psalm 42

 

This last few months have felt a bit like being caught in the breakers after a wipe out.  Just when you pop up for air another wave crashes over your head.  It is in those times where the peace that God brings is so very important.  His presence calms the slamming waves and brings fresh air to oxygen starved lungs.  My family has been caught in the kayos of  life, death, and change.  Through all of it we have been epically thankful for the God we serve and the joy and peace he brings.  I am thankful for our relationship with a heavenly father who deeply cares for us, and I am thankful for the people he brings into our lives who distribute his love.

Psalm 42

¹ As the deer pants for streams of water,
    so my soul pants for you, my God.
² My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
    When can I go and meet with God?
³ My tears have been my food
    day and night,
while people say to me all day long,
    “Where is your God?”
⁴ These things I remember
    as I pour out my soul:
how I used to go to the house of God
    under the protection of the Mighty One
with shouts of joy and praise
    among the festive throng.

⁵ Why, my soul, are you downcast?
    Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
    for I will yet praise him,
    my Savior and my God.

⁶ My soul is downcast within me;
    therefore I will remember you
from the land of the Jordan,
    the heights of Hermon—from Mount Mizar.
⁷ Deep calls to deep
    in the roar of your waterfalls;
all your waves and breakers
    have swept over me.

⁸ By day the Lord directs his love,
    at night his song is with me—
    a prayer to the God of my life.

⁹ I say to God my Rock,
    “Why have you forgotten me?
Why must I go about mourning,
    oppressed by the enemy?”
¹⁰ My bones suffer mortal agony
    as my foes taunt me,
saying to me all day long,
    “Where is your God?”

¹¹ Why, my soul, are you downcast?
    Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
    for I will yet praise him,
    my Savior and my God.

Pray for all people

 I was reminded today as I read 1 Timothy that God has called us to pray, petition, and intercede for, and on the behalf of all people.  This includes your boss, coworker, neighbor, cranky lady at the check out and yes even the guy who cut you off this morning on your way to work.  

I have determined to put this into practice in one simple way.  Each time I have a conflict with a person, I will stop and pray for that person prior to addressing the issue.  The prayer can be as simple as "God, I know that you have a plan for all of us and I lift up (insert name) and pray that you will have a hand in resolving the conflict that is causing mistrust in our relationship". 

Each day as I step into the fire of life I need to remember that I carry a promise that is much bigger than the problems of this world and I have a light within me that if allowed to shine will add light to the dark places.

1 Timothy 2:1-6

 I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—  for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.  This is good, and pleases God our Savior,  who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.  For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus,  who gave himself as a ransom for all people.