One thing that I am trying to do this year is read through Psalms and Proverbs each month. Oh, how my heart is full even as I have just started to read through them.
What I love about the Psalms is that they are real and raw. The Psalmists do not sugar-coat the difficulties in life. They share. They lament. Yet, then they point back to God and His all-sufficiency. Especially on the long, lonely days of isolation, the challenging pain days, and the tedious monotony days that come with chronic illness, the Psalms lift my heart and touch my soul. They help direct my gaze back to Him.
It is easy to think that we should hide our true feelings from God or that it is wrong to feel (or admit) the pain of the trials of this life. We add to our burdens when we do either of these things. God wants us to share with Him; He knows this life is painful. He loves us and wants us to lean on Him through these trials.
Psalm 3 resonated with me. You can see the despair at the beginning of the Psalm, and then the way the Psalmist finds rest in God. Just think, he finds rest in God even in the midst of trials.
“3 Lord, how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me.
2 Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah.
3 But thou, O Lord, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.
4 I cried unto the Lord with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah.
5 I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the Lord sustained me.
6 I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about.
7 Arise, fO Lord; save me, O my God: for thou hast smitten all mine enemies upon the cheek bone; thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly.
8 Salvation belongeth unto the Lord: thy blessing is upon thy people. Selah.”
The Psalms are a treasure-trove of blessing and comfort. If you would like to read through them each month, read five Psalms a day. (I do adjust this around Psalm 119 due to its length.) We would love to hear how you are encouraged through the Psalms.
Leave a Reply