Joy and Discomfort - Psalm Sunday

This week I chose a psalm that is one of my favorites. It is one that I often turn to when I am in need of some encouragement, a reminder of the hope I have in Him even when I get a bit down about what ever life is throwing my way.

Life these days in very full. Full of both potential joy and potential discomfort. It is days like today that are very real reminders of that for me.
I had a rough night last night. I was beat after selling slings at the French Market yesterday and had pretty intense contractions and a horrible headache all night. It was topped off with a emotional morning for me, just feeling very tired and a bit un-attended to. I seem to have this need to be cared for, especially when I am feeling particularly needy and overwhelmed. Anyway.... Thankfully, Lucas took a good nap after church which meant I could too. We later had a very fun evening at our local county fair showing Lucas all the animals and watching his little face light up as he fed the goats and lambs (pics coming). As I put him down to bed, it was one of those times when I was really drinking in the special-ness of the moment. His little giggle as I made up a special voice for the baby bird who is looking for his mother, his insistance that we say thank you for brother Micah and baby brother (whose name is yet to be announced) during prayers, and his request for one more hug and kiss before I left the room. A day full of both overwhelming joy and discomfort...

So today, I have felt a little like David in this psalm - a bit troubled at times but really just thankful for the hope we have in the Lord and for the ways He blesses and instructs us. My hope truly is in Him, both when the joy and the discomfort come. And almost exactly two weeks from right now, I am scheduled for a heaping dose of both. To You, O Lord, I lift up my soul.....


Psalm 25

1 To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul;
2 in you I trust, O my God. Do not let me be put to shame, nor let my enemies triumph over me.
3 No one whose hope is in you will ever be put to shame, but they will be put to shame who are treacherous without excuse.
4 Show me your ways, O LORD, teach me your paths;
5 guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.
6 Remember, O LORD, your great mercy and love, for they are from of old.
7 Remember not the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways; according to your love remember me, for you are good, O LORD.
8 Good and upright is the LORD; therefore he instructs sinners in his ways.
9 He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way.
10 All the ways of the LORD are loving and faithful for those who keep the demands of his covenant.
11 For the sake of your name, O LORD, forgive my iniquity, though it is great.
12 Who, then, is the man that fears the LORD? He will instruct him in the way chosen for him.
13 He will spend his days in prosperity, and his descendants will inherit the land.
14 The LORD confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them.
15 My eyes are ever on the LORD, for only he will release my feet from the snare.
16 Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted.
17 The troubles of my heart have multiplied; free me from my anguish.
18 Look upon my affliction and my distress and take away all my sins.
19 See how my enemies have increased and how fiercely they hate me!
20 Guard my life and rescue me; let me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in you.
21 May integrity and uprightness protect me, because my hope is in you.
22 Redeem Israel, O God, from all their troubles!



MY LIFE IS IN YOU LORD

My life is in You, Lord
My strength is in You, Lord
My hope is in You, Lord
In You, it’s in You

I will praise You with all of my life
I will praise You with all of my strength
With all of my life
With all of my strength
All of my hope is in You