When Priscilla and I were talking. She encouraged me to find a scripture and just repeat it over and over when I’m struggling or when my mind wanders to a place it shouldn’t. She mentioned, “I am walking down the narrow path.” I think it’s what she repeated when her and Caleb were broken up. This morning I woke up earlier than I would have liked, but I kept thinking, “Lean not on your own understandings, He will make your path straight.” So I found that verse in my Bible: Proverbs 3:5-6 - “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” I underlined and dated it in my Bible. I think God put that verse on my mind and in my heart because that is what I need to repeat to myself. I layed there for a long time, trying to go back to sleep, but my mind was awake and alert, thinking of things I shouldn’t. Everytime I realized it, I repeated that verse and then just prayed. I had conversations with God. Cody said the other night that he has been doing that throughout the day, and I think that is wonderful. I want to do that as well. And this morning was the beginning of that. I read more last night and this morning, obviously. And ever since I started Psalms, I’ve been writing down verses in my journal that I feel stand out, or that reflect me in some way, or that I need to remember. So I’m going to share those with everyone daily:
“…weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.” -Psalm 30:5
“…Be my rock of refuge, a strong fortress to save me.” -Psalm 31:2
“I will be glad and rejoice in Your love, for You saw my affliction and knew the anguish of my soul.” -Psalm 31:7
“Be merciful to me, O LORD, for I am in distress; My eyes grow weak with sorrow, my soul and my body with grief.” -Psalm 31:9
“How great is Your goodness, which You have stored up for those who fear You, which you bestow in the sight of men on those who take refuge in You.” -Psalm 31:19
“Be strong and take heart, all You who hope in the LORD.” -Psalm 31:24
“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.” -Psalm 32:8
“We wait in hope for the LORD; He is our shield. In Him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in His holy name.” -Psalm 33:20-21
“The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; He delivers them from all their troubles. The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” -Psalm 34:17-18
“A righteous man may have many troubles but the LORD delivers Him from them all.” -Psalm 34:19
“Your love, O LORD, reaches to the heavens, Your faithefulness to the skies.” -Psalm 36:5
Here are some more that I underlined in my Bible, but that I didn’t write in my journal:
“O LORD, how majestic is Your name in all the earth!” -Psalm 8:1
“I have set the LORD always before me. Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; My body also will rest secure.” -Psalm 16:8-9
“The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, He restores my soul… Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” -Psalm 23:1-4
“No one whose hope is in You will ever be put to shame…” -Psalm 25:3
“My eyes are ever on the LORD, for only He will release my feet from the snare.” -Psalm 25:15
“The LORD is my light and my salvation - whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life - of whom shall I be afraid?” -Psalm 27:1
I think the Psalms are starting to be one of my favorite books of the Bible. David was such a strong man of God. So encouraging, and such a blessing God has given us to be able to read about his struggles, and his rejoicing through them. And being able to see how he gets through his guilt with sin, his forgiveness from God, and his repentance. I am really glad that God has me reading through Psalms during this time in my life. Coincidence? I think not.