Psalms. God’s deep love for us. God using nighttime hours to give us peace. (May 2007)

Susan's Thursday morning note May 10, 2007 
Encouragement from Psalms on God’s deep love for us. 
God using nighttime hours to give us peace.

This week I once again realized the power of choosing what we put into our heads, and the power of choosing who we spend our time with.  It just never ceases to amaze me the power of my acquaintances in my day in affecting my disposition and outlook of life in general for the rest of that day.  Tuesday I spent the day just reflecting on why I had such an “off” day on Monday.  I recognized that my inner discouragement came mainly from the novel I had been reading and the people I had chosen to associate with and share my confidences with.  I then made a personal goal that the next day I would wake up, go through my morning “have to’s” as a mother, wife, etc., but that when I had my first 15 minutes break I wouldn’t immediately turn on my computer and check my e-mails.  Or immediately pick up a novel.  Or immediately start to “piddle” around. 

I made a conscious decision to go immediately in the morning straight to the Bible.  To try to put words in my head at the beginning of the day that would then empower my thoughts the rest of the day.  Not inspirational books, not inspirational quotes, but the actual truth of God.  So – yesterday morning, through pure self-discipline (and encouragement I had in my head from friends to do this), I got my coffee (that’s not piddling!), went to my desk, and opened my Bible to the Psalms.  I then opened my journal, which I almost always just put events or verses, very rarely do I write feelings – that way whenever I do read my journal it is full of encouragement to myself. 

I wrote the following Psalms that really refocused my mind on the realities of all of our lives.  We have a God that is so in love with us.  I looked especially for verses on how God uses the nighttime hours give us sustainment and encouragement.  I once read that when we sleep God can really give us his greatest comfort and encouragement and empowerment – for we are not preoccupied.  My hope is that these verses will give you encouragement and sustainment, no matter your personal circumstances, to “look up – where our help comes from” and to LIVE our lives, with the full knowledge of the promises below.  Eternity – we must keep the greatness of the gift of eternity in our perspectives and treasure our moments here on earth. 

Psalms 3:5 I lie down & sleep; I wake again, because the Lord sustains me.  

Psalms 4:4 When you are in your beds, search your hearts and be silent.  

Psalms 16:7 I will praise the Lord, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me.  

Psalms 17:3 Though you probe my heart and examine me at night, though you test me, you will find nothing, I have resolved that my mouth will not sin.  

Psalms 19:14 May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord.  

Psalms 30:5 For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.  

Psalms 30: 8 I desire to do your will, O my God, your law is in my heart.  

Psalms 42:8 By day the Lord directs his love, at night his song is with me - a prayer to the God of my life.  

Psalms 51:10 Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.  

Psalms 51:12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit to sustain me.  

Psalms 62:1 My soul finds rest in God alone.  

Psalms 62:5 Find rest, O my soul, in God alone, my hope comes from him.  

Psalms 62:8 Trust in him at all times.  Pour out your hearts to him - he is our refuge.  

Psalms 62:11 One thing God has spoken - 2 things I have heard: You, O Lord are strong, and that you, O Lord are loving.  

Psalms 63:8 My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.  

Psalms 73:23 Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand.  You guide me with your counsel and afterward you will take me into glory.  Who have I in heaven but you?  And earth has nothing I desire besides you.  My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion (my very life) forever.  

Psalms 121 I lift up my eyes to the hills - where does my help come from?  My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth.  He will not let your foot slip - he who watches over you will not slumber (such a personal relationship) The Lord watches over you - the Lord is your shade at your right hand.  The sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.  The Lord will keep you from all harm - he will watch over your life.  The Lord will watch over your coming and going, both now and forevermore.  

Psalms 141:3 Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord.  Keep watch over the door of my liPsalms 

Psalms 147:11 The Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love.  

Psalms 149:4 For the Lord takes delight in his people.  

I don’t want to try to make your personal situations “trite”, but I have to tell you that when I read verses like I wrote above – there is such peace given to me.  Such encouragement.  I heard on the radio yesterday (after almost switching the “sermon” to off!) that if we trust God’s omnipotence, then we can just rest.  And the verse above. 

Psalms 62:11 – Two things I heard – God is strong, and God is loving. 

Claim these TRUTHS in your day.  I am going to.  And then let’s go and at least give ourselves the gift of listening to God’s birds.  They sing for us.  They see us.  They know our stories, they keep our trust, they continue to give us their songs.  Live.  We must continue to see all in the light of heaven – the most beautiful moment of our life is when we end the life we know and meet the God we read about in the Psalms!  Now, may you take this encouragement and make this a day that you remember, that is worth remembering!  Susan