psalm 139_4I woke from a solid sleep, spring at my doorstep, and birds sweetly singing a morning lullaby to me. Yet the first words that came out of my mouth were, “I don’t want to have another…” I stopped myself before finishing the sentence but it was already out there. My husband asked what I was going to say. I decided to be honest and admitted that I was going to say the word “week”.

I don’t like that I was going to say that. I’m pretty embarrassed that it almost came out of my mouth and I’ve been striving to understand the why of it. And I could probably write a very long post right now about the why’s of it. It’s more important and edifying, though, for me to share about what the Lord reminded me soon after I uttered that incomplete sentence. As I considered my lack of joy on a Monday morning, I opened my devotional for the day. The scripture for the day was Psalm 139, specifically verses 1-6.

“O LORD, you have searched me and known me!
You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
you discern my thoughts from afar.
You search out my path and my lying down
and are acquainted with all my ways.
Even before a word is on my tongue
behold, O LORD, you know it altogether.
You hem me in, behind and before,
and lay your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
it is high; I cannot attain it.”

My heart melted. He knew…he knew before I admitted it to my husband what I was feeling. And instead of fearing what he would do to me for thinking it, I felt peace and comfort that He knew. In that moment, I realized that He was the only one who could turn my thoughts around. He paved the way for that, showing us what to do in the face of heartache, challenges, dread, and even death.

“In the days of His flesh, He offered up both prayers and supplications with loud crying and tears to the One able to save Him from death, and He was heard because of His piety” (Hebrews 5:7).

On the night He was betrayed:

And he said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will” (Mark 14:36).

When His friends didn’t seem to get it:

And he came the third time and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? It is enough; the hour has come. The Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand” (Mark 14:41-42).

Even though Jesus dreaded what was to come and even asked for another way, He still got up and went forward toward it. He didn’t shrink back.  With His betrayer at hand, He said, “Rise, let us be going.”

I went on to read some words of Saint Patrick, an early Christian missionary to Ireland. I’m sure had many reasons to fear a week ahead at times in his life, yet this is what he wrote.

“I arise today
Through God’s strength to pilot me;
God’s might to uphold me,
God’s wisdom to guide me,
God’s eye to look before me,
God’s ear to hear me,
God’s word to speak for me,
God’s hand to guard me,
God’s way to lie before me,
God’s shield to protect me,
God’s hosts to save me
Afar and anear,
Alone or in a multitude. 

Christ shield me today, aAgainst wounding.

Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me,
Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ on my right, Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down,
Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in the eye that sees me,
Christ in the ear that hears me.

I arise today
Through the mighty strength
Of the Lord of creation.”

 

The Lord knows our thoughts as we wake and as we lay down to sleep. He is with us in every aspect of our lives and He cares. Will you cast your cares on Him this week?
“Cast all your anxieties upon Him, for He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7).

 

I’m striving to think upon these truths today as I head into this next week. Will you join me? Be encouraged!  Our God is active in our lives. Jesus faced all manner of challenges as He turned toward the Father in prayer for strength and help.  In the face of heartache, challenges, and maybe dread; we can say just as He did, “Arise, let us be going.”

If you want to experience more of the transforming power of God’s Word in your life, join me for a FREE four week online video course, Empowered by Truth. This is a free course for all who sign up for my newsletter. Sign up here!

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Linking up this week with these encouraging blogs:

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