Psalm 116

I love when this happens, which hasn’t been very often—maybe a handful of times. The first time was when Beej and I were dating. We met up at the end of a long day, both ready to share a verse that God had used to really convict us each personally. It was Proverbs 3:5-6, the verse on my sidebar. We’d both read it that morning separately and felt God was saying it was especially for us in that season. I remember being amazed and so thankful for that confirmation.

So, I shouldn’t have been surprised last week when Beej sat down to share a verse with me that he thought was fitting for the season we’re in right now.

It’s Psalm 116 and what he didn’t know was that this verse is one I’ve read over and over since July. I already felt it was the verse for the season I was in personally, so I love that God also pressed this specific psalm on BJ’s heart as well.

Over the last several months, I’d focused on verses 5-7.

“Gracious is the Lord, and righteous, our God is merciful. The Lord preserves the simple; when I was brought low, he saved me. Return, o my soul, to your rest; for the Lord has dealt bountifully with you.”

But I was struck again when BJ read this aloud by the verses that directly follow.

“For you have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling; I will walk before the Lord in the land of the living.”

When my grandma died in March, although I grieved for her, her death made me think more of my dad than ever before. It was like taking me back to the first few months after he passed away, and it was awful, all over again. I don’t think I have ever felt so low as I did in those first few months after she died. 

On top of that, I was busy growing a baby, and I couldn’t help but wonder at the fact that I was pregnant again and another loved one was gone. I felt tired, both physically and emotionally, and there seemed to be a giant to-do list running constantly through my head as we helped family and began busily anticipating and preparing for our little boy.

As usual, God is so good and patient with me. He really used this psalm to gently remind me of all there is to be thankful for. That I do indeed still walk in the “land of the living” and therefore need to celebrate being alive! He has indeed been my refuge, my comfort and at times my only joy in the midst of sorrow. 

I guess this is all to say that there are times when we all feel alone and overwhelmed with our circumstances. We feel like no one understands what we're going through or how much we have on our plates just getting through the day. If you have Christ though, you are NEVER ALONE. He goes before you in all things. He is worthy of all your love and trust. He orchestrates all things in your life for your good. We cannot always know how, but we can choose to trust in God and let His peace be what carries us through each day. 

I just want to encourage you to choose joy. Life is so short and time goes by quickly. So choose  to live with a joyful, thankful heart. Focus on what you have, the ones you love, others around you, and on the Lord, if you know Him.