PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Psalm 116
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“Return to your rest, my soul, for the Lord has been good to you.” (Psalm 116:7)
In times of crisis or grief or stress or struggle, ‘return to your rest’.
Go to that place where your soul is nurtured, encouraged, strengthened.
Spend time resting your troubles in his hands, and resting yourself there too.
The psalmist shares his experience of God’s help through a tough time.
He shares how he rested in God’s goodness and love, even though he was struggling.
This is similar to Jesus sleeping on the boat through the storm.
I know, our natural response is agitation, anger, hyper-activity, worry.
But do any of these things help, do they take us out of trouble?
Often they only make it worse – our reactive responses only magnify the problem.
I am told that people diagnosed with cancer can heal better through calming practices.
Breathing, exercising, positive thinking, meditation… and prayer.
Our troubled spirits do not help us, they actually make things worse.
If you are in crisis or emotional upheaval, consider the calming practice of prayer.
You will discover his goodness waiting there for you.
PRAYER
Lord, may I calm myself in you, so that you can work your healing and blessing in and through me.
Humility – I have to admit that I need to humble myself – die to my own ego and let the Lord. “The Lord protects the unwary; when I was brought low, he saved me.” It is when I admit my failings and come to the Lord in all honesty admitting my own desires and wants and ego is getting in the way – then the Lord saves me and gives me rest: “Return to your rest, my soul, for the Lord has been good to you.” I can look back and see how the Lord has been gracious to me so often. Help me Lord to stay away from sin that so easily teases me and distracts me from a heart totally devoted to you! Help me find rest from temptation – save me from my own desires that at times go against my desire to be closer to you!!
At all times I will serve the living God. I need to call upon Him at all times and talk to Him in the good times and the bad times. He is my Comfort. I am His and He is mine and His banner over me is love. At a;\ll times I will call on the name of the Lord and praise His name.
All of my life, I will praise the living God,
My heart full of joy,
I will bless his holy name.
Bless the Lord, O my soul!
And never forget his gifts.
Bless the Lord, O my soul!
He pardons all our sins.
Bless the Lord, O my soul!
He saves us from all harm.
Bless the Lord, O my soul!
He fills our life with good.
Bless the Lord, O my soul!
He keeps us ever young.
Bless the Lord, O my soul!
His mercy never ends.
Bless the Lord, O my soul!
His kindness never ends.
Bless the Lord, O my soul!
His promises he keeps.
Bless the Lord, O my soul!
He died to bring us life.
Bless the Lord, O my soul!
He is the Bread of Life.
Bless the Lord, O my soul!
In him we find all love.