This is our son-in-law cutting down the tree in our son's front yard. (He watched YouTube videos to know how.)
This is the new view from our son and daughter-in-law's new home.
Worth the risk? We all think so.
Pastor Jim spoke on Sunday of the Psalmist's grateful heart in the midst of both good and bad times, the bad including being "surrounded" by nations, distress, severe discipline from God, rejection (see Psalm 118). I don't know about you, but when I am surrounded by nations, I am anything but grateful. Nervous, more like. As for discipline from the Lord, stressed and whiny. Rejection? Depressed.
This is why I need the Scriptures, by way of reminder. I, for one, need to be reminded that it is "better to take refuge in the Lord" than to call my friends. That "the Lord is on my side; I will not fear; what can man do to me?" That "the Lord is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation".
I need to feed my soul daily with this Word that reminds me of God's faithfulness and promises. And even then, I need the Holy Spirit throughout the day to remind me of what I've read. Praise God that we are not in this life alone. We dwell in the palm of His hand. We are never out of his care.
Practice this remembering. And say with the Psalmist: You are my God, and I will give thanks to you; you are my God; I will extol you. Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever! (Psalm 118:28-29)
The refrain I need to hear over and over again--I need to turn to the Lord in every situation and to be grateful, thankful that He is always caring for me. This reminds me of a recent post by Ann Voskamp in reference to giving thanks. "It's habits that can imprison you and it's habits that can free you and when thanks to God becomes a habit, joy in God becomes your life."
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! And true. Oh, to have that joy!
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