When I journal, I usually reflect on whatever scripture I’ve read that morning… and apply it to my life. It usually includes writing out the verses by hand, on my pages, as that exercise makes them ‘my own’ in a unique, proven, physical way. It’s part of how I learn (by kinesthetic movement), and I also seem to think best when I process my thoughts by writing them out. Sometimes I end up mixing up the order of the verses in a way that speaks their truth to me the deepest (as I’ve done below).
Today, I can’t say it better than David already did. It simply stands on its own. This Psalm expresses what I need most right now – and I hope it blesses you, my reader, as well. Take whatever you want/need from its’ verses… it’s all TRUTH!
Psalm 37 – A Song of Wisdom
I’m going to begin with verse 39, which to me sets the stage for this ‘Song that Wisdom sings:’
39 The Lord will be the Savior of all who love him.
Even in their time of trouble
God will live in them as strength.
The Presence of God
(His very own Spirit)
Lives in us – as strength.
One of Holy Spirit’s names is ‘Comforter.’
The word ‘comfort’ comes from two latin words:
‘Com’ = together,and
‘Fortis’ = strong.
Comfortmeans ‘together strong.’
‘The Comforter’ lives in me
(I am not alone)
And this‘withing’makes me
‘Together strong’
(Especially in a time of trouble).
Another of Holy Spirit’s names
Is “Lady Wisdom”
(Throughout the Proverbs)
And in ‘our time of trouble’
She sings this song (of beautiful instruction)
over me (and you):
Psalm 37
3 KEEP TRUSTING in the Lord
And do what is right in his eyes.
FIX your heart on the promises of God
And you will be SECURE,
FEASTING on his faithfulness.
(Trusting and secure…
Fixed and feasting…
Sounds pretty great!
Exactly where I want to be…)
7 Quiet your heart in his presence and pray;
KEEP HOPE ALIVE
As you LONG for God
To come through for you.
(HOPE and LONGING…
Hmmmm… just what I’ve been journaling –
and blogging – about.)
5 Give God the right to direct your life
And as you TRUST him along the way
You’ll find he pulled it off PERFECTLY!
(OH! Yesssss….please!
And THANK YOU.)
28 He will NEVER DESERT his devoted lovers;
They will be KEPT FOREVER
In his FAITHFUL CARE.
(I’m counting on it…)
23 The steps of the God-pursuing ones
Follow firmly in the footsteps of the Lord,
And God delights in every step they take
To follow him.
(It comforts me to realize your footprints go before me,
That I’m being led even when I don’t feel like I can see…
And that you delight in my faltering steps.)
40 Because of their FAITH in him,
Their DAILY PORTION will be
A FATHER’S HELP
And deliverance from evil.
(My ‘daily portion’
Is ‘a Father’s help…’
I LOVE that so much!)
6 He will ‘appear’ as your righteousness
(‘Be birthed’ in your life,
Through these circumstances)
As SURE as the dawning of a new day sun.
(I’ve never doubted the sun would rise…
Have you? That’s pretty SURE…)
37 You can tell who are the blameless
And spiritually mature.
What a DIFFERENT STORY with them!
The godly ones
Will have a peaceful, prosperous future
With a HAPPY ENDING.
(God knows… how often the hopeless romantic in me has whispered, “But I just want a happy ending…” So this promise means the world to me!)
34 So DON’T BE IMPATIENT for the Lord to act;
KEEP MOVING FORWARD steadily in his ways,
And he will exalt you
At the right time.
And when he does,
YOU WILL POSSESS EVERY PROMISE,
Including your FULL INHERITANCE.
God,
I will continue to SURRENDER to TRUSTING in YOU,
Even if…
I don’t understand what You are doing,
Wouldn’t have chosen what I’m walking through,
And continue to wrestle with doubt and insecurity, intermittently.
Even when…
I Can’t see where You are taking me
And I don’t know how Your gonna work this out…
I choose to TRUST Your good intentions towards me…
To keep moving forward…
Pursuing YOU
And following firmly in your footsteps
As best I can discern.
I surrender my story to you.
Let me be found trusting you!
I give you permission to take my story
And mold it into the picture
That you wanted to create for me all along.
Father,
Your help is my daily portion!
Gain glory in my story…
And bring it to it’s peaceful, prosperous HAPPY ENDING
That is best for me.
Forgive my impatience as I await
What you deem ‘the right timing’
For the fulfillment of ALL the beautiful things
You’ve promised to me…
I’m looking forward to receiving
My FULL INHERITANCE in You!!!
SO. BE. IT.
