Otherwise, I am beginning to feel better - you might say I am shaking the blues. Well enough to monkey with this site and add a few things. (Cynth was a bit dismayed at the selection of one of the pictures, but she gave it an "OK.") The pain in my mouth is still a bother, and that continues to affect my spirits, just not to the degree earlier in the week. I guess I could have let it set awhile with my last post . . . The lament Psalms hold an enormously rich dialogue for the dark times of the soul. But I just couldn't, realizing that a soul in the valley, is comforted to know the Shepherd is by his side.
So, I mean to list some favorite Psalms that speak to God's work in redemptive history as much as in my life, not that there is a one-or-the-other kind of difference between the story of redemption and my story, or your story for that matter. We must learn how our story is God's story in specific relationship to us individually. When we do, we have to come to terms with all the brokenness in our life that we don't want to acknowledge as being used by God for his glory and our growth, but that we must do. Otherwise, we don't feel God's closeness in the valley, rather we sense him absent. Here is a psalm that describes my state today:
I will extol you, O LORD, for you have drawn me up and have not let my foes rejoice over me.
O LORD my God, I cried to you for help, and you have healed me.
O LORD, you have brought up my soul from Sheol; you restored me to life from among those who go down to the pit.
Sing praises to the LORD, O you his saints, and give thanks to his holy name.
For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.
As for me, I said in my prosperity, "I shall never be moved."
By your favor, O LORD, you made my mountain stand strong; you hid your face; I was dismayed.
To you, O LORD, I cry, and to the Lord I plead for mercy:
"What profit is there in my death, if I go down to the pit? Will the dust praise you? Will it tell of your faithfulness?
Hear, O LORD, and be merciful to me! O LORD, be my helper!"
You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; you have loosed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness,
that my glory may sing your praise and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks to you forever!
Psalm 103 gives a great reminder of God's work and his mercy:
Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name!
Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits,
who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
The LORD works righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed.
He made known his ways to Moses, his acts to the people of Israel.
The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
He will not always chide, nor will he keep his anger forever.
He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities.
For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;
as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us.
As a father shows compassion to his children, so the LORD shows compassion to those who fear him.
For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust.
As for man, his days are like grass; he flourishes like a flower of the field;
for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more.
But the steadfast love of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him, and his righteousness to children's children,
to those who keep his covenant and remember to do his commandments.
The LORD has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all.
Bless the LORD, O you his angels, you mighty ones who do his word, obeying the voice of his word!
Bless the LORD, all his hosts, his ministers, who do his will!
Bless the LORD, all his works, in all places of his dominion. Bless the LORD, O my soul!
Nearly eleven years ago when I was failing miserably at my attempts to help Cynth through her valley, two songs became especially significant for me: "I Can Only Imagine" by MercyMe, and 4Him's "Psalm 112:
Praise the LORD! Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who greatly delights in his commandments!
His offspring will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed.
Wealth and riches are in his house, and his righteousness endures forever.
Light dawns in the darkness for the upright; he is gracious, merciful, and righteous.
It is well with the man who deals generously and lends; who conducts his affairs with justice.
For the righteous will never be moved; he will be remembered forever.
He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the LORD.
His heart is steady; he will not be afraid, until he looks in triumph on his adversaries.
He has distributed freely; he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever; his horn is exalted in honor.
The wicked man sees it and is angry; he gnashes his teeth and melts away; the desire of the wicked will perish!
How awesome is my God? Even though there is night, and the valley is dark which presses
In on me, he is there with me, accompanying me through to the joy that comes in the morning.
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