How great is the Spring?

I'm sure everyone feels uplifted by the sunshine we've had lately, and hopeful from seeing daffodils and crocus' blooming. I get all caught up in watching the earth come back to life again.

Tonight, I'm reading Ps 89, vs 5-8:
The heavens praise your wonders, O Lord, your faithfulness too, in the assembly of theholy ones.
For who in the skies above can compare with the Lord? Who is like the Lord among the heavenly beings?
In the council of the hole ones god is greatly fears; he is more awesome than all who surround him.
O Lord God Almighty, who is like you? You are might, O Lord, and your faithfulness surrounds you.


The Psalm goes on to talk about how God has power over all of creation. Pretty cool stuff, really. I like the image of him stilling the waves and creating things. It makes me feel peaceful and full of awe.

I'm starting a class next week on Isaiah, so that's going to occupy my studying for a while. It's been a long (very long) time since I've taken a class, so if you're praying, offer up a line to help me have a clear head!

Psalm 91

This is the second verse suggested by my friend, Suzie (my brother's gf).

Ps 91, 1-2:
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most high will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust."

I love this imagery of dwelling in the shelter of God. Think about what that would be like, to be right there, sheltered by the creator of the universe. It's akin, for me, to sitting on my Daddy's lap when I was scared as a child. It's like getting a warm hug from Mom when things are rotten. It's like a sweet moment with my husband or son, when it's unexpected and totally selfless.

Thankfully, I've had all of those other shelters in my life, and I've often felt God's shelter, too. What a blessing this is.

Cast all your Cares

My friend, Suzie, sent me a great email that I read this morning. She sent along 2 excellent verses for me to ponder, and I'm going to use them one at a time for my devotions. Today's verse is Ps. 55:22: Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall.

This Psalm shows the writer in great despair (David is really very dramatic a lot of the time), and he talks about how his thoughts trouble him, his enemies surround him, and his companion, his close friend, has betrayed him. Then, about 2/3 through the Psalm we see the hope.

It starts with vs. 16: But I call to God, and the Lord saves me. Evening, morning and noon I cry out in distress and he hears my voice. He ransoms me, unharmed, from the battle waged against me, even though many oppose me. God, who is enthroned forever, will hear them and afflict them.

I don't really have people who are enemies, but as I said before, my enemies are boredom, despair and being overwhelmed by the journey ahead of me. Thing is, with God on my side, I needn't fear any of it. So far I'm not bored, I'm not despairing, and I'm not, at this moment, overwhelmed.

I'm doin' ok.