“Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the LORD has been good to you.” Psalm 116: 7
I laid my heart out to God last night, like I have done so many times before. There are times when nothing is being said. There are times when all you can do is cry and not say a word, but God hears every whisper of your breaking heart. He knows. Yes, He knows. When I woke up today “Be at rest once more, my soul, for the Lord has been good to you” penetrated my heart and flooded my thoughts. I immediately searched for this phrase online (I used The Blue Letter Bible) and Psalm 116 came on the screen. A beautiful Psalm! Let me share the first six verses with you…
“I love the LORD, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy.
Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live.
The cords of death entangled me, the anguish of the grave came upon me; I was overcome by trouble and sorrow.
Then I called on the name of the LORD: “O LORD, save me!”
The LORD is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion.
The LORD protects the simplehearted; when I was in great need, he saved me.”
These words penned by David are words of thanksgiving. He had experienced God’s goodness to him in answer to prayer. David had humbly and earnestly begged mercy of God, and God had heard him. He heard him! And God graciously accepted his prayer, and granted him an answer of peace. Don’t you think God will do the same for you and me? “He has turned his ear to me.” This speaks volumes about God’s readiness and willingness to hear prayer; he lays his ear, though it be but whispered in groanings that cannot be uttered! I don’t know about you, but this is so exciting to me. The God of the universe hears my prayers!
I can’t explain it, but God has a way of always pulling me out of my anxieties and fears. When I feel I’m at the end of my rope, He somehow ties a knot in my rope and I hold on (see Somehow God Just Ties a Knot and I Hang On)! And every experience we have of God’s goodness to us, in answer to prayer, is a great encouragement to continue praying. God answers prayer. We have to expect answers. Think about these words. Really meditate on these words…
“But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind.” James 1: 6
Have a great weekend 🙂