Happy Valentine’s Day! This day reminds me of the fun Valentine’s parties we had in school. I always loved picking out Valentines and filling them out for my friends. It has been fun watching on Facebook all the creative Valentine’s boxes families are making together. Remember when we just decorated an old Kleenex box?

Eventually, Valentine’s Day became less about candy, cards & class parties and more about the celebration of my love for Scott. I am so blessed to have him in my life! He is so generous and wonderful. I hope and pray He is as blessed by my love for him as I am blessed by his love for me.

This morning my mind also goes to my love relationship with God. Once again, He was readily available to spend time with me this morning. I woke up with a love song on my mind and I’ve been singing it since.

Could we with ink the ocean fill, and were the skies of parchment made; were every stalk on earth a quill, and every man a scribe by trade. To write the love of God above, would drain the ocean dry; nor could the scroll contain the whole, though stretched from sky to sky. Oh, love of God, how rich and pure! How measureless and strong! It shall forevermore endure – the saints’ and angels’ song. [The Love of God by Fredrick Lehman, 1917]

God’s love does not disappoint. He is so incredible! But what about my side of the love relationship? How am I doing? I remember back to a book I read three years ago and would like to share a portion of what Francis Chan had to say in Crazy Love.

Most Christians have been taught in church or by their parents to set aside a daily time for prayer and Scripture reading. It’s what we are supposed to do, and so for a long time it’s what I valiantly attempted. When I didn’t, I felt guilty.

The irony is that while God doesn’t need us but still wants us, we desperately need God but don’t really want Him most of the time. He treasures us and anticipates our departure from this earth to be with Him – and we wonder, indifferently, how much we have to do for Him to get by. [Crazy Love, Francis Chan]

Jesus, may my quiet time with you never be something to check off my to do list but rather something I desire more than anything else, something I need more than my next breath. Forgive me for the many times I have been “too busy” to spend time alone with you. Forgive me for the times when my time with you is spent rushing through my devotions instead of quietly listening to your Spirit. Lord, I want to be crazy in love with you – wholeheartedly surrendered, genuinely intimate with You – actively running toward Christ, having the kind of faith that others see as crazy.

I want to be SO crazy in love with Jesus that I do whatever it takes to draw close enough to Him to respond to His every request, His every command, His every nudge. I want to express His love to others as if every day was Valentine’s Day.

This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence whenever our hearts condemn us. – 1 John 3:16-20

For God so loved the world that he gave… – John 3:16a

“USA! USA! USA!” We have listened to this powerful chant all week as the Winter Olympics have drawn our attention. We take pride in our athletes and cheer them on, hoping and praying they will have the experience they have spent their life preparing for. We celebrate their victories and ache for their defeats.

The media have done a great job of sharing the stories of the athletes around the world. Some of those stories have helped us to realize how blessed we are to live in a country where we can celebrate our freedom. I am proud to be an American, yet not without concerns for the sinful condition of our nation. Today, as I cheer on my country, I also offer up this prayer for our nation:

Help us, Heavenly Father. Forgive the sins of this nation and help us to bring glory to your name in all that we do.

Help us, O God of our salvation!
Help us for the glory of your name.
Save us and forgive our sins for the honor of your name. – Psalm 79:9

Turn the heart of this nation back to you and shine down on us.

Revive us so we can call on your name once more.
Turn us again to yourself, O Lord God of Heaven’s Armies.
Make your face shine down upon us.
Only then will we be saved. – Psalm 80:18b-19

Pour down your blessing on us, O great and generous God!

Unfailing love and truth have met together.
Righteousness and peace have kissed!
Truth springs up from the earth and righteousness smiles down from heaven.
Yes, the Lord pours down his blessings.
Our land will yield its bountiful harvest. – Psalm 85:10-12

Lord, we know You can take today’s situation and change it – You can take away Your blessing and You can increase Your blessing. We pray for God’s best for America.

He changes rivers into deserts, and springs of water into dry, thirsty land.
He turns the fruitful land into salty wastelands, because of the wickedness of those who live there.
BUT he also turns deserts into pools of water, the dry land into springs of water.
He brings the hungry to settle there and to build their cities.
They sow their fields, plant their vineyards, and harvest their bumper crops.
How he blesses them!
They raise large families there, and their herds of livestock increase – Psalm 107:33-38

As You have blessed generations who have come before us, we pray You will bless the generations to come.

May the Lord richly bless you and your children.
May you be blessed by the Lord, who made heaven and earth. – Psalm 115:14-15

Let us unite our voices in praise to God! May America recognize the unfailing love and faithfulness of our God and together lift their voices in praise!

Praise the Lord, all you nations.
Praise him, all you people of the earth.
For he loves us with unfailing love; the Lord’s faithfulness endures forever. – Psalm 117

O [America,] put your hope in the Lord – now and always. – Psalm 131:3

I pray for harmony and unity for our country.

How wonderful and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony!
For harmony is as precious as the anointing oil that was poured over Aaron’s head, that ran down his beard and onto the border of his robe.
Harmony is as refreshing as the dew from Mount Hermon that falls on the mountains of Zion.
And there the Lord has pronounced his blessing, even life everlasting. – Psalm 133

God bless America!

Lift up holy hands in prayer, and praise the Lord.
May the Lord, who made heaven and earth, bless you… – Psalm 134:2-3

The Lord gives righteousness… – Psalm 103:6a

I could just stop right there. I love the powerful message contained in these four words. I cannot in a million years be righteous on my own but I serve a generous God who GIVES righteousness. I can never be good enough but He is enough – His righteousness can look at this ungodly heart and call me godly.

Light shines on the godly, and joy on those whose hearts are right.
May all who are godly rejoice in the Lord and praise His holy name. – Psalm 97:11-12

When I consider that it is HIS righteousness that makes a godly life possible, I can join in with the psalmist in this prayer of commitment to living a godly life. If I think for one minute I can do it on my own, this prayer is said with uncertainty. I HOPE I can live a blameless life, I HOPE I can lead a life of integrity. If the foundation of my prayer starts with “The Lord give righteousness…”, then I can join in this prayer with confidence that it is all about my willing heart and God’s capable heart. If I am willing to commit to living a holy life, He will give me His righteousness.

I will sing of your love and justice, Lord.
I will praise you with songs.
I will be careful to live a blameless life – when will you come to help me?
I will lead a life of integrity in my own home.
I will refuse to look at anything vile and vulgar.
I hate all who deal crookedly;
I will have nothing to do with them.
I will reject perverse ideas and stay away from every evil.
I will not tolerate people who slander their neighbors.
I will not endure conceit and pride. – Psalm 101:1-5

Give thanks to the Lord, for HE IS GOOD!
His faithful love endures forever.
Who can list the glorious miracles of the Lord?
Who can ever praise him enough?
There is joy for those who deal justly with others
and always do what is right. – Psalm 106:1-3

Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim HIS greatness.
Let the whole world know what HE has done.
Sing to Him; yes, sing His praises.
Tell everyone about HIS wonderful deeds.
Exult in His holy name; rejoice, you who worship the Lord.
Search for the Lord and for his strength; continually seek him.
Remember the wonders he has performed, his miracles, and the rulings he has given…
He is the Lord our God.
His justice is seen throughout the land.
He ALWAYS stands by His covenant –
the commitment He has made to a thousand generations. – Psalm 105:1-8

Lord, I search this morning for You and for Your strength. I am seeking You and asking You for a fresh outpouring of Your righteousness into my life. Fill me with Your Spirit so I cannot submit to Your plan for my life. Every word I say, every action I take today, may it be evidence of Your righteousness at work in my life. Thank you for your faithfulness – that you ALWAYS stand by Your covenant. I desire to sing Your praises all day long! Amen.

Praise the Lord! – Psalm 150:1

This is a familiar phrase to all of us. We have heard it spoken among believers, written in correspondence and shouted in worship services. The word “praise” can be found 380 times in the Bible (NLT), 187 times in the book of Psalms. As we finish up our study of this book of poetry, I find myself slowing down to consider this familiar phrase that rolls of my tongue. This morning I seek new understanding of this command in scripture – the command to praise the Lord. I do not want the familiarity of the words to cause me to miss out on what God’s Word is calling me to do.

Google provides us with a few definitions:
Praise – to express warm approval or admiration of; the expression of approval or admiration of someone or something.
The two main words found in this definition of praise are “approval” and “admiration”.
Approval – the action of officially agreeing to something or accepting something as satisfactory; the belief that someone or something is good or acceptable.
Admiration – respect or warm approval.

This morning I watched a video of a 15 month old baby girl in California experiencing rain for the first time. She was adorable as she stretched out her hands and tilted her face toward the sky. She giggled and smiled in approval of this new experience.

What if I were to worship like this little girl experienced the rain? What if I turn my face towards God and lift up my hands in praise, showing how I agree with God that this life He has given me is good – that I admire and approve. What if I worship God like I am experiencing Him for the first time?

So when I say “Praise the Lord” what am I saying? I am expressing approval and admiration of God. I am agreeing that God is good and I can accept what He decides to do. SUBMISSION. I am showing respect for who God is and what He does. God does not need my approval in the sense of seeking my permission or favor, but He demands my respect and acceptance of His Lordship. SUBMISSION.

Can I now say “Praise the Lord” and really mean it? Can I accept Him for who He is and recognize that He is good, that all He does is acceptable and worthy of my admiration? Even in the most difficult of situations, can I rest submissively in His hands and say, “Praise the Lord!!!”

Praise the Lord!

Let all that I am praise the Lord, I will praise the Lord as long as I live.
I will sing praises to my God with my dying breath. – Psalm 146:1-2

The Lord is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.
The Lord is good to everyone.
He showers compassion on all His creation.
All of your works will thank you, Lord, and your faithful followers will praise you.
They will speak of the glory of your kingdom; they will give examples of your power.
They will tell about your mighty deeds and about the majesty and glory of your reign.
For your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom.
You rule throughout all generations.
The Lord always keeps his promises; he is gracious in all he does. – Psalm 145:8-13

Praise the Lord!

He heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds.
He counts the stars and calls them by name.
How great is our Lord!
His power is absolute!
His understanding is beyond comprehension! – Psalm 147:3-5

Praise the Lord!

Let all created things give praise to the Lord, for he issued his command, and they came into being…
Praise the Lord from the earth, you creatures of the ocean depths, fire and hail, snow and clouds, wind and weather that obey him, mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars, wild animals and all livestock, small scurrying animals and birds, kings of the earth and all people, rulers and judges of the earth, your men and young women, old men and children.
Let all praise the name of the Lord.
For his name is very great; his glory towers over the earth and heaven. – Psalm 148:5-13

Let the praise of God be in their mouths, and a sharp sword in their hands. – Psalm 149:6

Praise the Lord!

Praise the Lord! – Psalm 150:1-2,6

Once a year, the Church of the Nazarene schedules a leadership retreat for its District Superintendents and their spouses. They choose a warm climate and a quiet getaway for us to step into as we step out of our chaotic schedules. It is an opportunity to soak in the sun while we soak in the presence of God’s Son. We have worship services and incredible messages by our General Superintendents.

As difficult as it is for me to leave my girls behind and leave my job behind, I know that I need this. I know how spending time in God’s presence can change me and refresh me. But this is something I need every day, all year – not just at a spiritual retreat. That is why I get up each morning and spend time in His presence before the house gets loud and the day picks up momentum. Me, my God and a hot cup of my morning coffee.

…the godly will live in your presence. – Psalm 140:13b

Spending time in God’s presence changes us.

Spending time with the Lord produces godliness in our lives. Spending time daily getting a fresh filling of the Spirit produces good fruit in our life. It changes what we do and what we say.

Take control of what I say, O Lord, and guard my lips.
Don’t let me drift toward evil or take part in acts of wickedness.
Don’t let me share in the delicacies of those who do wrong. – Psalm 141:3-4

Lord, I long to dwell in Your presence and give you control of what I say and what I do. Lord, protect me from the urgings of my sinful nature and breathe into me the urgings of Your Spirit. Guide what I say and what I do. Guide the direction of my life, O God.

Spending time in God’s presence changes our direction.

When I am overwhelmed, YOU ALONE KNOW THE WAY I SHOULD TURN.
Wherever I go, my enemies have set traps for me.
I look for someone to come and help me, but no one gives me a passing thought!
No one will help me; no one cares a bit what happens to me.
Then I pray to you, O Lord.
I say, “You are my place of refuge.
YOU ARE ALL I REALLY WANT IN LIFE.” – Psalm 142:3-5

Spending time in God’s presence changes our desires.

Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting you.
Show me where to walk, for I give myself to you.
Rescue me from my enemies, Lord; I run to you to hide me.
TEACH ME TO DO YOUR WILL, for you are my God.
May your gracious Spirit lead me forward on a firm footing. – Psalm 143:8-10

Spending time in God’s presence brings us joy!

Yes, joyful are those who live like this!
Joyful indeed are those whose God is the Lord. – Psalm 144:15

Spending time in God’s presence draws us closer to Him.

The Lord is close to all who call on him, yes, to all who call on him in truth.
He grants the desires of those who fear him;
he hears their cries for help and rescues them. – Psalm 145:18-19

…the godly will live in your presence. – Psalm 140:13b

That is where I long to spend my day – in Your presence, Lord. Not just while I drank my morning coffee, but all day long. May Your presence in my life today change me – change my desires, change my direction. May time in Your presence bring me joy and draw me closer to You. Lord, refresh me and renew me for what lies ahead. I soak in Your presence, Father God, and fix my eyes on You.

When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers –
the moon and the stars you set in place –
what are mere mortals that you should think about them,
human beings that you should care for them? – Psalm 8:3-4

I can relate to these words of the psalmist. Sometimes I am overwhelmed with the fact that the God of Creation loves me and cares about me – individually! The book of Psalms does not just tell us about God, it describes man’s relationship with God. As we read through it, we do not simply increase what WE KNOW ABOUT GOD. We come face to face with the fact that WE ARE KNOWN BY GOD.

The Lord will work out his plans for my life – for your faithful love, O Lord, endures forever.
Don’t abandon me, for you made me. – Psalm 138:8

My favorite verse in scripture is Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” This verse in Psalm 138 is another great reminder that the God who created me knows everything there is to know about me and it is this God who holds my life in His hands.

O Lord, you have examined my heart and know EVERYTHING about me.
You know when I sit down or stand up.
You know my thoughts even when I’m far away.
You see me when I travel and when I rest at home.
You know EVERYTHING I do.
You know what I am going to say even before I say it, Lord.
You go before me and follow me.
You place your hand of blessing on my head.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to understand!

I can never escape your Spirit!
I can never get away from your presence!
If I go up to the heaven, you are there; if I go down to the grave, you are there.
If I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans,
even there your hand will guide me, and your strength will support me.
I could ask the darkness to hide me and the light around me to become night –
but even in darkness I cannot hide from you.
To you the night shines as bright as day.
Darkness and light are the same to you. – Psalm 139:1-12

There is no pretending when it comes to our relationship with God. He knows our heart – He knows what we are feeling and where we are struggling. There is no need to pretend. This God who created us understands us. He created us to need His hand to guide us and His strength to support us. He will not leave us alone. When we look back, He is there. When we look forward, He is there.

You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb.
Thank you for making me so complex! Your workmanship is marvelous – how well I know it.
You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion,
as I was woven together in the dark of the womb.
You saw me before I was born.
Every day of my life was recorded in your book.
Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.

How precious are your thoughts about me, O God.
They cannot be numbered!
I can’t even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand!
And when I wake up, you are still with me! – Psalm 139:13-18

Already this year, I have had to face some fear of the uncertainty of life. A few weeks ago, a mother I know from Bloomington found out that her youngest son has leukemia. Instantly their life changed. Last weekend, Dave Cronebaugh fell on the ice and now he is fighting for his life. I am reminded that there is no certainty of what today holds, what tomorrow will bring. That fact frightens me. Today’s Scripture reminds me that God knows – that He will work out His plans for my life and never abandon me. I can rest in the knowledge that God loves me and thinks about me.

Lord, you know what this life holds for me. I ask You to guide me and strengthen me according to Your plan for my life. Go before me and follow me. Place Your hand of blessing on my head. Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out everything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life (139:23-24). I commit another day to You, Lord, trusting You with all the details. I choose to spend my time in Your ever faithful presence. Fill me with Your Spirit, O Lord, and make today exactly what You want it to be. Amen.

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good!
His love endures forever. – Psalm 136:1

This morning I read this verse over and over again, soaking in the meaning of just how incredible God is. He is a good God – a God who loves us with a love that will endure forever. His love will endure. It will suffer patiently; it will tolerate. His love will bear…stand…suffer…tolerate…sustain…undergo.

God, our CREATOR, will love us with a love that will endure forever!

Give thanks to him who alone does mighty miracles. His faithful love endures forever.
Give thanks to him who made the heavens so skillfully. His faithful love endures forever.
Give thanks to him who placed the earth among the waters.
His faithful love endures forever.
Give thanks to him who made the heavenly lights – His faithful love endures forever. – Psalm 136:4-7

God, our PROTECTOR, will love us with a love that will endure forever!

Give thanks to him who killed the firstborn of Egypt. His faithful love endures forever.
He brought Israel out of Egypt. His faithful love endures forever.
He acted with a strong hand and powerful arm. His faithful love endures forever.
Give thanks to him who parted the Red Sea. His faithful love endures forever.
He led Israel safely through, His faithful love endures forever. – Psalm 136:10-14

God, our PROVIDER, will love us with a love that will endure forever!

Do you get that? Are you letting that completely soak in and saturate your being this morning? Don’t let a phrase you have heard over and over again in your life lose its meaning. Take hold of this promise for today – HIS FAITHFUL LOVE ENDURES FOREVER!

He remembered us in our weakness. His faithful love endures forever.
He saved us from our enemies. His faithful love endures forever.
He gives food to every living thing. His faithful love endures forever.
Give thanks to the God of heaven. His faithful love endures forever. – Psalm 136:23-26

I give thanks, O Lord, with all my heart;
I will sing your praises before the gods.
I bow before your Holy Temple as I worship.
I praise your name for your unfailing love and faithfulness;
for your promises are backed by all the honor of your name.

Though I am surrounded by troubles, you will protect me from the anger of my enemies.
You reach out your hand, and the power of your right hand saves me.
The Lord will work out his plans for my life – for your faithful love, O Lord, endures forever.
Don’t abandon me, for you made me. – Psalm 138

The love of God suffers patiently for me. The God who created me will not abandon me because He loves me with a love that will endure forever. His love is strong and can bear with me through my struggles because it is a love that will endure forever – a love that protects and provides. The Lord will work out HIS plans for my life. He will part the “Red Seas” and bring me out of my “Egypt”. He will remember me in my weakness and provide for me according to His plan for my life.

His faithful love endures forever.

The world is especially quiet this morning. A beautiful blanket of sparkly snow covers everything outside, which means it is a snow day. Schools have been cancelled and it seems as if the world is sleeping in. There are no cars passing by. All is quiet. The snow is so beautiful, so peaceful, so quiet. Yet with the beauty of this snow comes a fear and the reality of dangerous road conditions and extreme cold temperatures.

I am reminded this morning that life is very much like a fresh snow fall. It is absolutely beautiful and full of the potential for fun, but it also comes with its fears. Just like driving on an icy surface, there is fear of that feeling of being out of control – when life is happening to you and, no matter which way you turn the steering wheel, your life seems to be spinning the wrong direction.

It is in these moments that we turn our eyes to the Lord. We cry out for His help and we place our family and our life in His hands.

I look up to the mountains – does my help come from there?
My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth!

The Lord keeps you from all harm and watches over your life.
The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever. – Psalm 121

What a wonderful God we serve! I love this picture of God watching over me, providing a protective shade. What if He did sleep? What if He did not watch over us protectively? As a mother, I can drive myself crazy in a matter of a few minutes if I let my mind go to the “what if’s” in life. I consciously let myself rest and stop my mind from considering the “what if’s”. It is better for me to relax in the reality that I serve a God I can count on – a God I can trust.

What if the Lord had not been on our side?
Let all Israel repeat:
What if the Lord had not been on our side when people attacked us?
They would have swallowed us alive in their burning anger.
The waters would have engulfed us; a torrent would have overwhelmed us.
Yes, the raging waters of their fury would have overwhelmed our very lives.

Praise the Lord, who did not let their teeth tear us apart!
We escaped like a bird from a hunter’s trap.
The trap is broken, and we are free!
Our help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. – Psalm 124

Yes, the Lord has done amazing things for us! What joy! – Psalm 126:3

From the depths of despair, O Lord, I call for your help.
Hear my cry, O Lord.
Pay attention to my prayer.

O Israel, hope in the Lord; for with the Lord there is unfailing love.
His redemption overflows.
He himself will redeem Israel from every kind of sin. – Psalm 130

I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. – Psalm 119:11

I have heard this verse a thousand times. I memorized it as a child and have sung the words, recited the words, and used the words to encourage others. I read it again this morning and it is fresh and new. Isn’t God incredible?!! His word is living and active. Even the scriptures we have known all our lives come alive to us at different times. We go from “Yeah, yeah, I’ve heard that before” to “Wow, I never thought of it that way!”

So what is this revelation to my heart? Holiness – I hide God’s word in my heart so that I can live out the holiness He is calling me to. His word is a lamp unto my feet on this journey of holiness; a light unto my path (Psalm 119:105).

Help me understand the meaning of your commandments,
and I will meditate on your wonderful deeds.
I weep with sorrow; encourage me by your word.
Keep me from lying to myself; give me the privilege of knowing your instructions…
Teach me your decrees, O Lord; I will keep them to the end.
Give me understanding and I will obey your instructions;
I will put them into practice with all my heart.
Make me walk along the path of your commands, for this is where my happiness is found.
Give me an eagerness for your laws rather than a love for money!
Turn my eyes from worthless things, and give me life through your word.
Reassure me of your promise, made to those who fear you.
Help me abandon my shameful ways; for your regulations are good.
I long to obey your commandments!
Renew my life with your goodness. – Psalm 119: 33-40

God’s word encourages me when I am sad.
God’s word reveals truth to me when I am trying to convince myself of what I want to be true.
God’s word reminds me of the value in God’s plan.
God’s word reassures me of His promises and I am renewed!

God has done more than just hand us His word. He continues to use His word to teach us and to give us understanding. Obedience comes from these teaching moments and these teaching moments create more obedience. We walk along the path of holiness and we find happiness in following God’s ways.

How I delight in your commands!
I love them! – Psalm 119:47

Let’s join the psalmist in his love song of commitment to the God of holiness.

Lord, you are mine!
I promise to obey your words!
With all my heart I want your blessings.
Be merciful as you promised.
I pondered the direction of my life, and I turned to follow your laws.
I will hurry, without delay, to obey your commands.
Evil people try to drag me into sin, but I am firmly anchored to your instructions.
I rise at midnight to thank you for your just regulations.
I am a friend to anyone who fears you – anyone who obeys your commandments.
O Lord, your unfailing love fills the earth; teach me your decrees. – Psalm 119:57-64

You made me; you created me.
Now give me the sense to follow your commands…
For I have put my hope in your word…
Now let your unfailing love comfort me, just as you promised me, your servant.
Surround me with your tender mercies so I may live,
for your instructions are my delight…
My eyes are straining to see your promises come true. – Psalm 119:73-77,82

Oh, how I love your instructions!
I think about them all day long.
Your commands make me wiser than my enemies, for they are my constant guide.
Yes, I have more insight…I am even wiser…
Your commandments give me understanding… – Psalm 119:97-104

Your laws are my treasure; they are my heart’s delight…
Your word is my source of hope – Psalm 119:111,114b

I love the Lord because he hears my voice and my prayer for mercy.
Because he bends down to listen, I will pray as long as I have breath! – Psalm 116:1-2

He loves you and He hears you. There is nothing going on in your life that He is unaware of – no detail missed by Him. He is bending down and listening. Enter into His presence and share your heart with Him. You will find kindness and mercy. THE LORD IS FOR YOU!

Then I called on the name of the Lord: “Please save me!”
How kind the Lord is! How good he is!
So merciful, this God of ours.
The Lord protects those of childlike faith;
I was facing death, and he saved me.
Let my soul be at rest again, for the Lord has been good to me.
He has saved me from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling.
And so I walk in the Lord’s presence as I live here on earth!
I believe in you, so I said, “I am deeply troubled, Lord.” – Psalm 116:4-10

In my distress I prayed to the Lord, and the Lord answered me and set me free.
THE LORD IS FOR ME, so I will have no fear.
What can mere people do to me?
Yes, THE LORD IS FOR ME; he will help me.
I will look in triumph at those who hate me.
It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in people.
It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes. – Psalm 118:5-9

God is for you! He is aware of everything going on and loves you deeply. It is better to go to Him and take refuge than to look to other people for answers. It is better to go to Him and take refuge than to trust in earthly authority and leadership. When we enter into His presence and pray to Him, bending down to listen He answers us. He saves us from death. He wipes the tears from our eyes and keeps our feet from stumbling.

Light shines in the darkness for the godly… – Psalm 112:4a

He lifts the poor from the dust and the needy form the garbage dump.
He sets them among princes, even the princes of his own people!
He gives the childless woman a family, making her a happy mother. – Psalm 113:7-9

We serve a God who sees the hurts and needs of His people. He reaches down and cares for them through the generous love of the godly. He creates in them a natural desire to be generous with others. It is through us that God meets the needs of others. It is through others that God meets our needs.

Light shines in the darkness for the godly.
They are generous, compassionate and righteous.
Good comes to those who lend money generously and conduct their business fairly.
Such people will not be overcome by evil.
Those who are righteous will be long remembered.
They do not fear bad news:
They confidently trust the Lord to care for them.
They are confident and fearless and can face their foes triumphantly.
They share freely and give generously to those in need.
Their good deeds will be remembered forever.
They will have influence and honor. – Psalm 112:4-9

Let us draw into God’s presence and take refuge in Him so that He can strengthen us and prepare us to be His hands and feet in the lives of others. THE LORD IS FOR YOU! Until we have entered into His presence and allowed Him to heal us and fill us with His Spirit, we are not ready to help others. We need to first go to Him and then allow Him to send us.

Open for me the gates where the righteous enter, and I will go in and thank the Lord.
These gates lead to the presence of the Lord, and the godly enter there.
I thank you for answering my prayer and giving me victory!…

This is the day the Lord has made.
We will rejoice and be glad in it. – Psalm 118:19-21, 24