Psalm 56:8

Staying in the Word is so important. I love seeing scriptures again that remind me of God's love. It's so pleasant, kind of like sifting through old photographs and finding those that bring back happy memories.

Psalm 56 was my devotion for today, and Psalm 56:8 tells me how special I am to God. He keeps track of everything that happens to me. All the hurts, the disappointments, the struggles, tbe failures, the times I felt alone, He was there and He remembers. My tears, and sometimes there were many, were so precious to Him that He kept them all--every single one--in His bottle. (He must have quite a storehouse, for He has not only mine but yours as well!)

He took those tears and with them the sting that caused them. I know He did, because sometimes I can't even remember them. I have looked back and felt that I've been so blessed, and wondered why God would give me such a life. I've felt that I had it so easy, nothing that could really be called a hardship. I've worried sometimes that I'm not doing what I should be or that I'm not worthy, so God doesn't give me what I would consider real trials. I've even shed tears about that. Then my husband has reminded me that there have been times: mother's Alzheimers and nursing home for years, father's cancer, losing them both within nine months, daughter's cancer at age 14, childrens' problems, illnesses and death of his parents, my own illness. He carried me through those times, and more, and took the tears. They're gone. All that's left are memories of His comfort and love.

How can I begin to thank you, Lord, for the amazing love you have for me? Thank you for caring enough for me to keep every tear and to write down all of my sorrows in Your book. You sustained me though those times, giving me comort, providing for my needs, and taking the hurt so that I don't feel it anymore. You love me so lavishly. Open my eyes and my heart, and use me to share Your love with others, that they might become aware of how much you love them. How I do love You, Lord. Amen.

John 8:18-22

In Matthew 8:18-22, the man, as he was determining to follow Jesus, asked to go bury his father first. But Jesus told him to "Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead." While this may seem strange and perhaps even cold to us, this is Jesus speaking, so the judgment and meaning must be righteous. Christ knows the heart, so perhaps the man was making excuses to delay following Christ. Whatever the reason, I do not question the Lord, but look to see what this says to me today.

Is my love for Christ above all other loves in my heart? Is He the Lord of my life? Do I seek to know Him and His will first? Do I put doing His will above pursuing my own?

Can I be honest in answering these questions? Do I really know the answers? It is difficult to look honestly at myself, to see the real me. Lord I say with the psalmist, "search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my thoughts" (Psalm 139:23). Then reveal me to myself, open my eyes and give me the desire and will to change what needs to be changed, that You might mold me into what you created me to be. I want You to be first in my life, but I am so weak in so many ways. Give me your strength. I thank You for Your unending love for me and will praise You on high all of my days.  Amen.

Hymn for today: Search Me, O God.

Psalm 53

"God looks down from heaven on the entire human race; he looks to see if anyone is truly wise, if anyone seeks God" (verse 2)

When God looks down and sees me, what does He see? Does He see a woman of prayer? Someone who comes to Him with all her cares? One who lays before Him her very life--all she does and desires? One who pleads with Him for the unsaved, the hurting, the abused, the hungry, the lonely? Or does He see a woman who comes to Him irregularly, often filling her time with activity and activities to the point where she fails to find time to share honestly with her best Friend?

Father, forgive my failure to spend time with you in prayer. It must hurt you so, and I know I certainly suffer myself. Please know that I love to share with you, to bring my burdens and my joys to you. I don't know why I let other things keep me away. I feel you close when I come close to you in prayer. Give me a greater hunger for prayer, Lord. Not only the quick, "thank you, Lord" or "help me, Lord," but the deep, friend-to-friend, child-to-Father conversations which bless us both--and others, as well. Thank you for bringing this message to me today, for caring enough to try to draw me closer. Thank you for answering my prayer. You are such an awesome God, and I love you so. Amen.

My reflections on this Psalm are a result of my devotions this morning from God's Prayer Book: The Power and Pleasure of Praying the Psalms by Ben Patterson.