Corona Devo 3232

Not to get too personal, but the other night,  I was in pain.  The point and cause of my pain matter not, because (even in my personal discomfort), I thought of so many others (and some of you), dealing with far worse, and persevering through chronic issues of pain and suffering (and not just one night.)  But still, I was disheveled physically, and struggling emotionally because of it.  And the agitation was such that I could not sleep.  

At 3:30 AM, wide-awake from pain, I left my bed and came downstairs. 

What do we do when life seems unbearable?  
It might be pain that we can no longer muster, or sorrow that is too much to shoulder.  
What do we do in those horrible moments and hours?  What can we do?   

I grabbed my Bible and sat down on the couch.  Psalm 145 was today's reading.  

What do we do when we can't handle life anymore and we don't know what to do?  

I will exalt you, my God and King, and praise your name forever and ever. (2) I will praise you every day; yes, I will praise you forever.  ~Psalm 145:1-2

God has a message for us today: Whether we are writhing in pain...in the lap of luxury...or somewhere in between: He is worthy of our praise.  Today and forever and ever. 

Our circumstances do not (and will not ever) trump the attention and honor that God deserves.  Pain or victory today: let's praise Him.

I will exalt you, my God and King, and praise your name forever and ever. (2) I will praise you every day; yes, I will praise you forever.  ~Psalm 145:1-2

 ~~~

Awake and burdened in the middle of the night, or being doted on by the Lord's unique and personalized blessings over us...God is unchanging and always worthy of our praise.  

I sat on my couch with teeth gritted in pain, but still, I spoke God's Word into existence and into myself.  This is why God gives us the Bible.  

Say it aloud with me:

(3) Great is the Lord! 

He is most worthy of praise!  

No one can measure his greatness. 

(4) Let each generation tell its children of your mighty acts; let them proclaim your power. 

(5) I will meditate on your majestic, glorious splendor and your wonderful miracles. 

(6) Your awe-inspiring deeds will be on every tongue; I will proclaim your greatness. 

 (7) Everyone will share the story of your wonderful goodness; they will sing with joy about your righteousness.  ~Psalm 145:3-7

The Lord is reminding us today that our pain/our joy/our physical abilities (and disabilities)/our greatest achievements...pale in comparison to Him.  

There is no (unhealthy) pride in God demonstrating this to us...only Truth.  And if we can stop focusing on our limits and hardships long enough to realize/see/experience that...it changes everything for us.  

Yes, we struggle here on earth at times (and I was struggling the other night/early morning), but as I read the Bible out loud, something (not magical), but spiritual happened.  I began to struggle less.  

When we place our gaze on God, we cease our self-focus, and things change because our perspective shifts from me to my King.

My heart and soul were softening and relaxing.  And as we continue to read Psalm 145...so is God's:

(8) The Lord is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. 

(9) The Lord is good to everyone.  He showers compassion on all his creation. 

(10) All of your works will thank you, Lord, and your faithful followers will praise you. 

(11) They will speak of the glory of your kingdom; they will give examples of your power.

(12) They will tell about your mighty deeds and about the majesty and glory of your reign. 

(13) 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. 

(14) The Lord helps the fallen and lifts those bent beneath their loads. 

(15) The eyes of all look to you in hope; you give them their food as they need it. 

(16) When you open your hand, you satisfy the hunger and thirst of every living thing.  ~Psalm 145:8-16

I read every word aloud.  At first not fully believing and then fully believing.  There is power in the Word of God, Brothers and Sisters in Christ.  Power. 

And God speaks with intention and purpose to us through His Word.  I felt Him as I read, "The Lord helps the fallen and lifts those bent beneath their loads" (Psalm 145:14).

I had fallen.  I was bent beneath my load.

The Lord helps us today, Friends.  He lifts us through His Word and His Spirit.

~~~

As I neared the end of Psalm 145, I was feeling better.  It might have been exhaustion, or my mind playing tricks, but I didn't feel the pain anymore.  I felt peace.  God's peace.  

I fell asleep sitting up on the couch with my Bible in my lap. 

I woke around sunrise with my worried husband standing in front of me...and as we chatted, I realized that my pain was gone. Could it be?

The infection remained, and an early-morning doctor's visit began the treatment for my body, but the Lord had already ministered to my Spirit through His Word, the Bible.  

And truth-be-told, after my time with God on the couch in reading Psalm 145, I did not feel the pain that had been bombarding me in bed again.  

(17) The Lord is righteous in everything he does; he is filled with kindness. 

(18) The Lord is close to all who call on him, yes, to all who call on him in truth. 

(19) He grants the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cries for help and rescues them.

(20) The Lord protects all those who love him, but he destroys the wicked. 

(21) I will praise the Lord, and may everyone on earth bless his holy name forever and ever.  ~Psalm 145:17-21

~~~

What do we do when we can't handle life anymore and we don't know what to do?  

God has a message for us today: Whether we are writhing in pain, or in the lap of luxury, or somewhere in between: He is worthy of our praise.  Today and forever and ever.

Pain or victory today: let's praise Him.

I will exalt you, my God and King, and praise your name forever and ever. (2) I will praise you every day; yes, I will praise you forever.  ~Psalm 145:1-2

Blessings,

sarah 

https://sarahsundy04.blogspot.com


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