Weekend Words

 From Be Still and Know...

"Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness; thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress; have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer." (Psalm 4:1)

David lived within calling distance of God.  In time of need he lifted his SUPPLICATIONS to God.  He recognized that out of his distress good could come.  "You have freed me when I was hemmed in and enlarged me when I was in distress; have mercy upon me and hear my prayer" ((Amplified).  Someone has said, "God allowed David to be in distress for He wanted to make him a bigger man for bigger tasks."

God had SET APART David for His own.  "But know that the Lord hath set apart him that is godly for Himself "(Psalm 4:3).  God has set us apart, too, for Himself, not because of who we are or what we are, but because of what we can become in Christ.

David could have become bitter, thinking of his foes.  Instead, he said, "Stand in awe, and sin not, commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be STILL" (v.4).  As he became still within, he could hear God's gentle whisperings to him during the night watches.

David recognized the SECURITY of trusting the Lord.  "Put your trust in the Lord" (v.5).  People may forsake you, circumstances may change.  But God never forsakes.  We can trust Him at all times.

In spite of his troubles, David experienced a SATISFIED HEART, one filled with God-given gladness.  "Yes, the gladness you have given me is far greater than their joys at harvest time as they gaze at their bountiful crops" (Psalm 4:7 LB).  Too often we look for joy and gladness in prosperity.  But the gladness David wrote about had its source in God.  It is a "more than" gladness in the midst of trials, a gladness dependent on God.

Trusting God, he could say, "I will lie down in peace and sleep, for though I am alone, O Lord, you will keep me safe." (v. 8 LB).

Regardless of our problems today, our hearts can be filled with a God-given gladness that completely satisfies.

From Women's Devotional Bible NIV...

In the late 1800' Mrs Louisa M. R. Stead watched as her husband died while trying to save a drowning boy.  This familiar hymn was written as a response to her struggle with the "why?' questions she asked God during that difficult time.

'Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus, Just to take Him at His word,

Just to rest upon His promise, Just to know, "Thus saith the Lord."

I'm so glad I learned to trust thee, Precious Jesus, Saviour, Friend;

And I know that thou art with me, Wilt be with me to the end.

Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him! How I've proved Him o'er and o'er!

Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus! O for grace to trust Him more!

- Louisa M. R. Stead

This morning I watched the BBC Songs of Praise program.  

This was one of the songs.  

Such beautiful words...