Sunday, January 29, 2012

Psalm 16

Sam asked me to share something with the teams last night, to encourage them as we prepare for the week ahead.

I shared Psalm 16, and talked about how this Psalm has carried me through various frustrations in my life.  I focused on a few particular verses.

"Keep me safe, O God, I've run for dear life to you.  I say to God, 'Be my lord' without you nothing makes sense.  My choice is you, God, first and only.  And now I find that I'm your choice!  You set me up with a house and a yard.  And then you made me your heir!  I'm happy from the inside out, and from the outside in, I'm firmly formed.  You canceled my ticket to hell - that's not my destination.  Now you've got my feet on the life path, all radiant from the shining of your face.  Ever since you took my hand, I'm on the right way."  (Psalm 16: 1-2, 5-6, 9-11)

I shared how God has not only called me to this work, but he has provided everything I need to do it.  Not everything I think I need.  But everything I need.  The goals or outcome of the job change along the way and thus some of what I may have needed truly is no longer needed.  But either way, God is not going to leave me hanging.

I shared that many times I have (and still do) think and act like I can do this work on my own.  I forget God, and move forward in my own strength. And then when things don't go as I had planned, I get upset, and hold God responsible.  My own strength has failed me and my own plans have confused me.  Yet, even in these moments, God is still sovereignly ensuring that any side-tracks I take eventually lead back to Him, and the far better plan and path he has designed for me.

2 comments:

Dave said...

so true! thanks for taking the time to share with us! The Psalms are awesome! I just absolutely love how Moses says in Psalm 90:10-12

The length of our days is seventy years—
or eighty, if we have the strength;
yet their span is but trouble and sorrow,
for they quickly pass, and we fly away.
Who knows the power of your anger?
For your wrath is as great as the fear that is due you.
Teach us to number our days aright,
that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

He may not have done much with the first 40 years of his life... but the last 40 were simply amazing as he drew so close to God! Gives me great joy to think my best years may be yet to come!

:D

Dani said...

Elizabeth, WOW I am so happy to have "found" you! :) I'm super interested in OneStory and have been doing a lot of internet searching about it... and hear searching too. :) I'm praying about so many things right now and I can't wait to just kinda' sit down and devour your blog because it looks amazing. I found it from one of your YouTube videos.
May GOD BLESS YOU as you tell the amazing story of Jesus!

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