I always write my prayers of concerns, worries, cares and praises in a journal each morning before I dive into what God’s Word teaches me.  Concerns about others’ troubles or those in my family pour out on the pages.  What people are going through as well as myself are expressed to Abba Father.  Sometimes tears come.  Sometimes a heavy sigh fills the quiet of the hour.  When encouraged by the end of my lament, a hearty YES! to God is said out loud!  I am encouraged by God’s love.  I am encouraged by what God has done in the past, is doing and will do in my life as a result of what He has done for others I read about in His Word. 

No matters what is happening to you right now, what you are feeling about life or the confusion you are experiencing that leads to stress, David reminds us, “Disciples so often get into trouble; still, God is there every time.”  Seek God voice in His word.

Worship and Wisdom, Psalms and Proverbs

Psalm 34, The Message

A David Psalm, When He Outwitted Abimelech and Got Away

34 I bless God every chance I get;
my lungs expand with his praise.

² I live and breathe God;
if things aren’t going well, hear this and be happy:

³ Join me in spreading the news;
together let’s get the word out.

⁴ God met me more than halfway,
he freed me from my anxious fears.

⁵ Look at him; give him your warmest smile.
Never hide your feelings from him.

⁶ When I was desperate, I called out,
and God got me out of a tight spot.

⁷ God’s angel sets up a circle
of protection around us while we pray.

⁸ Open your mouth and taste, open your eyes and see—
how good God is.
Blessed are you who run to him.

⁹ Worship God if you want the best;
worship opens doors to all his goodness.

¹⁰ Young lions on the prowl get hungry,
but God-seekers are full of God.

¹¹ Come, children, listen closely;
I’ll give you a lesson in God worship.

¹² Who out there has a lust for life?
Can’t wait each day to come upon beauty?

¹³ Guard your tongue from profanity,
and no more lying through your teeth.

¹⁴ Turn your back on sin; do something good.
Embrace peace—don’t let it get away!

¹⁵ God keeps an eye on his friends,
his ears pick up every moan and groan.

¹⁶ God won’t put up with rebels;
he’ll cull them from the pack.

¹⁷ Is anyone crying for help? God is listening,
ready to rescue you.

¹⁸ If your heart is broken, you’ll find God right there;
if you’re kicked in the gut, he’ll help you catch your breath.

¹⁹ Disciples so often get into trouble;
still, God is there every time.

²⁰ He’s your bodyguard, shielding every bone;
not even a finger gets broken.

²¹ The wicked commit slow suicide;
they waste their lives hating the good.

²² God pays for each slave’s freedom;
no one who runs to him loses out.

TRUTH: “Still, God is there every time.”  God seekers find God.  He listens to every groan and sigh as well as every word we think and say inside or out loud.  God knows.  Still, God is there.  God brings resolution and peace when we ask.  So, ask.

Solomon gives advice on the ways of God.  God is One and Only One to be trusted.

Proverb 15:16-28, The Message

A simple life in the Fear-of-God
    is better than a rich life with a ton of headaches.

¹⁷ Better a bread crust shared in love
    than a slab of prime rib served in hate.

¹⁸ Hot tempers start fights;
    a calm, cool spirit keeps the peace.

¹⁹ The path of lazy people is overgrown with briers;
    the diligent walk down a smooth road.

²⁰ Intelligent children make their parents proud;
    lazy students embarrass their parents.

²¹ The empty-headed treat life as a plaything;
    the perceptive grasp its meaning and make a go of it.

²² Refuse good advice and watch your plans fail;
    take good counsel and watch them succeed.

²³ Congenial conversation—what a pleasure!
    The right word at the right time—beautiful!

²⁴ Life ascends to the heights for the thoughtful—
    it’s a clean about-face from descent into hell.

²⁵ God smashes the pretensions of the arrogant;
    he stands with those who have no standing.

²⁶ God can’t stand evil scheming,
    but he puts words of grace and beauty on display.

²⁷ A greedy and grasping person destroys community;
    those who refuse to exploit live and let live.

²⁸ Prayerful answers come from God-loyal people;
    the wicked are sewers of abuse.

WISDOM:  Seek God.  With God is a life of grace and beauty, the right words at the right time, with clarity replacing confusion.  “Prayerful answers come from God-loyal people.

What do we learn?  God is God and we are not.  Why trust anyone else for help?  No matter what is happening, God is in control.  God hears us when we pray.  God is working while we are sleeping.  God already as a solution before we pray.  Still, God.

Abba Father,

What a wonder you are!  We cannot wrap our human minds around the majesty, power, intelligence, love, mercy and grace that you possess!  You want to give us all you have but we hold back from asking.  I don’t know why we do that!  Please forgive me when I try to figure out everything by myself.  I want you.  I need you every hour.  Thank you for coming to my aid when I am in trouble.  Thank you for clarity when the world causes confusion of thought.  Thank you for caring for those I care about.  Thank you for hearing my cries of help and proclamations of praise to you.  Thank you for running to meet me when I turned and began my journey with you.  Keep my eyes on You.  You are indeed still, God.

In Jesus Name, Amen