“Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you.
Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life.” Psalm 143:8

There are days like yesterday and the day before that were confusing, hurtful, and discouraging because of the words and actions of others coupled with the tiredness from enormous tasks that needed to be done. When days like this come with dark clouds hanging overhead; I pray the words of Psalm 143. 

When I can’t form the right words to pray to tell God of all the reasons in my thinking that is ailing my heart and causing my broken spirit; I pray this Psalm of David, asking for the help of His Holy Spirit.  Peace comes first as I humbly cry out to God who hears and sees me.  Then I watch and listen throughout the day as God does indeed let me know how much He loves and cares for me as I trust in Him.  Our God never fails in His love for us.  God is our Deliverer. God is our Healer of temporary heartbreaks and broken spirits. God is our Savior that redeems us and makes us brand new again—all because of Jesus’ sacrifice on our behalf.

My day completely flipped to joy in all circumstances. Help and encouragement came from unexpected people who knew God and His Word. Tears of joy were shed.  I learned once again that when we cling to the Vine as our Life Source, we “branches” are nourished daily by God in awesome, delightful, and loving ways. 

Thank God. Trust God. Rinse and repeat! 

Psalm 9

^1-2 I’m thanking you, God, from a full heart,
    I’m writing the book on your wonders.
I’m whistling, laughing, and jumping for joy;
    I’m singing your song, High God.

^3-4 The day my enemies turned tail and ran,
    they stumbled on you and fell on their faces.
You took over and set everything right;
    when I needed you, you were there, taking charge.

^5-6 You blow the whistle on godless nations;
    you throw dirty players out of the game,
    wipe their names right off the roster.
Enemies disappear from the sidelines,
    their reputation trashed,
    their names erased from the halls of fame.

^7-8 God holds the high center,
    he sees and sets the world’s mess right.
He decides what is right for us earthlings,
    gives people their just deserts.

^9-10 God’s a safe-house for the battered,
    a sanctuary during bad times.
The moment you arrive, you relax;
    you’re never sorry you knocked.

^11-12 Sing your songs to Zion-dwelling God,
    tell his stories to everyone you meet:
How he tracks down killers
    yet keeps his eye on us,
    registers every whimper and moan.

^13-14 Be kind to me, God;
    I’ve been kicked around long enough.
Once you’ve pulled me back
    from the gates of death,
I’ll write the book on Hallelujahs;
    on the corner of Main and First
    I’ll hold a street meeting;
I’ll be the song leader; we’ll fill the air
    with salvation songs.

^15-16 They’re trapped, those godless countries,
    in the very snares they set,
Their feet all tangled
    in the net they spread.
They have no excuse;
    the way God works is well-known.
The shrewd machinery made by the wicked
    has maimed their own hands.

^17-20 The wicked bought a one-way
    ticket to hell.
No longer will the poor be nameless—
    no more humiliation for the humble.
Up, God! Aren’t you fed up with their empty strutting?
    Expose these grand pretensions!
Shake them up, God!
    Show them how silly they look.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

“Trust in God” by Elevation Worship is another “psalm/song” playing in the background of my mind over the past few days. This song declares that God is a Savior who never fails, acting as a “fourth man in the fire”. This trust is rooted in God’s proven ability to hear prayers, answer in times of trouble, and bring victory, as seen in Isaiah 12:2.

God was/is/and always will be the reliable foundation who sustains believers through every trial. And when He does, we pray we cannot help but shout out words of thanksgiving and praise to One who is able, the One who never fails, the One who hears and sees us when we pray and provides exactly what He knows we need most! 

Psalm 9 is a song of responding to God’s goodness and provision in our lives with humbled thanksgiving. We learn from David to recall who God is and all that God does and continues to do in our lives with shouts of praise!  David, who loved God with all his heart, mind, and soul, was inspired often to give God all the glory!  David trusted and God delivered him over and over again!

When God hears our prayers and shows up in miraculous ways to deliver us with encouragement with blessings of His love to us; is thanks and praise to Him our first though and response? 

“I sought the Lord and He heard, and He answered
I sought the Lord and He heard, and He answered
I sought the Lord and He heard, and He answered
That’s why I trust Him, that’s why I trust Him” …

This bridge to “Trust in God” refers to Jeremiah 29:11-14 who reassured God’s people during their exile due to disobedience to God;  “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the Lord, and will bring you back from captivity.’” 

Trust God, He knows what He’s doing!

Lord,

Thank you for hearing our cries for help with humbled hearts of surrender. Thank you for Your Presence that is with us always. Thank you for people who are used by you to encourage us. Thank you for using me to help others as others have helped me. Thank you for saving my soul. Thank you for cleansing my heart, renewing my mind, refreshing, and resetting my soul, and restoring the joy of your salvation at work in me.

In Jesus Name, AmenI sought the Lord, and He heard, and He answered—that