We’ve got your daily encouragement, written by Jacob Reed.
Bible Reading:
“Praise the Lord! For he has heard my cry for mercy. The Lord is my strength and shield. I trust him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving. The Lord gives his people strength. He is a safe fortress for his anointed king. Save your people! Bless Israel, your special possession. Lead them like a shepherd, and carry them in your arms forever.”
Psalms 28:6-9
Word:
I was weary. I needed quiet. I needed rest. I was in that place, I’m sure we’ve all been in, where I was resentful of everyone around me for all the noise they were making, the traffic, the men working on the grass near the creek I was walking by. I just wanted them to go away! And let me be in peace!
As I was walking along the sidewalk I felt God dealing with me about these feelings. I had that thought:
“God, just let me think like this, resenting everyone, and dwell on my restlessness. I know it’s wrong, I know it’s not what you’ve called me to, but just let me do it for a little while.”
This is when He told me to go sit on some rocks near the base of a bridge. I know His voice, but I thought I could get away with just standing at the railing of the bridge instead of being exactly where He wanted me. I know from experience that when I don’t follow the Spirits instructions exactly, it is never good. So I went down the hill and sat on the rocks.
I closed my eyes and instantly felt His conviction, not condemnation, but conviction. “Where is your joy? I have called you to joy. If you, who have had the veil removed (2 Cor. 3:18) do not reflect me, who will?”
When I thought about that, I grabbed my phone and pulled up this passage from Psalm 28 that I had bookmarked the day before. The words, “My heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving,” stirred my soul. I was filled with joy and thanksgiving to God that He did not leave me in that bad mood I was in. He stopped me, out of love, to teach me something.
Another part of this passage spoke to me. “Lead them like a shepherd and carry them in your arms forever.” When I think of God as a shepherd I think of Psalms 23, “ He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.”
This is what God did as my shepherd that day. He MADE me stop where I was at. Literally beside still waters. And He restored my soul. It’s in a moment like this I can be grateful for His love for me and I know He WILL carry me in His arms forever.
Prayer:
God, thank You for being my strength and my shield. I give you my gratitude. Shepherd me as I listen for your voice, in quiet and in the noise around me. In your name I pray, amen!
Skillwork:
Take on Gratitude today. Listen for the opportunity to be lead by Him to deeper understanding and then be exactly where he wants you to be.
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