CRYING OUT & PRAISING HIM
One of our favorite sayings at Rooted: “nothing is ironic.” In early December my daily Bible reading had me in Psalm. When I got to Psalm I remember sighing a little and thought about skipping it. I was ready to get to Isaiah and Jeremiah because I love those books but I stayed on course. Little did I know at the time but God had me right where I needed to be.
#Healwaysknows #nothingisironic
Between December 25th and January 14th I walked through an extremely difficult season. Sickness had afflicted many in my family, my mother was battling pneumonia in the hospital, and words were spoken that know one ever wants to hear. Over a span of two weeks each day literally resulted in another complication, another setback, and more tears. But yet every morning as I opened my Bible I was met by the Holy Spirit as I read the words of these beautiful psalms. For sure nothing was ironic.
David wrote seventy three of the psalms during his time of extreme suffering. And yet even on the days of his deepest and darkest despair he praised God, he thanked God, and he acknowledged who God was. In my darkest hour, through the moments where I thought “how can I possibly get through this day?” – I was reminded through Psalm that God is all-powerful. He is sovereign over every situation. And I began praying the words of David and the other authors because I knew I had been led right to these very words.
“Oh Lord, listen to my cry for my loved ones. Lord, hear my plea. I love you Lord, you are my strength and I know you are always with me. You are my rock and my fortress and when I run to you with this broken heart that is crushing under the weight of reality I find my place of safety. Because of you I can find light in my darkness. I will not be shaken, for I know You are right beside me and I trust in your unfailing love. Lord bring healing if that is your will. I put all my trust in you Lord because you are my God. I praise You even though life is hard. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You are the great King of all the Earth.”
On the morning of June 30th, 2021 I woke up and felt the Holy Spirit leading me to Psalm 34. I remember at the time thinking, “Psalm 34….well that is odd.” But I followed that quiet whisper and spent several days reading Psalm 34 over and over. “I will praise the Lord at ALL times. I will constantly speak his praises. I will boast only in the Lord; let all who are helpless take heart. Come, let us tell of the Lord’s greatness; let us exalt his name together.” And then on January 4th, 2022, nearly 6 months later, Psalm 34 was right back in front of me. And as I read my note from June 30th tears flowed like a river down my face. God had already been preparing me.
I urge you – if you are walking through a season of suffering and pain pick up your Bible and start reading Psalm. Read it, and read it, and read it. We learn from the Bible some of life’s most important lessons as we journey through the trials:
We can cry out to God even in our darkest moments.
God’s children are not immune from suffering.
As we are hurting, keep praising His name.
Trusting God is trading all our fears for faith in Him and His plan.
Keep telling others of His greatness; don’t keep it hidden in your heart.
On January 14, 2022 by the grace of God my mother came home from the hospital. That morning my reading had been Psalm 61. I went back and read it that evening. God had heard our prayers as our hearts were overwhelmed and as we cried out for help. He had led us all to a place of safety because He alone is our refuge. God had stretched out His wings so that we could find shelter as we surrendered whatever outcome was to come to Him. How great is our God!
“Oh Lord, my God. When I, in awesome wonder. Consider all the worlds Thy hands have made. I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder. Thy power throughout the universe displayed. Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee. How great Thou art, how great Thou art! Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee. How great Thou art, how great Thou art.”
Love,
Heather and Lisa
