24th January 2024
Meditation Verse: Psalm 4 “The Lord hears when I call to Him.”
It has taken me many years to accept the truth of this verse. I used to think “God is really busy, why would He listen to me?” but the amazing truth is that He hears us, I think particularly when we call out in need and distress. Further down the Psalm in verse 8 it says:
“In peace I will lie down and sleep,
for you alone, Lord,
make me dwell in safety.”
This makes me think immediately of Psalm 23,
“The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
3 he refreshes my soul.”
So, not only does He listen, but He restores our soul too! In these wintry January days, I don’t have difficulty imagining the peacefulness and delight of walking next to a gentle stream in the spring sunlight. I pray you may have this same blessing this week.
Sometimes I like to think back on a golden oldie for encouragement:
“What a friend we have in Jesus
All our sins and griefs to bear
What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit
O what needless pain we bear
All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer
Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged
Take it to the Lord in prayer
Can we find a friend so faithful
Who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness
Take it to the Lord in prayer”
(Joseph M. Scriven)