Psalm 18

Frustrated. Weary. Discouraged. Confused. Overwhelmed. These are words that describe me.

This morning the Lord directed my attention back to Psalm 18. What a triumphant passage of Scripture! Just what I need to help me persevere through this season of life. Meditating on this wonderful Psalm this afternoon, I looked through my pictures and found several from a family trip to Pictured Rocks along the coast of Lake Superior, in Munising, Michigan. These collages assist me in visualizing some of the concepts in Psalm 18.

Paraphrasing David’s song of praise, first I list God’s attributes: He is LORD, my strength (v1); my rock, my fortress, my deliverer, my shield, the horn of my salvation, my stronghold (v2); worthy to be praised (v3); my God (v6); Most High (v13); my support (v18); merciful, blameless (v25); pure, shrewd (26); a shield (v30). Awesome repertoire, there!

Then I search what God did for David/promises to do for me:

• Save me from my enemies (v.3)
• Hear my voice and my cry (v.6)
• Draw me out of many waters (v.16)
• Deliver me from my strong enemy (v17)
• Bring me out into a broad place (v.19)
• Deliver me (v.19, 47, 48)
• Delight in me (v.19)
• Reward me according to my righteousness (v20)
• Recompense me (v20)
• Save the humble (v27)
• Bring down haughty looks (v27)
• Light my lamp (v28)
• Enlighten my darkness (v28)
• Enable me to run against a troop (v29)
• Enable me to leap over a wall (v29)
• Arm me with strength (v32)
• Make my way perfect (v32)
• Make my feet like the feet of deer (v33)
• Set me on high places (v33)
• Teach my hands to make war (v34)
• Enable my arms to bend a bow of bronze (v34)
• Give me the shield of His salvation (v35)
• Hold me up by His right hand (v35)
• Make me great by his gentleness (v35)
• Enlarge my path under me (v36)
• Keep my feet from slipping (v36)
• Enable me to gain victory over my enemies (v37-42)
• Arm me with strength (v39)
• Subdue those who rise up against me (v39)
• Avenge me (v47)
• Lift me up (v48)
• Show mercy to His anointed (v50)

Next, I identify what David did/what I am supposed to do:

• Love the LORD (v1)
• Call upon the LORD (v3,6)
• Keep the ways of the LORD (v.21)
• Not depart from my God (v.21)
• Keep His judgments before me (v.22)
• Keep myself blameless and free from iniquity before Him (v.23)
• Trust in Him (v30)
• Give thanks to the LORD among the Gentiles (v.49)
• Sing praises to His name (v.49)

Wow. That really puts things into perspective. As I love the LORD, call upon Him, keep His ways, and trust in Him, He promises to fight the battles for me. He will strengthen me, equip me, and enable me to overcome. He will deliver me and give me the victory. How much there is for which to praise Him!

Frosty Leaves

Here's what I noticed when I walked out to my car this morning. . . .

Reading Corner: Pieces: A Year in Poems and Quilts

Pieces: A Year in Poems and Quilts by Anna Grossnickle-Hines. This book is exquisite! The tongue-tickling poems about enjoying the seasons are accompanied by breath-takingly beautiful quilt illustrations.

Thankful Thursday

Oh, give thanks to the LORD! Call upon His name; make known His deeds among the peoples! (I Chronicles 16:8)

Today is Thankful Thursday #2! This week I am thanking God especially for . . .

(1) Verity friends. Peter and I drove to Indianapolis last weekend to attend the annual Harvest Fest at Verity. It was a special reunion. How blessed we are to have so many wonderful friends. It was fun to catch up with a number of them.

(2) reliable transportation. Over the years Peter and I have made the trip to and from Indy dozens of times and never once have we had car trouble. Many thanks to our dad who keeps all of our vehicles well-maintained and filled with gas.


(3) my Nikon Coolpix. I've had my camera for about a month and a half now, and I absolutely love it! I'm delighted to finally have a small point-and-shoot camera to take with me wherever I go. Many of the nature photographs I've been posting here on my blog these past few weeks have been taken with my Coolpix.

(4) tissues. Fighting a head cold this week, I really appreciate tissues! They're one of those little conveniences in life that make a big difference.

(5) my Macbook. I've had my trusty laptop since March 2007. What a trooper it has been for all the graduate papers I've written, photos I've edited, websites I've searched, etc. I'm hoping it continues to hold up for many more months!

Reading Corner: M is for Majestic

M is for Majestic: A National Parks Alphabet by David Domeniconi, illustrated by Pam Carrol is a beautiful and inspiring book. "Mighy mountains, wild rivers, fiery volcanoes, huge glaciers, vast forests, and tropical islands—all part of our national parks, that belong to you and me. This magnificent ABC book showcases each of America's national parks from Acadia and American Samoa to Yosemite and Zion" (from the inside jacket).

Reading Corner: Paul Revere's Ride

Paul Revere's Ride by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, illustrated by Ted Rand is a classic.

"Listen, my children, and you shall hear
Of the midnight ride of Paul Revere . . .

"So begins one of the most stirring poems in American literature, brought vividly to life. . . Ted Rand's moonlit vision captures the swift, rhythmic gait of Longfellow's words and the drama of Revere's brave ride as he gallops from town to farm, sounding the call to rise and arm against the British. . . . The mixture of history, art, and poetry results in a book as gorgeous to behold as its message is inspiring to all who love freedom" (from the inside jacket).

He Knows My Path

This past weekend Peter and I drove to Indianapolis to attend the annual Harvest Fest at Verity. What a special time catching up with dozens of old friends! On Saturday afternoon I slipped away from the festivities on campus to go for a private prayer-walk/photo-shoot at one of my favorite places, the nearby South-Eastway Park. I just needed some quiet time to process, reflect, seek perspective about a lot of things. How assuring it is to know that God knows my path (see Psalm 142:3 and Job 23:10).