As I've talked to young moms over the years, they've often shared the common concern that they have a hard time squeezing in quiet times. Being in this season myself, I understand the struggle. I've learned, however, that I am a much happier Mom and wife when I do find the time to sit before the Lord.
One of the residuals I've carried from reading Dietrich Bonhoeffer's works is the value of the Psalms. Bonhoeffer encouraged believers to read one Psalm a day as a prayer. In Visible Fellowship, took it one step further and encouraged believers to stop and pause three times a day in prayer and reflection. While I haven't squeezed in three times a day, I have begun to occasionally pause in the afternoon to read/pray a Psalm. It has been a wonderful mid-afternoon reminder and refresher to my day. I've been revolving around only one Psalm for the last month. It is so rich and full that it has provided a wonderful diving board into prayer and meditation. Below is Psalm 103 in the Amplified version. I will share some of my thoughts throughout.
3Who forgives [every one of] all your iniquities, Who heals [each one of] all your diseases,
This particular line is a wonderful reminder of the truth of the gospel and the beauty of what Jesus' death and resurrection purchased for us.
One of the residuals I've carried from reading Dietrich Bonhoeffer's works is the value of the Psalms. Bonhoeffer encouraged believers to read one Psalm a day as a prayer. In Visible Fellowship, took it one step further and encouraged believers to stop and pause three times a day in prayer and reflection. While I haven't squeezed in three times a day, I have begun to occasionally pause in the afternoon to read/pray a Psalm. It has been a wonderful mid-afternoon reminder and refresher to my day. I've been revolving around only one Psalm for the last month. It is so rich and full that it has provided a wonderful diving board into prayer and meditation. Below is Psalm 103 in the Amplified version. I will share some of my thoughts throughout.
1BLESS (AFFECTIONATELY, gratefully praise) the Lord, O my soul; and all that is [deepest] within me, bless His holy name!
I love the Amplified's explanation of the word bless, to be honest throughout the years I've had no idea how to "bless the Lord" so the words in the parentheses have helped guide me into blessing Him.
All that is "deepest" within me. There are places, thoughts, ideas in my heart that I've wanted to hide from the Lord. This Psalm has encouraged me to "bless" Him from every place. During my quiet prayers I'm learning to praise Him with all areas.
2Bless (affectionately, gratefully praise) the Lord, O my soul, and forget not [one of] all His benefits-
I love the idea "to forget not one of all His benefits." Again, in my daily prayers through this Psalm it has been fun to pause and reflect on a singular benefit of loving the Lord. There are so many, thus another reason why I've been able to sit so long in this Psalm.
3Who forgives [every one of] all your iniquities, Who heals [each one of] all your diseases,
This particular line is a wonderful reminder of the truth of the gospel and the beauty of what Jesus' death and resurrection purchased for us.
4Who redeems your life from the pit and corruption, Who beautifies, dignifies, and crowns you with loving-kindness and tender mercy;
I once wrote a post called Spiritual Wardrobe, which lists some of the clothes God offers to dress us with. I didn't include this one. I absolutely love the imagery in it - beautifies, dignifies and crowns - to have His loving-kindness and tender mercy on top of your head flowing down!!!
5Who satisfies your mouth [your necessity and desire at your personal age and situation] with good so that your youth, renewed, is like the eagle's [strong, overcoming, soaring]!
I again love the Amp here, because it shows the personalization of our great God; that He satisfies us right where we are at, so that we can be strengthened and renewed!
6The Lord executes righteousness and justice [not for me only, but] for all who are oppressed.
This is a beautiful reminder again of the beauty, power and strength of our God! He is a champion for those who are oppressed.
7He made known His ways [of righteousness and justice] to Moses, His acts to the children of Israel.
The Bible says God is the same yesterday, today and forever. What a beautiful reminder that God did show His ways to Moses and He continues to make Himself and His ways known to us.
11For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great are His mercy and loving-kindness toward those who reverently and worshipfully fear Him.
8The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and plenteous in mercy and loving-kindness.
9He will not always chide or be contending, neither will He keep His anger forever or hold a grudge.
10He has not dealt with us after our sins nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.
This is a Psalm, so at the time of the writing David was being prophetic. We have the great blessing of being full recipients of the truths David was prophesying about. We are now in the place where God's anger is no longer against us and we get to live lives of freedom because our sin is not being held against us! Also, do you see that God is pleanteous in His mercy and loving-kindness. He is not going to run out!
11For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great are His mercy and loving-kindness toward those who reverently and worshipfully fear Him.
12As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.
What a beautiful reminder for us today! If you have fears about the depths of God's love for you, or the power of Jesus' death had to pay for your sins, you only have to sit and visualize the truths found here! Your sins have been removed!
18To such as keep His covenant [hearing, receiving, loving, and obeying it] and to those who [earnestly] remember His commandments to do them [imprinting them on their hearts].
As many of us know all to well, this life we live is so brief, but what a beautiful and precious reminder of the weight of who God is for all eternity. For me personally, it is a precious reminder that His love will never fade away and that He has promised to carry the message and benefit of His love to my children and my grandchildren.
The end brings us back to the beginning. If you didn't have a reason to bless the Lord at the start, you have numerous reasons to now!
13As a father loves and pities his children, so the Lord loves and pities those who fear Him [with reverence, worship, and awe].
14For He knows our frame, He [earnestly] remembers and imprints [on His heart] that we are dust.
I love the imagery that the frailty of our lives is imprinted on His heart.
15As for man, his days are as grass; as a flower of the field, so he flourishes.
16For the wind passes over it and it is gone, and its place shall know it no more.
17But the mercy and loving-kindness of the Lord are from everlasting to everlasting upon those who reverently and worshipfully fear Him, and His righteousness is to children's children--
18To such as keep His covenant [hearing, receiving, loving, and obeying it] and to those who [earnestly] remember His commandments to do them [imprinting them on their hearts].
As many of us know all to well, this life we live is so brief, but what a beautiful and precious reminder of the weight of who God is for all eternity. For me personally, it is a precious reminder that His love will never fade away and that He has promised to carry the message and benefit of His love to my children and my grandchildren.
19The Lord has established His throne in the heavens, and His kingdom rules over all.
20Bless (affectionately, gratefully praise) the Lord, you His angels, you mighty ones who do His commandments, hearkening to the voice of His word.The end brings us back to the beginning. If you didn't have a reason to bless the Lord at the start, you have numerous reasons to now!
21Bless (affectionately, gratefully praise) the Lord, all you His hosts, you His ministers who do His pleasure.
I love this - you who do His pleasure. As children of God, we have the opportunity to carry on the message contained in the Psalm of His love, mercy and grace to those around us!
Amen!
Oh! I've got goosebumps. I just love this Psalm. By the time I'm done reading it, I always want to start this Psalm over again. For me, it wraps up the beauty of our salvation into one prayer! It has been a great way for me to stay immersed in His Truth throughout my day!
So here it is one more time, without my interruptions:
In Christ,
22Bless the Lord, all His works in all places of His dominion; bless (affectionately, gratefully praise) the Lord, O my soul!
Amen!
Oh! I've got goosebumps. I just love this Psalm. By the time I'm done reading it, I always want to start this Psalm over again. For me, it wraps up the beauty of our salvation into one prayer! It has been a great way for me to stay immersed in His Truth throughout my day!
So here it is one more time, without my interruptions:
1BLESS (AFFECTIONATELY, gratefully praise) the Lord, O my soul; and all that is [deepest] within me, bless His holy name!
2Bless (affectionately, gratefully praise) the Lord, O my soul, and forget not [one of] all His benefits--
3Who forgives [every one of] all your iniquities, Who heals [each one of] all your diseases,
4Who redeems your life from the pit and corruption, Who beautifies, dignifies, and crowns you with loving-kindness and tender mercy;
5Who satisfies your mouth [your necessity and desire at your personal age and situation] with good so that your youth, renewed, is like the eagle's [strong, overcoming, soaring]!
6The Lord executes righteousness and justice [not for me only, but] for all who are oppressed.
7He made known His ways [of righteousness and justice] to Moses, His acts to the children of Israel.
8The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and plenteous in mercy and loving-kindness.
9He will not always chide or be contending, neither will He keep His anger forever or hold a grudge.
10He has not dealt with us after our sins nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.
11For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great are His mercy and loving-kindness toward those who reverently and worshipfully fear Him.
12As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.
13As a father loves and pities his children, so the Lord loves and pities those who fear Him [with reverence, worship, and awe].
14For He knows our frame, He [earnestly] remembers and imprints [on His heart] that we are dust.
15As for man, his days are as grass; as a flower of the field, so he flourishes.
16For the wind passes over it and it is gone, and its place shall know it no more.
17But the mercy and loving-kindness of the Lord are from everlasting to everlasting upon those who reverently and worshipfully fear Him, and His righteousness is to children's children--
18To such as keep His covenant [hearing, receiving, loving, and obeying it] and to those who [earnestly] remember His commandments to do them [imprinting them on their hearts].
19The Lord has established His throne in the heavens, and His kingdom rules over all.
20Bless (affectionately, gratefully praise) the Lord, you His angels, you mighty ones who do His commandments, hearkening to the voice of His word.
21Bless (affectionately, gratefully praise) the Lord, all you His hosts, you His ministers who do His pleasure.
22Bless the Lord, all His works in all places of His dominion; bless (affectionately, gratefully praise) the Lord, O my soul!
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