Our current bible study series is called Comfort, Caution, and Confidence in the Psalms. As we study this amazing book, I find myself thinking of all the times that the Psalms have been a balm to my soul. When I’m having a sad day and want comfort, I often find myself turning to the book of Psalms. It’s my “feel good” book, my “Jesus loves me” book. It’s very soothing to imagine God covering me with His feathers (Psalm 91:4). There is joy and encouragement in the practical ways in which the Psalms can be applied to our lives.
As I turn the pages of my bible I see notes of dates and events next to verses that brought me comfort or peace in hard times. Psalm 147:3, He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” Next to that verse is written the date my grandmother died. Psalm 91:14-16, “ ‘Because he loves me,’ says the LORD, ‘I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation.’ ” The date written here corresponds to a time of painful and difficult parenting, when my autistic son was in middle school. I once spent most of a challenging year reminding myself to “Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46.6).
The Psalms are precious to me because they were written with understanding of the human heart in all of its frailties. Psalm 1:1, “Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked,” was a firm reminder for me of who I spent time with in my younger years. As a person in recovery from substance abuse, I needed to avoid people who could lead me to compromise my resolve to be sober. When I have been in seasons of waiting, particularly those involving infertility issues, Psalm 27:14 brought peace; “Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.” Last year as I was trying to recover from a surgical mishap, Psalm 62:5 filled my heart; “Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from Him.” Despite my physical pain and emotional frustrations, I could truly rest in His promises.
In times of rejoicing I found Psalm 107:1 on my lips, “Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His love endures forever.” As I wrote this blog I found myself tearing up with that joy that only He can give, as I saw all of the times in my life that God’s Word has comforted my weary heart. What a treasure He has given us in His Word.
We encourage you to read the book of Psalms as we move through this series. Do you have a favorite Psalm? How has God used His Word to bring comfort, caution, or confidence?
Shay is a blog contributor and a lover of coffee and snow. She is married with three children. You can listen to our Bible study on Psalms, or any of our Bible studies by tuning in to your favorite radio station, listening to our podcast on iTunes, or listening through TuneIn or Stitcher online radio.
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