Psalm 97

Psalm 97:1

"You don't have to worry about whether your world is under control. God rules. You just have to trust him when his rule isn't evident." Paul Tripp New Morning Mercies

"Honestly facing your lack of sovereignty over your own life produces either anxiety or relief. Anxiety is God-forgetting.... God-remembering...rests in the relief that although it may not look like it, your life is under the careful control of One who defines wisdom, power, and love."

 Daniel 4:34-35

"for his dominion is an everlasting dominion,

and his kingdom endures from generation to generation."

In a particular situation in my life right now, I tend to feel hopeless and helpless. I am the kind of person who likes to fix things. When something is wrong, I get out my lists and figure out a method of repair. That obviously doesn't always work. God is kind to give me this gentle reminder. 

Psalm 97:11-12

"...rest is not to be found in your control but in God's absolute rule over everything."

I Woke up Grumpy

But I should have let her sleep.

Today, I woke up on the wrong side of the bed. There was no reason for it, but I was grumpy. I wanted to bite nails all morning. I let no infraction go among the girls and didn't want the sun shining either.

Right after lunch, Rachel called and said she was on the way over. When she got here, sweet slobbery kisses and contagious giggles made everything much better.

Caleb was fine help in Lydia's school work. Susannah and Josiah got busy playing.

And then this happened- We went outside, "wasted" some valuable time, blowing dandelions, swinging, and talking to the neighbor's dog through the fence.

Psalm 84:11

For the Lord God is a sun and a shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor. 

No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly. 

Consolation

Psalm 94:19 When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul.

It's true, this season is a time of joy. But the burdens of life don't go away because someone says, "Merry Christmas." We are all heavy laden with the cares of the world, but we have a consolation.

Luke 2:25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.

Simeon like all of the Old Testament prophets knew that a man would come to be their consolation, the Savior. When he met Jesus, God revealed to him that this indeed was the Savior, the consolation of Israel. And he said,

Luke 2:29-32 Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.

Knowing this Christ has come to be our consolation, we can have great joy!

Philippians 2:1-2 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.

These passages and their connections were brought to my attention as a great reminder that we can still be "occupied with joy" (Ecclesiastes 5:20).