Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me, for in you my soul takes refuge.
I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed.
[Let’s see – ‘disasters’ in my life…yes, I am definitely crouching under His wings!]
I cry out to God Most High, to God, who fulfills his purpose for me.
[Disaster…a purpose? Is there a purpose? Will I receive God’s purpose for me without understanding the ‘why’ of it? Help me, Lord!]
He sends from heaven and saves me, rebuking those who hotly pursue me;
God sends his love and his faithfulness.
[That is a promise and encouragement!]
I am in the midst of lions; I lie among ravenous beasts –
men whose teeth are spears and arrows, whose tongues are sharp swords.
[Remember: I am in the world, not of the world.]
Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth.
[In everything I do, may You be glorified, Lord.]
They spread a net for my feet – I was bowed down in distress.
They dug a pit in my path – but they have fallen into it themselves.
[“Revenge is Mine,†says the Lord.]
My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and make music.
Awake, my soul! Awake, harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn.
I will praise you, O Lord,among the nations;
I will sing of you among the peoples.
For great is your love, reaching to the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies.
Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth.
[You are worthy of my praise, Lord!! You are worthy!!!] Psalm 57 (NIV, my comments)
Whether David wrote this ‘song’ or someone else – what a pattern for my prayer and worship life!
In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice: in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation. Psalm 5:3 (NIV)
Morning or evening and in between, I bring my requests before my Lord and Father…and wait in expectation! Not in despair or doubt, but expectation! And as I wait, I praise You, Jesus, because You are God – and worthy of praise! That is a comforting place to be. God is not only faithful but He is faith. And I want to be plugged in to that outlet!!!
— An excerpt from Daily Devotions of Ordinary People – Extraordinary God by Jody Neufeld
