He Gives Songs In The Night

"Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." ~Matthew 11:28-30

"...[He] gives songs in the night" ~Job 34:10



In our Monday night ladies' Bible class, we have been looking at Lea Fowler's book Strength in Times of Trouble. Last night's lesson was titled "He Gives Songs in the Night." In one paragraph she says, "That scripture has always bothered me. I had many times deliberately tried to think of songs in the night. I hadn't understood that first part - He gives you songs - He, God, gives you songs. It is not-'I strive to sing songs in the night.' " In another part, she says, "I had tried to sing for joy when I was joyful - but we sing for joy when we are scared, or hurting, or weak and have found relief."

I completely understood the concept of this. I knew that when I was feeling down or discouraged, a song of praise would come to my lips, and it would inevitably make me feel better. But I had never put the scripture with the concept. (Makes you look again at 2 Peter 1:3, doesn't it?) Then, last night, I had the opportunity to experience it once again.

It was "one of those nights." I had to get up 4 times in as many hours with one or another of the kiddos. I was tired. The baby had been whiny and clingy all day. When I got up with her to feed her, I just felt so overwhelmed. I just wanted to sleep. Then the song came to me "Ye that labor and are heavy laden lean upon your dear Lord's breast, Ye that labor and are heavy laden come and I will give you rest." And I started to feel better. I wasn't really less tired, but I knew that I could handle it. That my Heavenly Father would take care of me just as surely as I was taking care of my own child right that very minute. How sweet to know that He is always there. And how sweet to know He gives us songs in the night.



Loving Father, who watches over me with Your mighty Hand, thank you so much for the blessing of being able to call you Father. I know that You are always with me, and that You will comfort and uplift me just as I would my own child. Thank you for the songs of praise and encouragement you inspired others to compose so that when I am down, You can bring them to my rememberance and give me songs in the night. In my dear Saviour's name, Amen.

He Is Everything To Me

"Oh my Lord, My burden bearer
My help in trouble, My joy in sorrow
My light in darkness, My sword and shield"
~Oh! What A Time

You ever feel like you just need a hug?

Things have been a little overwhelming for me lately. With the normal stress of being a SAHM to 3 kiddos, we have had the added stress of some (hopefully) minor health problems with our oldest. Then the low economy (compounded by my husband being a self-employed construction worker), some sickness and death in our family, and a few other personal problems, and I am about ready to throw in the towel. Needless to say, I have spent loads of time talking to God here lately. And always, when I pray, I feel a little bit better. I know that God is always there to listen and that the Holy Spirit will guide me in what to do or say at any given time if I will just listen.

Sometimes I can just feel the Lord wrapping those mighty arms of His around me and saying "Everything is alright. All will be fine. I am here and ready to carry your burden for you." Those times bring me such peace. It is so comforting and calming to know that all I have to do when I feel lost, alone, or overwhelmed is start talking. There is nothing that He can't handle, and He won't place more on me than He knows I can handle. (Although sometimes I feel like His definition of "you are strong enough" and mine are miles apart!)

God will be everything to you, i fyou will only let Him. He will be your burden-bearer, your help in trouble, your joy in sorrow, your light in darkness, your sword and shield. And then when we see him one day......Oh, my Lord, What a Time!!



Mighty Father, I know that when I am weak, you are strong. Please guide me in everything that I do and lift me when I think I am too weak to go on. I cast all my cares at your feet knowing that you will help me. In Christ's holy name, Amem.

Instruments of God

Colossians 3:17 "And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, and give thanks to God the Father through Him."

I was sitting in the hospital bed, holding my 6 month old baby while she received a breathing treatment from the lady from respiratory. This was Audrey's fourth day in the hospital with RSV. She was still sick, but much improved. The kind lady giving her the treatment told me how glad she was Audrey was doing better. She said "We are always so happy when we can help them get better....but we are really just instruments of God."

It meant so much to me to hear her say that. So few people publicly acknowledge the Lord in their work. She didn't have to add that tag at the end. But she did. She realized that the work she does in helping others is a labor of love for the Lord, so He can be glorified. God worked through her and the doctor and nurses to help my baby on the road to better breathing. Everything we do we are to do for His glory, to bring others to Him, whether it is teaching a Bible class, doing our secular job to the best of our ability, being a good friend, raising our children - our entire lives are to be lived in His name.

What is an instrument? A tool. Something used to aid us in whatever it is we are doing. Is that not what we are for God? He uses us to help Him bring others to Him. By our words and our actions. And if we aren't being a tool for God, that can only mean we are being used by Satan, for Jesus tells us if we aren't gathering and working for Him, we are against Him. Whose instrument are you?

All-powerful Father, I know that without You, I am nothing. You are my Creator and Life-giver. Please always help me to remember that I am Your creation, and that You created me to be an instrument for Your glory. Help me to always do that which is right and will not only help me get to Heaven, but also be able to bring others with me. In Christ's name, Amen.

Our Comforter

2 Corinthians 1:3 & 4 "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God."

**This one may be a little short and out of the norm for me...***

Saturday, we were supposed to drive up to my aunt and uncle's for a fellowship/singing. My aunt called me that morning and told me they were having to cancel because one of her dear friends' son had been found dead that morning. I haven't been able to put this out of my mind. I can't imagine the pain of losing a child, especially so unexpectedly and unexplained. All I could do, and can still do, is pray for that mother, and her other son, and the rest of that young man's family and friends. My prayers were for comfort for them, because that is what we want when something bad happens, right? How blessed we are to have such a loving Father who will comfort us. Who has sent His Spirit to comfort us, and who has given us friends and family to give us physical comfort. (2 Corinthians 7:6 & 7; 1 Thessalonians 5:11) We can know that no matter what happens, no matter how terrible it is - and sometimes it may be almost unbearable - He will be there. We can pray (James 5:13) and cast our cares upon Him (1 Peter 5:7), and He will deliver us (Psalm 34:19).

I wrote a poem for a friend back when we were in high school and she lost her father. The circumstances today are a little different, but the sentiment is the same as it was from my 17-year-old heart then.

***
I know right now you're hurting,
But tomorrow will be brighter.
I know it feels as though the pain
Will never go away,
But it will eventually start
To ease.
I know the sadness with always be
Underlying there,
But you must go on with your life.
And always remember
You've got your friends -
We'll always be here for you.
To help you through the tough times,
To share with you the good.
We'll always be true.
Lean on us and we'll lean on you
And we'll all survive.
***

Like I said, from a 17-year-old's heart.

And remember, God can make a rainbow out of any storm.


Dear God, I praise You for being such a loving Father, and for always being there for us. Help us to always turn to You when we need comforting, and to remember You can help us through any situation that arises in our lives. I pray especially at this time for those who have lost a loved one. Please comfort them as only You can, and help us to be there for them and to bring them Your loving-kindness. In Christ's precious name, Amen.