Focus

Take a few minutes to push the “pause” button on whatever is going on around you and be still with God.

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Read

Psalm 138 (NRSV)

I give you thanks, O LORD, with my whole heart;
before the gods I sing your praise;
I bow down toward your holy temple
and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness;
for you have exalted your name and your word
above everything.
On the day I called, you answered me,
you increased my strength of soul.

All the kings of the earth shall praise you, O LORD,
for they have heard the words of your mouth.
They shall sing of the ways of the LORD,
for great is the glory of the LORD.
For though the LORD is high, he regards the lowly;
but the haughty he perceives from far away.

Though I walk in the midst of trouble,
you preserve me against the wrath of my enemies;
you stretch out your hand,
and your right hand delivers me.
The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me;
your steadfast love, O LORD, endures forever.
Do not forsake the work of your hands.

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Reflect

As I read this psalm, two things stood out to me. First, the psalmist said that he walked in the midst of trouble. Second, throughout the verses, he continued to praise God and place his life in God’s hands. We probably all know a little about the path that runs through the midst of trouble.

At this year’s General Assembly, I decided that our son, Benjamin, was a big celebrity in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Every shuttle bus we caught, every building we walked into, people would call out to Benjamin. But the path that brought Benjamin into our family traveled through the midst of trouble. My husband and I had five miscarriages, two ectopic pregnancies, and several failed adoptions. However, through all of this, I knew God was by our side and had a plan for us.

Despite all the troubles, God brought a baby boy into our lives. It is an understatement to say I praise God for Benjamin. At times in our lives, we will have to walk through the midst of trouble, but remember “the Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever.”

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Pray

Loving God, please help us remember that as we go through trials and troubles in life, you are always there with us. Amen.

Go with God.