I like this passage from 1 Peter 5:6-7. When life becomes overwhelming, it’s good to know that God is our refuge, and that if He can control the whole universe and holds me in the hollow of His hands, I can rely on that merciful knowledge to hold things in perspective.
Chaos on the news, personal issues, and a feeling that I’ve set too many goals for my eighty-two year old body seem to cause me sleeplessness and a sense of “I’ll never get everything done.” that’s when I know I’m overwhelmed. But this passage from 1 Peter came to mind this morning, and as I prepare for the sabbath today, it’s a special reminder of priority: “So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and in His good time, He will honor you. Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares about what happens to you.” Now, if God were talking to me right this minute, and I believe He is, not withstanding our cultural obsession with pronouns, I will take this personally, and say me and I for the “you’s” in this verse, and suddenly, it becomes so very personally.
My Psalm 333: Overwhelmed
MY PSALM 333 OVERWHELMED
Lord God, Almighty to Save,
We come into Your Presence this day
With thanksgiving and praise to Your Name.
For without fear or shame
We can bow in Your Presence
Because of the work of salvation
Of Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Sinful though we are, living in self-worship
Instead of being constantly in praise of Your Name,
Your love for the world, Your love for me
And the atoning sacrifice of Jesus’ blood at Calvary
Demands my constant thanksgiving in every moment
Every day, of every week, of every month, of every year.
The peace given my soul because of Jesus’ gift to me
Assures my everlasting presence in Your kingdom,
For You have called me to be Your daughter,
Adopted into Your family, known to You,
Loved by You, protected by You, and in fellowship
With the Lord of the Universe.
How can I grasp that thought?
That You Who established the world
In all its intricacy and beauty and grandeur
Even numbered the hairs on my head,
That You who brings the rain in due season,
Who governs the winds and waves the sea,
You who delivers the newborn lamb
And unfurls the gorgeous butterfly,
You Who paints the morning sky and day’s sunset
Can grow a grandchild and soothe the dying one.
You, Lord of the Universe, can spin the planets
And miraculously steer a hurricane away from me
By Your Divine command.
And You assure this sinful soul
Of Your concern, and Your love, and my peace.
We praise Your Name this day
In grateful thanksgiving
And bring our humble prayers
With the assurance that You hear us
And You love us,
And You do all things to Your Glory
Because of Your love for Your people.
We thank You for the tall hedges of protection
You provide for Your children,
And I am eternally grateful to be one of Yours.
Because of Your gift of Jesus Christ,
My Lord and Savior, I am assured this day
Of Your love and my acceptance into Your Kingdom.
In thanksgiving forever, Amen.
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