One of my favorite verses is one that deals with something hard for me to accomplish. That’s why I return to it often. Philippians 4: 6-7 reminds me that Paul, who suffered many distresses in his life and had every reason to be stressed, decided to drill this truth into himself and tries to make sure I understand it too. While I do not face anywhere near the difficulties Paul faced, I tend to return over and over again to my perfectionism complex and my “I’ve got to get this done today” problem, as if everything depends on my ability to attack a project with gusto and enthusiasm. God is teaching me to destroy this tendency, but I’m a slow learner. That’s why I’m writing this at 6:25 a.m. before the busyness of the day encroaches.
Here’s what Paul tells me: “Don’t worry about anything; instead pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. Then, you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”
Here’s how I used this truth, once again pounding it into my very soul, in My Psalm 310. May it bless our hearts today:
MY PSALM 310 RESTING IN GOD
Dear Heavenly Father, Abba, Father
This day I rejoice that in all the clamor of life,
In all the distractions, in all the busyness,
I can rest in Your Presence.
With the Psalmist, I can attest to this truth:
“I sought the Lord, and He answered me;
He delivered me from all my fears.
Those who look to Him are radiant;
Their faces are never covered with shame.
This poor man called, and the Lord heard him;
He saved him out of all his troubles.
The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him
And He delivers him.” [1]
With Anna Laetitia Waring, whose hymn I love, I proclaim:
“My heart is resting, O my God, /I will give thanks and sing;
My heart is at the secret source /Of every precious thing.
I thirst for springs of heavenly life,
And here all day they rise;
I seek the treasure of Thy love,/ And close at hand it lies.
“I have a heritage of joy,/ That yet I must not see;
But the hand that bled to make it mine
Is keeping it for me.
And a new song is in my mouth,/ To long-loved music set;
‘Glory to Thee for all the grace/ I have not tasted yet.’
“My heart is resting, O my God,/ My heart is in Thy care
I hear the voice of joy and health/Resounding everywhere.
‘Thou art my portion,’/Saith my soul,
Ten thousand voices say,
And the music of their glad Amen/Will never die away.”[2]
And so, while all the babble of talking heads
And the rancor on the news,
The politics, the threats of war
The ceaseless problems posed,
I have the assured blessing to know
You’re Sovereign, You’re in charge,
Tall hedges of protection
Stand ’round me and those I love.
So as the new day dawns,
And fresh challenges arise,
I rest in Him, my only joy,
And leave this world behind.
I concentrate on Kingdom things,
Your Word, Your Presence, Your comfort, my joy,
And look at creation with wonder and awe—l
Listen to bird songs, plant my gardens and
Watch the clouds go by,
Knowing my todays and tomorrows, both
Are guided by Your hand;
You will rule from heavenly places.
So I rest here in Your peace
Until the glorious day I enter Your heavenly realm,
Bow down at Your feet, and rise to praise
Your Name eternally. Amen.
[1] Psalm 34
[2] The Hymnbook John Ribble. 406
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