Welcome to Day #21 of the Psalms Series!
I am excited that Abby is guest posting with us. She joined us for the Isaiah 40 Series, and now, this series. Abby is one of my camp friends and her post is a labor of love, especially since her schedule is maxed out about now with a flurry of camp activity.
Abby
is a Michigan girl married to a Minnesota man. She is a camp kid turned
camp director, happiest with a cup of coffee in hand and laughing at a
cheesy pun. An extrovert to the core, Abby started blogging as a way to
reflect and process life and growing up. She writes at onadventureway.blogspot.com.
is a Michigan girl married to a Minnesota man. She is a camp kid turned
camp director, happiest with a cup of coffee in hand and laughing at a
cheesy pun. An extrovert to the core, Abby started blogging as a way to
reflect and process life and growing up. She writes at onadventureway.blogspot.com.
Take a few seconds to read Psalm 117 (yep, it’s that short)!
I tend to be wordy.
Wordy
as in repeat myself multiple times in multiple ways- verbally
processing through- sharing each and every thought that pops into my
mind and finding myself ending sentences paragraphs with, “Um… yeah” when I realize I’m just going in circles.
A
friend once said, “If Abby asks you a question, just look at her until
she talks it out and tells you the answer.” He was spot on.
friend once said, “If Abby asks you a question, just look at her until
she talks it out and tells you the answer.” He was spot on.
Recently
I found myself trying to explain a job to someone who is quite frankly,
totally the opposite. As in doesn’t blurt out every thought- keeps
expression and emotion contained- can talk without using their hands and
waits patiently for others to finish their sentences. As I explained
the task I felt like I was talking to a wall. His facial and verbal cues
weren’t giving me a whole lot to go on so I went around in circles,
explaining over and over until he stopped me with, “Enough, I get it.”
I found myself trying to explain a job to someone who is quite frankly,
totally the opposite. As in doesn’t blurt out every thought- keeps
expression and emotion contained- can talk without using their hands and
waits patiently for others to finish their sentences. As I explained
the task I felt like I was talking to a wall. His facial and verbal cues
weren’t giving me a whole lot to go on so I went around in circles,
explaining over and over until he stopped me with, “Enough, I get it.”
This year I’ve been reading through the Bible chronologically and right about the time that Katie invited me to this Psalm series I started reading the story of David and his Psalms. Funny how God works his timing, isn’t it?
When I read Psalm 117 I almost didn’t notice. It’s just so short.
Ironically in my chronological Bible the next chapter is the longest in the Bible, Psalm 119. According to my (definitely unscientific and possibly not 100% reliable) google searches, Psalm 117 is the shortest chapter in the Bible and falls right in the center.
I don’t think God is a God of coincidence. I am not a scholar or theologian but I believe he is a God of purpose, plan and intention.
Sometimes
in my faith I find myself talking in circles, buzzing around like a
busy bee, checking off books to read, prayers to say, songs to sing,
verses to memorize and devotions to write. These are all good things.
But here, at the heart of my Bible I find 2 short verses whispering, or
maybe they are shouting, “Praise Him”.
in my faith I find myself talking in circles, buzzing around like a
busy bee, checking off books to read, prayers to say, songs to sing,
verses to memorize and devotions to write. These are all good things.
But here, at the heart of my Bible I find 2 short verses whispering, or
maybe they are shouting, “Praise Him”.
Sometimes I muddy up the good word with my good intentions.
What
if I’m treating God just like the expression-less man? When I don’t
hear or see a response in my timing, when verses aren’t jumping off the
page, when my heart doesn’t feel stirred and I’m not getting that
validation of my faith do I just keep talking? Keep doing? Keep
chasing?
Or do I stop and shout the words of Psalm 117? I will praise him because he loves me, he’s been so faithful to me. Praise upon praise upon praise.
And you, reading this because you’re seeking, because the Psalms
mean something to you, because you’re looking for a fresh word. Are you
stuck in the running, in the over explaining, the chasing? Write the
words of Psalm 117 on
your heart, your mirror, your hand today. Praise him because he loves
you, he’s been so faithful to you. Take today for praise.
mean something to you, because you’re looking for a fresh word. Are you
stuck in the running, in the over explaining, the chasing? Write the
words of Psalm 117 on
your heart, your mirror, your hand today. Praise him because he loves
you, he’s been so faithful to you. Take today for praise.
With Praise,
Abby
Deep Breaths:
1. Reread Psalm 117 in several different versions (it’s so short it shouldn’t take long). What stands out to you?
2. I dare us to talk less today and listen more…and then praise Him like crazy with our life.
3. Speaking of praising Him like crazy, take a few minutes to praise the Lord with this get-outta-ya-seat-and-dance song- love it!
Yes, Praise! I've had the song, 10,000 reasons on my heart a lot lately by Matt Redman. It's a great praise song!
I have friends that "talk" the way you do, I could totally see you explaining something bc of seeing them do the same 🙂
Thanks, Alecia! I love that song and love that there are even MORE than 10,000 reasons!
Abby – I love your perspective on this! Sometimes the unexpected, like a very short Psalm, is what is needed to get our attention and get our priorities straight!
Abby, sometimes we just need to keep it simple, right? Praise Him no matter what's going on around us and all will be well!