freedom and joy

Tuesday, May 16, 2017 (6:33 a.m.)

Blessed, Holy God,

Thank You for waking me up with another song this morning. ♫Blessed Be the Name of the Lord♫ started singing to me at 4:59 and has continued off and on until right now.

Thank You that as this musical refrain kept coming to mind I was quickly able to trace its roots back to Psalm 72:19. “Blessed be His glorious Name forever. May all the earth be filled with His glory! Amen and Amen!” (Tree of Life Version).

Oh, most Holy God, even here I get to read that various scholars hold different thoughts as to the author of “this strong messianic psalm” (Illustrated Bible Handbook). I take a little bit of comfort knowing that very learned people don't always agree on all there is we don't yet know for sure.

Thank You Father that we have Your Word on which to feast and to question. When I read that after all these years the author (Solomon or David) and the subject (Solomon and/or Jesus) are still unconfirmed, I breathe a little deeper and easier in my wonderings of all it is I do not know.

Thank You Most Holy One. Thank You that we each get this tiny bit of understanding to share with others.

As I go to the beginning of “A psalm of Solomon” and begin my reading there, I immediately think of this country and the burden we have of praying for our leaders. With that as my starting point, the needs of other countries rush to mind.

Reading The Life Recovery Bible footnote (72:12-14) thoughts of friends and family immediately come rushing in. “God acts on behalf of those who have no power to free themselves from their problems. He helps those who are oppressed and have no one to defend them.” Oh most Holy God, yes!

“He has great love and compassion for those who are weak and needy. As we face our addiction, we know what it means to be powerless. Alone, we are helpless to overcome the temptations of dependency. But with God's help, there is always hope for us. His power can help us overcome any problems we face, and He wants to see us through the hard times to a new life of freedom and joy.”

Hmm, yes, freedom and joy! Do for each of us all that You must that we would truly come before You singing ♫Blessed be the name of the Lord, He is worthy to be praised and adored; So we lift up holy hands in one accord, Singing, “Blessed be the name, blessed be the name, Blessed be the name of the Lord!”♫

Mm. Yes! Blessed. Worthy. Holy. You are all those and we are blessed with the privilege and honor of knowing, trusting, believing and following You to our "new life of freedom and joy".

Freedom and joy. In You. Please. I love You. I thank You. Amen.

(494 words ~ 8:00 a.m.)