Psalm 130

>>A Psalm of Degrees<<
1 Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, O LORD.
2 Lord, hear my voice: let thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications.
3 If thou, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?
4 But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared.
5 I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope.
6 My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning: I say, more than they that watch for the morning.
7 Let Israel hope in the LORD: for with the LORD there is mercy, and with him is plenteous redemption.
8 And he shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities.

God hears the cry that comes from the depths of our soul.  He hears the plea that rises out of heart-wrenching sorrow and anguish.  His mercy sustains us and His character is the substance of our hope.  His written WORD is the primary source for the comfort that He promises, for it is the Word that reveals the character and glory of our God, which drives us to worship and bless Him.  Through the Word, we find the steadfastness and unchangeableness of our God on display and readily available for us to cling to for comfort in the midst of our greatest sorrows. 

And let me add that He gives comfort in His perfect timing.

Every time. 

Thankful for God’s Word and His mercy.    

At times I don't know how to adequately express myself.  Sincere longing, yearning, and seeking hard after the Lord often get stifled by my circumstances. This song, based on Psalm 84, has been a recent reminder of what I desire to be a reality in my life right now. 

How sweet the place where You dwell, O Lord, 

My soul longs and faints for You

My heart sings out a loud song of joy 

For I have known the living God.

I want to be where You are, O Lord

I want to be where You are, O Lord

I'd rather have just one day with You

Than be anywhere else

There's no good thing that You will withhold

From those who live to follow You 

I'd rather be Your servant, O God

Than have the riches of this world

Those who follow You go from strength to strength

Those who trust in You are filled with joy.

(c) Stephen Altrogge, 2008, Sovereign Grace Praise

Sometimes God chooses to overwhelm us with His goodness, just because He can.  

Right now, my heart is overflowing with thankfulness to Him for His goodness which He has shown in very concrete ways over the last few days.  

"My soul, wait thou only upon God;  

for my expectation is from him. 

He only is my rock and my salvation: 

He is my defense; 

I shall not be moved. 

In God is my salvation and my glory: 

The rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God. 

Trust in him at all times; ye people,

 Pour out your heart before him: 

God is a refuge for us. 

Selah.  

Psalm 62:5-8 

I read Psalm 90 today and it was such a blessing and encouragement! Two verses in particular stuck out to me:

Verse 2 --"Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God."

Verse 12 -- "So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom."

Some random thoughts from today:

• God has blessed me with an amazing church family!

• God can work everything out...sometimes it is just a matter of time!

• God can and will provide, but not always does that mean that I will get all of my "wants" and "would like to's."

• There are a lot of people out there who are hurting and need prayer--I need to do my part!

• It is a blessing to hear from people back in Brazil and to hear about what is going on there!

(No, I have not forgotten about finishing my update about the missions trip...)

My Life--here and now

Wow, can it only have been a week ago that I was headed to the airport to say goodbye to my family? Was it only a week ago that the dreaded time came when I reached out and hugged my parents, brother, and sister for the last time for two or three years? Was it only a week ago today that my life totally changed, and will never again be like it was a matter of days ago?

Yes, it was. It seems like it can't be already a week since my family boarded the airplane headed to Brazil, yet at the same time, it seems like ages since those tearful goodbyes took place and forced me begin a new chapter of my life.

Life is totally different now: it is so strange for it to just be Patrice and I sitting together at church, to be responsible for making sure there's gas in the car, to not have those good night hugs from mom and dad, to live with another family and adjust to their way of going about each day. . .

Fortunately, even though I will not be able to see my family for a long time, we do have the blessing of modern technology! Yay for email, Skype, and facebook! So far, I think my sister and I have received at least two emails a day from my parents! What would we do without practically instant communication?

Countless people have asked me "How are you doing?" To be honest, I'm not sure; I think the truth is still sinking in--maybe I'm subconsciously hoping that I will wake up and find out that this is all an awful dream. I really cannot put into words (I probably could, but I'm not sure I'm willing yet for you to read it) what I'm feeling right now. All I can say is that "God's Grace is sufficient." On my own, I don't think I can do this, but I'm trusting in Him to be my Provider, Protector, and Parent while I'm here, separated from my family not only by hundreds of miles, but also by a continent and an ocean.

The next few weeks and months will probably be some of the most trying times of my life, but as I read in Psalm 66 yesterday, "Come and hear, all you that fear God, and I will declare what he has done for my soul." I'm trusting God to show Himself very real and present, and in the years to come, I will then be able to look back at this time and say that He has been faithful, just like He said He would be.

Here is a song that I love and would like to share it with you:


Even in the Valley --
High upon this mountain, the sun is shining bright.
My heart is filled with gladness, here above the cares of night.
but I’ve just come though the valley of troubles, fear and pain.
It was there I came to know my God enough to stand and say:

Even the valley, God is good.
Even in the valley, He is faithful and true
He carries His children through like He said he would.
Even in the valley, God is good! God is good! **

This road of life has led you to a valley of defeat,
you wonder if the Father has heard your desperate plea,
But there is hope in that rugged place where tears of sorrow dwell,
Can’t you hear Him gently whispering: I’m here and all is well?!”

**Emphasis added--don't you love those words?



In Him Alone,

Angie