It’s the most wonderful time of the year, with the kids jingle-belling and everyone telling you to spend your money at their store, or asking why you don’t call more often, or informing you that you’ve got a lot more grey hairs since last Christmas, and maybe you could be doing a better job of raising your kids…
So just in case this season is more painful than joyful for you, perhaps you’d benefit from joining David in his psalm of faith in difficult times…
I waited patiently for the Lord;
and He inclined to me,
and heard my cry.
He also brought me up out of a horrible pit,
Out of the miry clay,
and set my feet upon a rock,
and established my steps.
He has put a new song in my mouth ~
Praise to our God;
Many will see it and fear,
And will trust in the Lord.
Blessed is that man who makes the Lord his trust,
And does not respect the proud,
nor such as turn aside to lies.
Many, O Lord my God, are your wonderful works
which You have done;
And your thoughts toward us
cannot be recounted to You in order;
If I would declare and speak of them,
They are more than can be numbered.
I have proclaimed the good news of righteousness
In the great assembly;
Indeed, I do not restrain my lips,
O Lord, You Yourself know.
I have not hidden Your righteousness within my heart;
I have declared Your faithfulness and Your salvation;
I have not concealed Your lovingkindness and Your truth
From the great assembly.
Do not withhold Your tender mercies from me, O Lord;
Let Your lovingkindness and Your truth
continually preserve me.
Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver me;
O Lord, make haste to help me!
Let all those who seek You rejoice and be glad in You;
Light Expectations 