It’s Wednesday, so don’t forget Ajissun and the folks in The Gambia.
Anyone else?
Psalm 107:1-22
1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
his love endures forever.
2 Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story—
those he redeemed from the hand of the foe,
3 those he gathered from the lands,
from east and west, from north and south.
4 Some wandered in desert wastelands,
finding no way to a city where they could settle.
5 They were hungry and thirsty,
and their lives ebbed away.
6 Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble,
and he delivered them from their distress.
7 He led them by a straight way
to a city where they could settle.
8 Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love
and his wonderful deeds for mankind,
9 for he satisfies the thirsty
and fills the hungry with good things.
10 Some sat in darkness, in utter darkness,
prisoners suffering in iron chains,
11 because they rebelled against God’s commands
and despised the plans of the Most High.
12 So he subjected them to bitter labor;
they stumbled, and there was no one to help.
13 Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,
and he saved them from their distress.
14 He brought them out of darkness, the utter darkness,
and broke away their chains.
15 Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love
and his wonderful deeds for mankind,
16 for he breaks down gates of bronze
and cuts through bars of iron.
17 Some became fools through their rebellious ways
and suffered affliction because of their iniquities.
18 They loathed all food
and drew near the gates of death.
19 Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,
and he saved them from their distress.
20 He sent out his word and healed them;
he rescued them from the grave.
21 Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love
and his wonderful deeds for mankind.
22 Let them sacrifice thank offerings
and tell of his works with songs of joy.
Wandering Views 
This struck me deeply yesterday. I woke up early this morning with the words still replaying in my mind and heart.
From “New Morning Mercies” by Paul David Tripp (June 1) — God’s care comes in many forms. He cares enough to break your bones in order to capture your heart.
~ I wish your care was always easy, predictable, safe —
a cool drink
a soft pillow —
but you are too wise,
too loving,
too committed to your work of
transforming grace.
So your gracious care comes to me
in uncomfortable forms:
the redeeming care of disappointment,
the unexpected
trial,
suffering, loss.
These things don’t tell me you’re cold-hearted,
absent,
uninvolved.
No, each is a sign of zealous grace,
redeeming love.
I struggle to grasp how much you
care,
so I struggle to rest in that
care.
You care enough to give me what I
need,
not what I want.
You care enough to break my bones
in order to recapture my heart. ~
(for further study an encouragement, Ps. 51, esp. v. 8)
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Well said, DJ.
And on that note, still praying for Debra and C as He draws them closer to Him. May they respond to His drawing and glorify Him with their word, thoughts, and actions.
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DJ – That part about the broken bones reminds me of something I heard years ago in church, although I have no idea if this is true or not. The speaker said that when a lamb gets into the habit of wandering off, the shepherd will break one of its legs, and then carry it around on his shoulders until it heals. After that, the lamb will stick close to the shepherd. (Isn’t there a painting of Jesus with a lamb around His shoulders?)
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Kizzie, that story really sounds apocryphal to me, though I too have heard it before. If nothing else, the same thing could be accomplished by putting a cast on the lamb’s leg or tying its legs, or simply carrying it but tying it (hobbling it) if he needs to put it down, and the shepherd would not need to injure his lamb.
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There is a difference in limitations imposed on one from without, and those imposed from within ones own self by pain. There is no one to blame for internal pain. It’s just between you and God.
Thank you for all of the prayers. I’m trying to get an intermittent leave of absence so I can take unpaid time off occasionally without being penalized at work. That would relieve some stress. Please pray for favor.
Still Trusting Him
Debra
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Praying, Debra.
I’m so sorry you and C are having to go through such a major trial as this has been – and still is. You must be emotionally and physically exhausted.
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Oh Debra…I am asking our Lord to impart understanding and favor from your employer…that they would extend to you that measure of grace, compassion and understanding…continuing to lift you and C up before our all knowing and ever caring Saviour… ♥️
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I liked that piece DJ. And I agree with it.
Debra
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