But I have to admit, I started this one more because I thought I *should* rather than because I really *wanted* to. Let's face it, this particular study is going to uncover layers of myself I'm not sure I wanted uncovered.
So with my game face on and head held high, I walked into the room full of unfamiliar women last night...and left feeling like I had 15 new best friends.
Sure, that's a little bit of an exaggeration, but there are certain life circumstances that define people. And those going through this study are going through it with me.
What REALLY sealed the deal is when I got home, got the boys bathed, brushed and settled, ate my dinner and opened my workbook for the first time.
The VERY. FIRST. ASSIGNMENT. was to read Psalm 91.
It's an honor to share it with you:
Psalm 91
New International Version (NIV)
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.[a]
2 I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.” 3 Surely he will save you
from the fowler’s snare
and from the deadly pestilence.
4 He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
5 You will not fear the terror of night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,
6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
nor the plague that destroys at midday.
7 A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand,
but it will not come near you.
8 You will only observe with your eyes
and see the punishment of the wicked.
9 If you say, “The LORD is my refuge,”
and you make the Most High your dwelling,
10 no harm will overtake you,
no disaster will come near your tent.
11 For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways;
12 they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
13 You will tread on the lion and the cobra;
you will trample the great lion and the serpent.
14 “Because he[b] loves me,” says the LORD, “I will rescue him;
I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
15 He will call on me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble,
I will deliver him and honor him.
16 With long life I will satisfy him
and show him my salvation.”
Footnotes:
- Psalm 91:1 Hebrew Shaddai
- Psalm 91:14 That is, probably the king
I. STOPPED. DEAD. IN. MY. TRACKS.
Sometimes God whispers His messages to me and sometimes he SMACKS me over the head with a 2 x 4. This was a 2 x 4 moment.
My BESTEST. EVER. FAVORITE. OF. ALL. TIME. hymn, from growing up in the Catholic church, is "On Eagles Wings," Psalm 91 put to music. (listen to the video link)
Here are the lyrics:
On Eagle's Wings
You who dwell in the shelter of the Lord,
Who abide in His shadow for life,
Say to the Lord, "My Refuge,
My Rock in Whom I trust."
And He will raise you up on eagle's wings,
Bear you on the breath of dawn,
Make you to shine like the sun,
And hold you in the palm of His Hand.
The snare of the fowler will never capture you,
And famine will bring you no fear;
Under His Wings your refuge,
His faithfulness your shield.
And He will raise you up on eagle's wings,
Bear you on the breath of dawn,
Make you to shine like the sun,
And hold you in the palm of His Hand.
You need not fear the terror of the night,
Nor the arrow that flies by day,
Though thousands fall about you,
Near you it shall not come.
And He will raise you up on eagle's wings,
Bear you on the breath of dawn,
Make you to shine like the sun,
And hold you in the palm of His Hand.
For to His angels He's given a command,
To guard you in all of your ways,
Upon their hands they will bear you up,
Lest you dash your foot against a stone.
And He will raise you up on eagle's wings,
Bear you on the breath of dawn,
Make you to shine like the sun,
And hold you in the palm of His Hand.
And hold you in the palm of His Hand.
Who abide in His shadow for life,
Say to the Lord, "My Refuge,
My Rock in Whom I trust."
And He will raise you up on eagle's wings,
Bear you on the breath of dawn,
Make you to shine like the sun,
And hold you in the palm of His Hand.
The snare of the fowler will never capture you,
And famine will bring you no fear;
Under His Wings your refuge,
His faithfulness your shield.
And He will raise you up on eagle's wings,
Bear you on the breath of dawn,
Make you to shine like the sun,
And hold you in the palm of His Hand.
You need not fear the terror of the night,
Nor the arrow that flies by day,
Though thousands fall about you,
Near you it shall not come.
And He will raise you up on eagle's wings,
Bear you on the breath of dawn,
Make you to shine like the sun,
And hold you in the palm of His Hand.
For to His angels He's given a command,
To guard you in all of your ways,
Upon their hands they will bear you up,
Lest you dash your foot against a stone.
And He will raise you up on eagle's wings,
Bear you on the breath of dawn,
Make you to shine like the sun,
And hold you in the palm of His Hand.
And hold you in the palm of His Hand.
When I was attending St. Edward-Epiphany Catholic School, Mrs. Mary Malloy taught choir (among other things) and she was the most nurturing soul I can remember. She realized early on I couldn't carry a tune in a bucket (but I sure was enthusiastic in choir), so she redirected my talents into liturgical dance. I can't remember whether she or I, a combination thereof or another party entirely created the dance to this song, but I do know that I can perform it to this day.
My point being, like so many things that God puts in my path at exactly the right time, seeing Psalm 91 as our VERY FIRST LESSON just confirmed that I needed to be there. I needed those two teachers, the Bible study, and probably most importantly, the ladies sitting in that room with me.
I can't wait until next Wednesday.
I sent you a friend request and message on Facebook. You seem to be a beautiful person with a beautiful soul.
ReplyDelete