Comfort for God's People

Here are some passages from Isaiah 40 that I found encouraging.

"A voice of one calling: 'In the desert prepare the way for the LORD; make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God. Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain. And the glory of the LORD will be revealed, and all mankind together will see it'" (Isaiah 40:3-5).

This passage seems appropriate so close to Christmas because verse 3 is the verse John the Baptist quoted when people asked him who he was. They wondered if he was the Christ. And he seemed very glad to reply that he was not, but that he was the voice in the desert announcing the coming of the Messiah.

"'To whom will you compare me? Or who is my equal?' says the Holy One. Lift your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one, and calls them each by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing" (Isaiah 40:25-26)

"The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint" (Isaiah 40:28b-31).

May God bless your hearts this week, providing comfort and joy when you need it most.

"My Times Are in Your Hands"

Isn't that a great phrase? It's from Psalm 31.

"But I trust in you, O LORD; I say, 'You are my God.' My times are in your hands" (Ps. 31:14-15a).

Here are two more encouraging verses from this psalm. It is important to note that David, while writing this psalm, was experiencing a difficulty of some kind. Life was not a bed of roses. But he chose to praise God.

"I will be glad and rejoice in your love, for you saw my affliction and knew the anguish of my soul" (Ps. 31:7).

"Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD" (Ps. 31:24).

When You're Just Not Feelin' It

Satan's been at work. He's been trying to get at me all this week. I've had unpleasant dreams, I'm stressed about work, Christmas is right around the corner, and things just don't seem right. So what do you do when you feel like this? I prayed hard last night that God would protect me from Satan's attacks. This morning I e-mailed close friends to ask them to pray for me. And then I read Psalm 29 and 30.

David wrote these psalms after he had come through a difficult time. Sometimes it's hard to read scriptures like that when you haven't yet reached that point in a period of difficulty. But that is faith. Faith is believing that God will answer, that He will come through, no matter what suffering you have experienced.

Here are some verses I found encouraging:

"The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace" (Ps. 29:11).

"O LORD, you brought me up from the grave, you spared me from going down into the pit" (Ps. 30:3).

"[W]eeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning" (Ps. 30:5b).

I am reminded here of Dr. Green, a minister from the Oak Cliff area in Dallas, that has come to speak at our church twice. One of his sermon titles was "How Long the Night?" If you didn't hear that sermon, I recommend that you access the sermons on my church's website. Some "nights" are very, very long. As Christians, we do have the assurance that this long night on earth will end with rejoicing in our new home of heaven.

"You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing to you and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give you thanks forever" (Ps. 30:11-12).

I'm not feeling that way today. But I have felt it before, particularly in the last few months. I know my God is good. And I know that He will bring me joy.

True Trust

Here's a passage from Psalm 28:

"The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song. The LORD is the strength of his people, a fortress of salvation for his anointed one" (Ps. 28:7-8).

I also read Isaiah 37 this morning. The king of Assyria sent word to Hezekiah, the king of Judah, that he shouldn't trust God because Assyria had already conquered so many other lands. He told the people of Judah not to be deceived by Hezekiah's word that God would protect them. So Hezekiah talked to God. He said,

"O LORD Almighty, God of Israel, enthroned between the cherubim, you alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth...It is true, O LORD, that the Assyrian kings have laid waste all these peoples and their lands. They have thrown their gods into the fire and destroyed them, for they were not gods but only wood and stone, fashioned by human hands. Now, O LORD our God, deliver us from his hand, so that all kingdoms on earth may know that you alone, O LORD, are God" (Isaiah 37:16, 18-20).

And God said that He would take care of King Sennacherib of Assyria...and He did.

Hezekiah, in this instance, was the most interested in God's reputation. Of course he wanted protection. But he was most certainly angry that this king belittled his God. Even when it seems that your situation is hopeless, trust in God.

Take Heart

Some encouragement from Psalm 27....

"The LORD is my light and my salvation--whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life--of whom shall I be afraid? Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then will I be confident...For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a rock...[A]t his tabernacle will I sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the LORD" (Ps. 27:1, 3, 5, 6b).

"Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD" (Ps. 27:14).

Everlasting Joy!

My mother loved a song by Maranatha that, I've just discovered, is based on Isaiah 35. I remember singing along and marching in place to the cassette tape. Even as a child, I felt such encouragement from the message in the song. The song is taken from the last verse in the chapter. I'd like to share other passages in the chapter first.

The title of this chapter in the New International Version is "Joy of the Redeemed." That sure caught my interest!

"The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom. Like the crocus, it will burst into bloom; it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy" (Isaiah 35:1-2a).

Crocuses, I believe, are one of the first flowers that push their heads out of the ground in the spring. I have seen many photos of crocus sprouting up from under layers of snow. This imagery makes me think of the neverending winter (with no Christmas!) in Narnia that did finally come to an end.

"Strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way; say to those with fearful hearts, 'Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, he will come with a vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you'" (Isaiah 35:3-4).

I like that we are told first to be strong. Sometimes we have to be strong even as we are afraid. But we are able to be strong because we have access to God's power, and that gives us cause to be unafraid. I also like the fact that God will "come with a vengeance" to save us. The enemy better watch out; he's going to get it in the end.

"Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy. Water will gush forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert" (Isaiah 35:6).

Several years ago a CD titled "Streams in the Desert" was produced with several different Christian artists contributing to it. It's a beautiful piece. Though I haven't listened to it in a while, I recommend it.

And here's the passage that inspired the Maranatha song:

"[T]he ransomed of the LORD will return. They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away" (Isaiah 35:9b-10).

I have a thing with crowns. When my mother and I saw the Crown Jewels during our trip to England in 1999, I went back to see them about five times. They are amazing. But a crown of everlasting joy? Aaaaahhhh. That is my kind of crown. And can you imagine--"gladness and joy will overtake them"? I can get pretty filled with the joy of my God. But when I get home, that will be some serious joy! Can't wait till we're all there together.

Hope Vs. Hope

"Show me your ways, O LORD, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long" (Psalm 25:4-5).

Hey, isn't this--or a psalm like it--used in a Third Day song? I love Third Day--my favorite Christian band ever.

Recently my husband and I had a discussion about the use of the word "hope" in the Bible. We English speakers use the word "hope" in a cross-your-fingers-and-wish kind of way, such as "I hope it snows tomorrow." But the Bible's "hope" is different. It is an assurance, a solid belief that we will be protected, that God, goodness, and justice will ultimately prevail. In the above passage, David, I think, was reminding himself that no matter what situation arose that day, God had his back. He would be safe.

"The LORD confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them" (Psalm 25:14).

Whoa. God confides in His people. This thought reminds me of the passages that talk about responsibilities God gives us, such as "From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked" (Luke 12:48b). But the idea that God confides in us baffles me. But really, when you think about it, it makes sense. God created us for Himself. He made us to have a relationship with Him.

"My eyes are ever on the LORD, for only he will release my feet from the snare" (Psalm 25:15).

David understood that he could not rescue himself. God alone has the power to save us. And more than that, thanks to God the Father and Jesus, we have access to the power that confronts and combats evil in our lives, as well as the Spirit to guide us. Never forget that you are a child of God and therefore are empowered to do battle with Satan. You are equipped to fight. God never sends His people into a war zone without weapons. You've got them. Use them.

The Sure Foundation for Our Times

Not much to say in comment to the following passages. I pray they encourage you as much as they did me this morning.

Grace and peace to all of you.

"O LORD, be gracious to us; we long for you. Be our strength every morning, our salvation in time of distress. At the thunder of your voice, the peoples flee; when you rise up, the nations scatter...The LORD is exalted, for he dwells on high; he will fill Zion with justice and righteousness. He will be a sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the LORD is the key to this treasure" (Isaiah 33:2-3, 5-6).

A glimpse, perhaps, of what we long to experience "in that day":

"Your eyes will see the king in his beauty and view a land that stretches afar" (Isaiah 33:17).

Praise God. Knowing what is in store for us makes it easier to get through each day. But it'll be awesome to get home, won't it?

God's Other "Child"

"The earth is the LORD's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; for he founded it upon the seas and established it upon the waters" (Psalm 24:1-2).

As Christians, we find comfort in knowing that God loves us because He made us; we are His creation. We are not God's only creation, though. He also made the earth. In fact, He crafted the world before He made us.

As I read Psalm 24 this morning, it struck me how much God must love the earth. I've thought in the past that God created the earth and gave it to us to care for. But I never thought about God's love for His world. This realization could certainly alter one's perspective on environmental issues. Let's be mindful of how we can better care for this beautiful world over which God has appointed us stewards.

A Classic

Here's another great passage to read in the midst of the busyness of this season. It speaks for itself. Allow yourself to really consider each phrase as you read it; don't just skim over it, as it is commonly quoted.

"The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever." (Psalm 23, NIV)

Isaiah's Aslan

December 9th will be an important day. C.S. Lewis' classic story The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe will be introduced as a film. There has been at least one version made of it, and well, it wasn't too great. But we live in the time of directors like Peter Jackson, who re-introduced us to the Lord of the Rings stories, and their crews of technological magicians. In anticipation of the opening of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, my husband and I have been re-reading the book at night. Even grown-ups need good bedtime stories! I thank God for my mother who read to me for many, many years and encouraged my reading beyond my childhood. She loved Lewis' works.

A shiny gem of scripture emerged from the text of Isaiah 31 this morning. For those of you who don't know (and I recommend you read the book before you see the movie--it's not long), Aslan is the name of the lion--a Christ figure--in Lewis' book. As you read the passage below, you'll see why I'm so excited to see the movie. And the fantastic thing is that this fantasy is real.

"'This is what the LORD says to me: 'As a lion growls, a great lion over his prey--and though a whole band of shepherds is called together against him, he is not frightened by their shouts or disturbed by their clamor--so the LORD Almighty will come down to do battle on Mount Zion and on its heights.'" (Isaiah 31:4)

Just Rest

This morning I read Isaiah 30. God is beyond frustrated with His people. They don't want to listen to the prophets and hear what their future will be if they continue to ignore God. Despite God's frustration with them, He tells them how much He wants to do for them if they will only look to Him for their survival and protection.

"This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says: 'In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength...'" (Is. 30:15).

Isaiah further says, "Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion...How gracious he will be when you cry for help! Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, 'This is the way; walk in it'" (Is. 30:19b, 21).

Yesterday I read an article about napping. Short times of rest can re-energize us and make us more effective in our work. Furthermore, taking time to relax and be peaceful can do wonders for our mental health. Similarly, if we will quiet ourselves and tune in to God and allow Him to take the stresses that weigh us down, we will find that He is in fact our salvation of, not only our souls, but also of our daily struggles and anxieties.

The holiday season is here. I urge you to take many chunks of time, even if it's just 15-minute snippets, to quiet your spirit and remember what Christmas celebrates. And while you're at it, make times of peace and quiet a New Year's Resolution for 2006.

The Process of Pain

In Psalm 22, David is in serious distress. This chapter is a wonderful example of what to do when we are feeling the same way.

He begins, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from the words of my groaning?" (Ps. 22:1). God does not want us to try to hide our emotions from Him. After all, He knows our thoughts before we think them! He's a big enough God to handle your ranting, groaning, and complaining. But you must be prepared to quiet yourself in His presence, too, in order to perceive His response.

David goes on to say, "In you our fathers put their trust; they trusted and you delivered them. They cried to you and were saved; in you they trusted and were not disappointed" (Ps. 22:4-5). David reminds himself of God's track record. God saved His people from Egyptian captivity, among other bonds.

Therefore, based on his assurance of God's goodness and ability to rescue, David requests, "But you, O LORD, be not far off; O my Strength, come quickly to help me" (Ps. 22:19). Because he has recognized what God has done in the past, David can now ask God for comfort and help.

David ends in praising God: "I will declare your name to my brothers; in the congregation I will praise you. You who fear the LORD, praise him! All you descendants of Jacob, honor him! Revere him, all you descendants of Israel! For he has not despised or disdained the suffering of the afflicted one; he has not hidden his face from him but has listened to his cry for help" (Ps. 22:22-24).

I pray that when you feel helpless and alone, you will follow David's steps of processing your pain.

The Worship of Rules...or the Rules of Worship?

Last night in church (our church added a Sunday night service, just like the morning service, this past August), the thought struck me that I seem to worship God more intently when I'm at home in my study reading His word or when I'm listening to worship music at home. At first, I felt somehow guilty about this, that I should worship God the most at church because, so the idea goes, that's where you do your worshiping. But then I thought about Jesus' words in John 4 to the Samaritan woman: "'A time is coming when you will worship neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem...Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks'" (John 4:21, 23).

When I read Isaiah 29 this morning, a verse with a related message stuck out to me: "The LORD says: 'These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is made up only of rules taught by men" (Is. 29:13). So, you see, the important thing is not where you do your worshiping; it is that you actually do worship and it's the condition of your heart when you worship. Our narrow human minds like to keep things in a neat little box. But God's ideas cannot be confined to such small spaces.

While church may not be your primary place of worship (mine is in my house), God wants you to be involved in a church family. We are called to encourage one another. It's hard living out in the world, so we need times of encouragement and refocusing so that we can effectively live for God in the world. Hebrews 10:25 says, "Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another."

Another verse I found amusing and significant was Isaiah 29:16. "You turn things upside down, as if the potter were thought to be like the clay! Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, 'He did not make me'? Can the pot say of the potter, 'He knows nothing'?" How often do we think we know what's best for us better than God does? I like this verse because it's a silly but effective reminder that God is in charge and He knows best.

Joys of Kings

I read Psalm 21 this morning. King David praises God for all He has done for him. Two verses include "joy" in them, and that's what I'd like to share today. David must have been quite a guy. It's encouraging to hear a king with such power be humbled by his God and find his supreme joy in Him.

"O LORD, the king rejoices in your strength. How great is his joy in the victories you give!" (Ps. 21:1).

"Surely you have granted him eternal blessings and made him glad with the joy of your presence" (Ps. 21:6).

God's Garden Take 2

I love that the major site of God's original creation was a garden. God enjoys enjoying what He has made. He must really like food. Should I say I must be a girl after His heart, in that way? ;) Think about it...He promises us a huge banquet meal when the earth is made new. He put His first children in a garden and told them it was there for them to enjoy it. He walked with them, so it seems natural that He would have hung out with Adam and Eve, plucking berries, slurping on honeysuckle, and biting apples so succulent that the juices must have run down His chin. (Note: The Bible says the infamous fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil was "fruit," not specifically an apple. I think it's a shame that apples get a bad rap for that scandal.)

In Isaiah 27, there are some yummy verses about "that day."

"In that day--'Sing about a fruitful vineyard: I, the LORD, watch over it; I water it continually. I guard it day and night so that no one may harm it'" (Is. 27:2-3). Maybe we're the vineyard. Maybe He's preparing the vineyard for us. Either way, I like that God is tending it in anticipation of our homecoming.

God goes on to describe how things will be at the end of earthly time.

"'I am not angry. If only there were briers and thorns confronting me! I would march against them in battle; I would set them all on fire. Or else let them come to me for refuge; let them make peace with me, yes, let them make peace with me'" (Is. 27:4-5). I'm not sure what exactly is going on here, but I'll take a stab at it. It seems to me that God is saying it would be easier if the problem of evil were simply briers threatening His creation. But unfortunately, souls are involved, so He has to provide for reconciliation. We are the briers. Specifically, our sinful, fallen nature is the briers. We must come to Him and make peace. God must be against sin because of His pure nature of holiness. And fortunately, He is a loving God, so He gave up His Son to die for us, to make our peace with God and His peace with us possible.

Other neat-o verses:

"In days to come Jacob will take root, Israel will bud and blossom and fill all the world with fruit" (Is. 27:6). I think this further supports that heaven will actually be heaven on earth.

"And in that day a great trumpet will sound. Those who were perishing in Assyria and those who were exiled in Egypt will come and worship the LORD on the holy mountain in Jerusalem" (Is. 27:13).

Dwelling in the Dust

"For dust you are and to dust you will return" (Genesis 3:19b).

God created Adam from dust. We will become dust. Throughout the Old Testament, dust is used as an image of mortality. It is sometimes used to refer to death. Also, putting dust or ashes on one's self was a sign of mourning in biblical times. We are made of dust, we live in a dusty world, and we ourselves will return to dust.

This morning I read Isaiah 26, which continues to talk about what God will do "in that day." The first verses I highlight deal more with what He does on earth, but can also apply to what He'll do in at the end of earthly time.

"The path of the righteous is level; O upright One, you make the way of the righteous smooth. Yes, LORD, walking in the way of your laws (or "judgments," says the footnote), we wait for you; your name and renown are the desire of our hearts" (Is. 26:7-8).

"[A]ll that we have accomplished you have done for us" (Is. 26:12b). I really like that verse. Without our God's support, we will accomplish nothing. Sometimes things may seem successful, but that is only a facade.

Here's the verse that really got me. It includes "my" word, "joy," and it's just beautiful.

"But your dead will live; their bodies will rise. You who dwell in the dust, wake up and shout for joy. Your dew is like the dew of the morning; the earth will give birth to her dead" (Is. 26:19).

As I discussed in my post yesterday, the earth will be made new. There's a verse in one of Paul's (I think it's one of his) epistles (Romans?) that says the earth itself is in the pains of birth. One day the earth will be delivered of its pain. In that time, the bodies of those who have died will rise. It's important to note that their spirits live now. It is their bodies, the dust, that will be birthed anew.

Again, if you want more information on these ideas, check out the sermon series "Amazing Place!" on my church's website. I'm just passing along ideas that I've heard and have processed in my own mind, as I'm finding other verses that support them.

May God bless you immensely with His joy today. Remember that His joy is your strength (Nehemiah 8:10b)!

God's Extreme Makeover: Home Edition

A few months ago our minister taught a series about heaven. My husband and I missed a few of the sermons due to my husband's hip surgery. So a couple of nights ago we accessed our church's sermons online and listened to the messages we had missed. One of the main ideas our minister discussed was the "new earth" that is described in the Bible. "Behold, I will create new heavens and a new earth" (Isaiah 65:17a). It seems that earth, the "new earth" that God will restore, will be our eternal home. God originally walked with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. Abandoning that perfection would be conceding defeat to Satan. God simply can't do that! So, He will redeem the earth as He has redeemed us.

I read Isaiah 16-25 this morning and found more verses that remind me of God's promises of restoration. The first one shows how our salvation is at all possible.

"In love a throne will be established; in faithfulness a man will sit on it--one from the house of David--one who in judging seeks justice and speeds the cause of righteousness" (Is. 16:5). Jesus, who became man, will reign finally. Earlier verses in Isaiah have prophesied about His perfect government.

The other verses I read this morning describe the earth's curse and its purification as well as the gifts God will give us after the "makeover" of the earth. Two years ago my husband and I bought a house that had not been cared for by its former owner. For years, it had been mistreated and left to ruin because of the hard hearts of its occupants. But we bought it and have restored much of the house (such things take time for mere mortals) to be a home of enjoyment and comfort. The same can be said of our earth. When Adam and Eve sinned, humankind was not the only one lost. The earth was cursed as well. "The earth dries up and withers, the world languishes and withers, the exalted of the earth languish. The earth is defiled by its people; they have disobeyed the laws, violated the statutes and broken the everlasting covenant. Therefore, a curse consumes the earth" (Is. 24:4-6a).

But then, when the earth has been made new, we will celebrate. "On this mountain the LORD Almighty will prepare a feast of rich food for all peoples, a banquet of aged wine--the best of meats and the finest of wines. On this mountain he will destroy the shroud that enfolds all peoples, the sheet that covers all nations; he will swallow up death forever. The Sovereign LORD will wipe away the tears from all faces; he will remove the disgrace of his people from all the earth. The LORD has spoken" (Is. 25:6-8).

If you're interested in hearing more about heaven, I recommend this series. Click on "My Church" on the right side of this page. Once on my church's website, click on "Sermons Online" on the left side of the home page. The series is titled "Amazing Place!" and began on April 3. I believe there are 11 sermons total.

I can't wait till the makeover is complete and the time for the revealing has come!

Calling for Heavenly Back-up

When a police officer needs help with a situation, he calls for back-up. Similarly, in a difficult battle, a military officer may send for reinforcements. Sometimes in this life, we need help in dealing with frustrating situations. We need back-up.

King David understood the need for additional support. More than that, he knew that God's reinforcements were best. He said, "May the LORD answer you when you are in distress; may the name of the God of Jacob protect you. May he send help from the sanctuary and grant you support from Zion" (Ps. 20:1-2). When you're having trouble with a situation, call for heavenly back-up. Request divine reinforcements. God has made his troops available to us.

Furthermore, David recognized that God was to be given glory for His works on man's behalf. "We will shout for joy when you are victorious and will lift up our banners in the name of our God" (Ps. 20:5). Notice in this verse that God is praised for victory, not humankind.

As a king, David had to consider military tactics and political strategies. It was his job. But he knew where real strength lies. "Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God. They are brought to their knees and fall, but we rise up and stand firm" (Ps. 20:7-8).

When you are feeling overwhelmed, pause a moment, collect your thoughts and emotions, and make that request for God's back-up.

Words of the Skies

My mother loved clouds. Really, she loved nature in general. But in recent years, she was particularly fascinated with clouds. Subjects of her photography were as often clouds as they were family and friends.

So this morning as I read the opening lines of Psalm 19, I naturally thought of her.

"The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world." ~Psalm 19:1-4a

Perhaps King David was enjoying the simplicity of a glorious sunrise, and his thoughts turned to the simple joys of following his God. After describing the beauty of the heavens, he said, "The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes" (Ps. 19:7-8).

Perhaps David was awake before dawn because he couldn't sleep, worried about a decision to be faced. Or perhaps the weight of his position made rest impossible. Sometimes you have to find wisdom in the simple before you can find wisdom in more complicated and confusing matters. I imagine that he found comfort in the knowledge that God's laws of nature as well as those of morality are perfect. Even without a proper amount of sleep, I think David probably felt very rested that morning. Drawing on God's strength provides much more energy than an ordinary night's sleep.

I myself was awake before dawn this morning. The window of our study faces east and is calling me to just sit and watch. I think I'll go listen to the skies talk.