.dwelling.

Today = Luke 7:1-17 + Psalm 4 + Genesis 8-10

Well I wasn't going to post today because I got back much much later than expected and I'm completely and totally exhausted. I could sleep until noon if my body got the chance.... but a certain family Cuban breakfast at 7:30 tomorrow will prevent that I'm afraid...

I've been commenting mostly on the reading in Luke, which is fine because I do love Luke, but I need to switch it up just a little. And hopefully I will have a little more time to write some days... Psalm 4 is the reading I really paid attention to today. It's a psalm of David, and speaks of deliverance and struggle and love. I'm just going to write the whole thing, well, because I can :)

"Answer me when I call to you, O my righteous God. Give me relief from my distress; be merciful to me and hear my prayer. How long, O men, will you turn my glory into shame? How long will you love delusions and seek false gods? Know that the Lord has set apart the godly for himself; the Lord will hear when I call to him. In your anger do not sin; when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent. Offer right sacrifices and trust in the Lord. Many are asking, 'Who can show us any good?' Let the light of your face shine upon us O Lord. You have filled my heart with greater joy than when their grain and new wine abound. I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety." (Psalm 4)

I love seeing a glimpse of David's heart for God in this. He loves him and trusts him so much. He doesn't wish for anything more than God's love and is satisfied in it. I wish I could say the same. I wish I could always say "Your have filled my heart with greater joy than when their grain and new wine abound..." Sometimes I'm not satisfied. Heck, most days I seem to be thirsting for something other than God. But in everything that I've ever thirsted for or sought after that wasn't God, it didn't give my that peace. God's peace is not a sunny cloudless day with no obligations or fighting or problems. God's peace is something that happens when there ARE problems, and turmoil and hardship and during those times of chaos we feel that we truly are dwelling in safety. That the Lord will hear us when we call. I also love the line from this psalm that says, "In your anger, do not sin; when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent." (Psalm 4:4) I love the thought of just laying down on my comfy bed to rest, and examining the depths of my heart and just being silent and listening for God. Not with expectations of an epiphany or of angels popping out of the sky, but just of a heart-surrender to my God. Of waiting and listening and loving all that he is.