Breathing Space

O. T. #1226  "Breathing Space"
June 20, 2018
Psalm 39
Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear unto my cry; hold not Thy peace at my tears: for I am a stranger with Thee, and a sojourner, as all my fathers were. O spare me, that I may recover strength, before I go hence, and be no more.  Psalm 39:12-13

LET IT GLOW

Crying children, deadlines at work, family needs, laundry piled sky high. Need some breathing space? What about a time of refreshment? Vacations, a weekend get-away, lunch with a friend, even a bathroom break-they serve their purpose for a short time, get us away from the ho-hum daily grind, whether it is to the beach, the mountains, the city or the country. And we breath in the peace of God. What do we find upon our return home? Nothing changed while we were gone. (That is why I like to leave with a full dishwasher and empty clothes hamper. It is easier to come home with a suitcase of dirty laundry to be washed.) Maybe it is our attitude that changed. We need it by and by, no matter our age.

I think David was in great need of something. Life got so bad for him that tears came as he cried out to God. It must have been really bad. David was the man who killed a bear, lion, and giant. He ran for his life from Saul and his own son, and survived. He was King of Israel.
David has come to the place in life where he concludes: Without God, life is vain, empty.
Now that conclusion could be no better spoken. His son Solomon came to the same conclusion.

God's love never fails, never gives up, never runs out.
Let's get our worship on, let God take us away, filling us with His Spirit. Then we can breath again and face our "it" head on.

LET IT GROW

Finish the work of life before life is finished. (Matthew Henry)

Now that is a profound statement, wouldn't you agree?
What does our psalmist, King David have to sing about, though a downer song?

• He promises restraint of his tongue, fails to keep it, then prays to God for divine compassion. Bridling the tongue is such a difficult task. Issues with the mouth are hard to overcome, we would all agree. (verses 1-3)
• David vents his inner most feelings before God. To avoid the embarrassment of complaint, he remains silent, speechless. (verse 2)
• The wicked pursuing David and his afflictions have made his heart hot. (verse 3)
• David asked the Lord to let him know how many days of life he had left, so he'd be assured his trial would soon end. (verse 6)
• Riches are left behind and not taken into eternity.

Bitterness rubbed against anguish causes the spark of complaint. (Falwell)

Life is not a bed of roses. We live among sinful people, of which we are one. Things happen. The one to whom we need to pour out our heart is God. Sure, there are times that a listening ear of a close friend or spouse gives us a different perspective on things. A hug doesn't hurt either.

LET IT GO

Breath on me, Lord Jesus.
Fill me with a song of praise unto You as I do my ho-hum tasks.
Help my friends to find Your peace right now.
Wwe need Your grace and love overflowing.