September 13, 2024 -Raise a Hallelujah

Isaiah 12:1-14:32

2 Corinthians 13:1-14

Psalm 57:1-11

Proverbs 23:9-11

One Year Bible Audio & Daily Reading (oneyearbibleonline.com)

Today I read while riding in the car to New York City to celebrate my daughter's marriage. It's a wonderful and joyful time. I am looking forward to it so much. However, the last few days has been exceptionally stressful. Not only was I preparing for the trip, packing, making sure that we have everything that we need to take, but this is the most busy and stressful time of year at my work and therefore the worst time to take time off. On top of that the other girl in the office has been off sick the last 3 days so in addition to me trying to get my work caught up I have had to take care of the things that came up for her work that was needed immediately. Then my Facebook was hacked and used to start an Instagram account that violated polices so my account was suspended. Which means that I can't get access to the account to deal with the security issues. And I didn't have time to research my options. This is on the bottom of my priorities list but I have concerns for anyone else that may be accessed through my account. If there is inappropriate content being shared under my name I worry because of all my youth group friends and my groups for church but there is nothing I can do about it. Today our car is packed full and I must rely on my son to properly pack and transport the cookies for the party in his car. Which is difficult for me being that it is feels so important. So, when we were driving and I saw that there was a problem with how things in the back of the car had shifted I was like the weight of the stress had shifted and I started to cry. I have been praying and I know that it will all work out because He is in control. I truly believe that, but the hectic pace and need to not just multitask but multitask many important things at once has taken a physical toll on me. When I read the Psalm reading today I remembered that God may be in control but I must take the time to take care of myself as well. The first thing I can do is spend time with Him.

Psalm 57:1 Have mercy on me, my God,

have mercy on me,

    for in you I take refuge.

I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings

    until the disaster has passed.

2 I cry out to God Most High,

    to God, who vindicates me.

As I read these words I cried them out to the Lord and felt His wings comfort me as I took refuge in them.

Psalm 57:7 My heart, O God, is steadfast,

    my heart is steadfast;

    I will sing and make music.

8 Awake, my soul!

    Awake, harp and lyre!

    I will awaken the dawn.

9 I will praise you, Lord, among the nations;

    I will sing of you among the peoples.

10 For great is your love, reaching to the heavens;

    your faithfulness reaches to the skies.

11 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;

    let your glory be over all the earth.

Then as I read these words I called out to my soul to awake and tears poured out and I knew what I needed to do. I put on praise music and sang in the car as loud as I could while crying. I put on my This is Us Conference playlist on Spotify and this was the first song that came on. Just before it started I had turned my face toward sun shining in the window saying that I feel like a flower sometimes because I turn my face and lean toward the sunshine. And then I hear "Who taught the sun to shine every morning?"

He carries the pain of His children in whom I am one and I praise Him! There were so many songs that played that spoke to my heart. And as I sang my tears of stress became tears of praise. Thank you Lord!

If you would like to listen to my playlist here it is.

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/448Xoy4tjYmzOfkm2QSxH0?si=9d743c5e78314a33

The Psalms shows us over and over again that when we are struggling praising God is the best medicine. Our weapon is a melody so raise a Hallelujah and heaven will come and fight for you!

Thank you Lord for a husband who when I am crying asks what is wrong and patiently listens. And when I said I know what I need to do, I need to put on some praise music and sing, he says put them on and never once complained about how loud the music was or how bad my singing was.

God is good.