Because!

 Didn't you hate it as a child when you asked a parent, why? and got the standard answer, because I said so? Or even worse - just because. It's even worse to have to admit that, as parents, we did it to our children. LOL. It can certainly give "because" a bad reputation and bring out the eye-roll. :-) But sometimes, it's the only answer that makes sense in the moment.

As I was reading through Psalm 63 this morning, I found because two times. However, in this case, it's there for a reason. It's more like a therefore, which, when we read therefore in scriptures, we want to look back to see what it is there for. It's always in reference to something that's just been said.

But because is a little different in that it seems to be offering a reason or a why. At least in Psalm 63 it seems that way. 

In verse 3 David says, because Your livingkindness is better than life , I will praise You.

In verse 7, David says, because You have been my help, I will rejoice as I hide in the shadow of Your wings.

David, who happens to be in the wilderness when he writes this psalm, is explaining the why. Why am I going to praise God? Because He has been good to me. He is my shelter. He has kept me. He has never left me stranded emotionally. He has helped me and continued to be a shelter for me in times of trouble. He has given me HIS peace....and we could go on and on.

An old song comes to mind. Oh, how I love Jesus! The last phrase in the chorus says, because He first loved me! Right now, I'm loving because.

Today, I will trust God because He has walked this crazy journey called life with me and never left me alone for a single step! I can stay in the shelter of His wings because it's always available and open! I can give Him all my cares, because He will care for me! Man, I'm loving God right now! I believe I can trust Him for one more day - just because! Will you join me?

Check out one of my best-selling books - 31 Days in Psalm 31. It's a devotional taken from Psalm 31 (obviously!) - a time when David was hiding in a cave from Saul - even though he'd been anointed the next king. The social isolation of caregiving can certainly make it feel like we live in a cave, but God is there with us. And that's what this 31-day devotional is all about, exploring and discovering God in the caves of life. You can get the eBook from my shop at Buy Me A Coffee. Or the print and kindle versions are available in my Amazon Shop.