Wise Advice

 

One of my favorite Bible characters is David. He was quite the "character" at times, too. David was not perfect, didn't do everything right, and made lots of mistakes. Boy, do I relate! But he was also quick to repent. I find his psalms to be open, honest, real, and raw. In fact, it was Psalm 13 that helped me on my caregiving journey. 

Caregiving has its own mix of emotional roller coasters. Not to brag, but I can go from mountaintop to deep, dark valley and back to the mountaintop in less than 3 seconds. And, still not bragging, but I can do it hundreds of times a day...or an hour. David's open honesty helped me realize I really could share my emotional crazies with God. It's not like He doesn't know anyway.

Today, in Psalm 119, I found a small emotional crazy of David's, I think. I love verse 24, which says Your decrees please me: they give me good advice. David sounds content. He seems to have found a moment of peace and realized that it is God's word that gives him the advice he needs for his own crazy world.

But in the very next verse (25), David says, I lie in the dust, completely discouraged; revive me by Your word. What's up with that? Has David been reading the caregiver's diary? Lol. I get the conversational whiplash... Your word gives me good advice...to...I am completely discouraged. 

What changed between these two verses? Maybe David had a touch of ADHD, too. I relate. It's so easy to get distracted in today's technologically advanced age of information... It's so easy to go from trusting and leaning on God's word to despair. Yet God still let this part be cannonized and put in our Bibles. That seems small, but to me, it's God's signature.

He gets our total trust. He gets our overwhelm. God understands our emotional crazies and fluctuations, without judgment. He still promises to be our peace, even with the knowledge of how crazy it can be inside the human mind. 

We can still pray just like David, Lord, revive me by your word! And God will still do it! The word has great and wise advice. It contains story after story of imperfect people who trusted God in adverse circumstances (whether they caused them or not!), and a God who came through for them every single time.

Today, I'll remind myself that I will find wise, time-tested advice in the Word. I'll also find a compassionate God who doesn't condemn my emotional crazies, but meets me in them. I'm so thankful that His word isn't written just for those who "have it all together." My meditation will be on how His word revives my soul. I'll think about the peace He gives and never takes back! I'll meditate on His grace that is always enough - no matter what a day throws my way. My thoughts will be on His mercies that were refreshed and renewed just for me (and you) this morning. I believe I can trust Him for one more day. Will you join me?