Journal for May 26th… Be Gracious

5:40 AM

Psalm 56

Be gracious to me, God.

Lord, Your Word will often reflect the thoughts and impressions of my own heart. Many times Your very words express what I want to say better than I could do. Thank You, Father, for Your Word. You did not make us clamor and search for You; You revealed Yourself to us…to me! Thank You, Lord. I want to praise You this morning for everything. Yes, even while many are still digging out of the natural disasters in the world, and even while I, and folks I know, are struggling with one thing or another, I want to praise You. No matter what happens on earth, You are still just as worthy of praise! In the big scheme of things, You will outlast all this -- and because of Jesus, so will I !

Be gracious to me, God, as You already have v1. Man would trample me, fight me and oppress me, but You are gracious to me.

I praise Your Word v10, and I trust in You. I will try to trust You even when circumstances are difficult and dark; I will try to trust You…I want to trust You. Let Your Spirit build my confidence in You more and more.

There have been times that You delivered me from death (snakes, car accidents come to mind, for example); but You delivered me from death in the sense that You've allowed me to be alive. You haven't vaporized me yet. And, You delivered me from death, eternal death, the second death, through the horrible, but gracious, sacrifice of Jesus in my place. You have been gracious to me already.

Thank You for so many things. I will have eternity to thank You for my salvation; and for the family and friends that You have given me; and for putting me into ministry (even though I doubted myself more than You did sometimes). Thank You for my health, too.

Please put a strong hedge of protection around my family and church today…in the Name of Jesus, the crucified, then risen Son of God and the power of His blood I ask it.

Just hearing my prayers, which I am confident You do, is a move of graciousness on Your part. Be gracious…be glorified…be God today. I am second.