I cannot tell you how much I love my chronological read-thru-the-bible-in-a-year plan using The Message. I.love.it. Honestly, my passion and love for God’s written Word has quadrupled! Thank you, again, Eugene Peterson.
I just finished 1 Samuel and as you get to the last ten or so chapters, about David hiding from king Saul who is trying his best to kill David, the chronology jumps you over into the Psalms because it was during this time of hiding in caves and being on the run, David wrote some of his most profound prose. O! how I love his words. Y’all, he just said it – sometimes it wasn’t pretty or poetic, in fact, at times it was downright mean and vicious. David was R.E.A.L. (On the fly here, let’s write an acronym: Raw Emotional And Lusty) Yep, that’s David.
Today, my reading took me to Psalm 18 – I had already read about seven chapters and I knew my attention span was on the downward side so I decided to read it out loud. I was home alone with Sam at my feet. I started out slow.
I love You, God — You make me strong. God is bedrock under my feet, the castle in which I live, my rescuing knight. My God — the high crag where I run for dear life, hiding behind the boulders, safe in the granite hideout. v.1-2
Bam! The devil immediately condemned me, “When you were running away, trying to hide back in the 80’s, you ran away from God as fast as you could.”
I kept reading.
The hangman’s noose was tight at my throat; devil waters rushed over me. Hell’s ropes cinched me tight; death traps barred every exit. v.4-5
“Yeah, devil, that was YOU.”
I kept reading.
…I call to God, I cry to God to help me. From His palace He hears my call; my cry brings me right into His presence — a private audience! v.6
Then sweet Holy Spirit came…reminded me of the day I cried out for help and sure enough, I had a private encounter with my God.
I kept reading.
I can’t explain what happened this morning, but it did and that’s all that matters. The words from Psalm 18, read from The Message, were a soothing balm for my soul…just listen to this:
But me He caught — reached all the way from sky to sea; He pulled me out of that ocean of hate, that enemy chaos, the void in which I was drowning. They hit me when I was down, but God stuck by me. He stood me up on a wide-open field; I stood there saved — surprised to be loved!
God made my life complete when I placed all the pieces before Him. When I got my act together, He gave me a fresh start. Now, I’m alert to God’s ways; I don’t take God for granted. Every day I review the ways He works; I try not to miss a trick. I feel put back together, and I’m watching my step. God rewrote the text of my life when I opened the book of my heart to His eyes. v.16-24
Now, people, surely this is a reason to stand up and do the happy hallelujah dance.
God rewrote the text of my life when I opened the book of my heart to His eyes.
How’s YOUR story going? Have you opened the book of your heart to The One who can rewrite it?
O! Glory!
xo
By the way, I’m linked up with all those pretty badges on the right sidebar today: Jennifer, Holly, Holley, Beth, Kristin, Jenny, and Jaime.
As I’m laying in bed reading this, yes, let’s be honest, I’m laying in bed reading this. I’m reading and reading this over and over again! And my spirit is waking up dancing and singing his praises to our Lord… I Love it! Keep opening my heart to you Lord!!!
HM, I’ve been dancing since I read it!!! JOY! Why are you still in bed? Sciatica? OH LORD, touch my friend. xo
Susan, That’s a BIG truth! The Word of God is so incredibly, indescribably, supernaturally powerful! I just can’t get enough! Amen! Blessings, liz
It really is, isn’t it, Liz?
Susan, I love this testimony to the power of the Word. I’ve loved the Message, but have never attacked it comprehensively as you are doing. Right now we’re reading through, the patient husband and I, and I’m always surprised at what an encouragement the Old Testament stories give to my faith!
POWER PACKED!
Amazingly wonderful! I have done better this year in reading the Word than “ever”, but, I’m thinking perhaps I’d like to get the Bible you speak of sometime. Yes, I do think I would like to do that. Love you!
Oh yes, it’s a must. 2017 THE MESSAGE!!!
Ooooh, Psalm 18 from The Message is LOVELY. Thanks for sharing. xoxo
So lovely, Kristin!
Susan, what a joy to read this as I begin my day! What a great reminder of how He cares for us! Blessings to you!
It’s rich, isn’t it Gayl?
Love it and your personal perspective! The Lord is mighty to save and worthy of ALL our praise!
Debbie – LOVE that you came over for a visit!!! Hugs to you and Mama Ruth!
Love this, Susan! Precious moments in God’s word when He speaks to us so clearly…one of my favorites Scriptures from The Message is …
Matthew 11:28-30 The Message “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” Many blessings to you, sweet friend!
Thanks Beth!!
that is beautiful…and a stunning reminder of what GOD has done for us…reaching down from sky to sea and picking us up from an ocean of hate…WOW! miraculous isn’t it?
I mean – it really is, isn’t it Martha? xo
What a great way to start the day…His word is always the perfect place to begin …I remember when He came into my heart…over 40+ yrs ago and it just keeps getting sweeter all the time. I had no idea what Holy Spirit was or what to do next…called my grandpaw Lewis and he told me where to start reading and oh how happy he was…. HE was an example to me all of his life…To God be the glory for all HE has done and will continue to do. Shalom
Always! xo
Would like to use the Bible study guide next year that you are now using. I do like to read The Message. It’s so real and honest.
Needed this today…to be reminded that I am among His beloved.
I sent you an email. xo
Hallelujah! I so appreciated that you shared the devil’s comments to you. He has the nerve to do that to me to…
The Message just seems to be more relevant to the way we talk today. Just saying. I am currently reading the Psalms from The Passion translation and GOD is really using this version to currently speak to my heart.
Bless you!
Lora, I’m not familiar with that translation but I’m sure it is splendid. Thanks for coming over today.
I bet that is a totally different experience to read it chronologically! I love flipping over to the message, especially when I am really reading to hear an answer.
I highly recommend it, Melissa!
What an amazing post. Thank you for your testimony.
Thank you Shelly.
Susan,
My heart finds great comfort in the Psalms as well. I think if you’ve ever been “in the pit” you can relate to God reaching down and lifting you up out of the muck and mire. He was faithful to help David in the Old Testament, and He is still faithful today. My life is a living testimony to that.
Blessings and thanks for sharing,
Bev
Still…and always! Thanks, Bev.
Love! The Message is one of my fave translations too. At the funk dance show I was at on Sunday evening, the girls danced to an awesome “Hallelujah” song titled “Good to be alive!” So good!
Love that!!!
This right here … “God rewrote the text of my life when I opened the book of my heart to His eyes.” Oh my word, those words speak to me! Thank you! Have a blessed rest of the week!
MINE TOO!!!
Saved and surprised to be loved. I enjoy the Message, but have never read it all the way through like you are doing. I’ve read the New Testament, and now you’re encouraging me to dig into it again. (Just got a new ESV, so I’ll read that version for a while. I like changing. :-))
Betsy, I love the ESV too!!! I usually use it in my blogs!