As we are interested to remain upright in all our circumstances especially those that may seem dark we are given the assurance that all will be well. In each moment we can choose to be upright letting whatever cycles and seasons work out for a greater light and glory to be known. Let us rest in the assurance of being upright.
RETURN UNTO THY REST, O MY SOUL;
“FOR THE LORD HATH DEALT BOUNTIFULLY WITH THEE.” If you think about this statement the “O my soul,”part is striking. Something more formative than our own earthly soul is calling to put our soul to rest. It has been said each of us has our own individual and unique Lord that actually bountifully animates us! Remember also that the Lord that animates our soul is a Lord of the LORD of Lords. As we consider the Oneness of God let us know there is something so solid, so real, so constant that the awareness of ourselves may come to rest in. This verse opens a door to the knowing of a greater peace in our temporal soul as well as the greater action of the working of God through us as we position ourselves to listen and attend to the callings of our Lord of the LORD. As we do so we may find that we are at rest in acting accordingly. May we know the following: RETURN UNTO THY REST AND THY ACTION, O MY SOUL.
THAT THY BELOVED MAY BE DELIVERED—IN THE BEAUTIES OF HOLINESS
As we upright and still our soul while opening to acknowledge a presence greater than our conscious awareness something of our beloved may come through ourselves. Another psalm verse written shortly after in 110 has the words, “in the beauties of holiness.” I love putting these two verses together “that thy beloved may be delivered—in the beauties of holiness.” As we still our soul in the beauties of holiness our beloved may be delivered. Our beloved which is real, large, integrated, worshipful, majestic, wonderful loves to find its way into expression. Let’s upright and still ourselves in that which is beautiful and whole that we may be filled full to overflowing letting our beloved outwardly bless all the earth through us.
O GOD, MY HEART IS FIXED; I WILL SING AND GIVE PRAISE, EVEN WITH MY GLORY
As we mature and find confidences in our outer expression it becomes even more essential to fix our hearts in singing and giving praise unto the Lord. No matter what glory or just the opposite may be given to us as our hearts are so fixed the stage is set for increasing stability and our purpose to ever be so fulfilled. There is always more glory to be known ultimately for the glory of the Lord to shine all about.
I WILL BE GLAD IN THE LORD.
As I consider this verse the words I am glad in the Lord come to mind. As I turn my mind to realize what it means to be glad in the Lord it opens a doorway into the experience of being in the presence of the Lord. Here there is peace and perspective. Here there is understanding and largeness. Here there is joy. Let’s continue to open to know increasingly what it means to be glad in the Lord.
O LORD, HOW MANIFOLD ARE THY WORKS! IN WISDOM HAST THOU MADE THEM ALL
It is something to be awed by the many works of all living things and to acknowledge the wisdom of the Lord through them all. Here we find a oneness with all things as well as the Lord. Enjoy the living communion!
BLESS THE LORD, O MY SOUL, AND FORGET NOT ALL HIS BENEFITS:
WHO FORGIVETH ALL THINE INIQUITIES;
WHO HEALETH ALL THY DISEASES;
WHO REDEEMETH THY LIFE FROM DESTRUCTION;
WHO CROWNETH THEE WITH LOVINGKINDNESS AND TENDER MERCIES;
WHO SATISFIETH THY MOUTH WITH GOOD;
SO THAT THY YOUTH IS RENEWED LIKE THE EAGLE’S.
I WILL WALK WITHIN MY HOUSE WITH A PERFECT HEART.
A perfect heart is a consideration that touches my heart. As I think about this I am moved to simply still my heart and mind. I am moved to come to rest in this moment that I may know more what this actually means. I find this is something that cannot be forced. As I pause in this way my soul is filled with what it means to have a perfect heart. I can feel a deep sense of gratefulness. Here I am in awe of allowing a perfect heart be set within my soul. Here I realize more what it means to walk within my house with a perfect heart. May my meditations open up your heart in knowing a deep sense of peace and gratefulness also.
LET THE FIELD BE JOYFUL, AND ALL THAT THEREIN: THEN SHALL ALL THE TREES OF THE WOOD REJOICE
In the central current of love there is a sensing of a responsibility beyond ourselves. Here we see the central and simple responsibility to keep our field joyful in order for all dependent upon our field to rejoice. Our field is emanated through our physical forms generated from what we are experiencing mentally and emotionally. We do have a choice in the matter to choose attitudes that emanate peace, forgiveness, largeness, understanding, care, compassion, love and all such accordingly. I for one and I sense many can relate to having a responsibility to the trees on the face of the earth. That our expression can give what the trees need from us in return for all they give to us. Let’s remember our crowning creation responsibility to the trees and really all the living world.
WHEN I SAID, MY FOOT SLIPPETH; THY MERCY, O LORD, HELD ME UP
How many times even in a day do we catch ourselves realizing the miss steps we may have taken? In recognizing this it leads me to acknowledge that there is something larger holding my life up as well as the larger world in general. At the same time this awareness brings a respect for the wonderful animating force that is causing all things to be. Having a sense that there has been the forces of God holding me up it makes also think how merciful this force is. As I do give acknowledgement of it a sense of gratitude comes over me and a reaffirmation to be true to it, to not take its mercy lightly nor to expect it if and when I do make a mistake. I realize I am not entitled to it and it only can be received as I am interested to live in my highest integrity. Here the mercy of the Lord can be received. To the degree we are not putting God first the mercy of the Lord is diverted from filling our circumstances. Let’s learn to put God fully first which allows His mercy to fill us to overflowing which in turn mercy is extended through us to all in our world. Here we are held in our place as well as playing our parts in holding up the world.