psalm 116

i have been loving Jill Dezwaan’s new album, Coming Home
…particularly touched by her song Psalm 116

Gracious and Righteous, Compassionate
Merciful Savior, mine
I love Thee for hearing my sorrow and fear.
I love Thee for saving my life.
Whenever I wonder, or when I stray
Love that alloweth me pain
Shepherd King and Holy Fire
I cling to thy Promised Grace
To rescue my soul from death
my eyes from tears
and my feet from stumbling
I will walk in the land of the living
Return to thy rest oh my soul;
Be at peace within me
O my soul

Though all be false yet Thou are Truth
Rescuing, Saving Still
The proud cannot know it
in simplicity You show
the Freedom found only in Your will
what sacrifice could ever repay
blessings ten thousand mine
Lead me to repent, lest I should forget
To sing praise to thy name all my life

For you have rescued my soul from death,
my eyes from tears
and my feet from stumbling
I will walk in the land of the living
Return to thy rest oh my soul

He has have rescued my soul from death,
my eyes from tears
and my feet from stumbling
I will walk in the land of the living
Return to thy rest oh my soul
Be at peace within me
O my soul
Return to thy rest

so much death & suffering…countless of friends presently grieving the loss of close family members: fathers, mothers, husbands and young children

i am alarmed and comforted all at once. death awaits us. confronted with the reality... i will not escape physical death, nor will my loved ones.

but I have a Merciful Savior who has rescued my soul from death. He sets my feet in the land of the living & returns my soul to rest. truly He has dealt bountifully with me. with us.

grateful for this word from my sweet friend, tyne…
“…he took a last breath, and then he rode on angel wings to stand before the throne of God. Those of us who loved him prayed him over the Great Divide, both jealous and devastated as we stay behind.
Frederick Buechner calls people of God "connoisseurs of sorrow," for we are alive through the depth of Christ's suffering borne out of love for us. Today and for the foreseeable future, we wrap sadness around like a cloak. At the very same time, we are people of hope. Christ came to bring eternal life of abundant delight. To this promise we cling. O death, where is thy sting? Seems like everywhere we look at this moment. But a new tomorrow will dawn in which there is no sorrow or crying. For that day we wait.” Joni Powers (tyne’s aunt)

1 Corinthians 15: 52-55
in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For this perishable will put on the imperishable, and this mortal will put on immortality. ..then will come about the saying that is written, "death is swallowed up in victory. "O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR VICTORY? O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR STING?"

i love this sermon quote by D.L Moody…
"Someday you will read in the papers that D.L. Moody of Northfield is dead. Don't you believe a word of it. At that moment I shall be more alive than I am now… I was born in the flesh in 1837; I was born of the Spirit in 1856. That which is born of the flesh may die; that which is born of the Spirit will live forever.”

praying the comfort of Psalm 116 for all who weep & stumble today.

I love the LORD, because He hears my voice and my supplications. Because He has inclined His ear to me, therefore I shall call upon Him as long as I live. The cords of death encompassed me and the terrors of Sheol came upon me; I found distress and sorrow. Then I called upon the name of the LORD: "O LORD, I beseech You, save my life!" Gracious is the LORD, and righteous; Yes, our God is compassionate. The LORD preserves the simple; I was brought low, and He saved me. Return to your rest, O my soul, For the LORD has dealt bountifully with you. For You have rescued my soul from death, my eyes from tears, and my feet from stumbling. I shall walk before the LORD In the land of the living. I believed when I said, "I am greatly afflicted." What shall I render to the LORD For all His benefits toward me? I shall lift up the cup of salvation and call upon the name of the LORD. Precious in the sight of the LORD Is the death of His godly ones. To You I shall offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving, and call upon the name of the LORD.
Psalm 116