Psalm 138 ~ my strength of soul You increased

Psalm 138

David Cochran, English Standard Version

¹ I give you thanks, O LORD, with my whole heart;
before the gods I sing your praise;
² I bow down toward your holy temple and
give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness,
for you have exalted above all things your name and your word.
³On the day I called, you answered me; my strength of soul you increased.

⁴ All the kings of the earth shall give you thanks, O LORD,
for they have heard the words of your mouth,
⁵and they shall sing of the ways of the LORD,
for great is the glory of the LORD.
⁶ For though the LORD is high, he regards the lowly,
but the haughty he knows from afar.

⁷ Though I walk in the midst of trouble,
you preserve my life;
you stretch out your hand against the wrath of my enemies,
and your right hand delivers me.
⁸The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me;
your steadfast love, O LORD, endures forever.
Do not forsake the work of your hands.

This is the week we've feted the Needlepoint Group, the College Parents Prayer Group and the Couples Group, we've been in for 11 years. 3 parties in 5 days in our home. (My youngest son chipped his left front tooth with a longboard accident, I went in with him to the dentist to recover my right front tooth! Again.) Covered Dish - many hands make the work lighter and the joy more lasting. Last night I had 3 hours of sleep. Yet there is real joy. It has been a year of looking forward with hope and so much better from the first two Christmas' after Isabelle's death. The Scripture says we look forward to the future with a smile.

Not even the traffic has put a snarl in my heart.

As Christmas Day approaches, we also think about what this year has brought us.

God gives us time to heal. To give us blessings to fill our heart. Lots of reading Scripture for the comfort. So many small matters have really been placed in perspective of importance. Really learning not to fret. In the middle of all of that trouble, God has saved my life. It wasn't lost; sometimes we just need to remember how saved we are. I am stronger. My strength of soul, He has increased. In His love He will continue to fulfill His purpose for me.

And for you as well.

Merry Christmas.

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