Clinging to the Word

A few weeks ago a sweet co-worker at Redeemer came and spoke to my and Amy's fellowship group.  She has a hard, emotional, and amazing testimony, but what I noticed most about her as she spoke is that Jesus radiates through her.  Andi has gone through the storms, but through it she has learned to cling to the Word of God in a way that few will ever do.  I look at her and hope that I one day I will know the Lord in the way that she does.  That no matter where the Lord takes me or what happens in my life that people would always see the beauty of Jesus in me.
when she spoke to us she gave us several passages that she has clung too through the years.  most of these passages I have been familiar with, but I felt the newness of them again this past week as I poured over these verses.  It was a new sweetness to me.  Words that were alive and active in a way that they haven't been in awhile.
The Lord has been showing me once again how out of my control my life really is.  Although I ultimately know the Lord's best really is best, it is sometimes hard to understand why He takes you through the windy path that he does.  I have recently been reminded of this as I watched my sister and bro-in-law last week once again lose a baby that they thought they would be adopting.  I was getting so excited to be a aunt and to watch my sister be a mom, and my parents be grandparents and when I first heard the news my first response was "why God why."   In that moment I really wanted to shake my fist at God but instead I decided to dig in to God's word.  To open his words and look at his character, at his promises, at the words that I know to be true....whether I "feel" like they are or not. And as I read and prayed I slowly felt the peace that surpasses all understanding wash over me.  I felt the Lord's presence and knew that even if my sinful self could not understand how his plan in this could be good, the truth is that it was good and it is good. I think that is what continually amazes me about the Lord.  Life is scary  and un-predictable, but when we turn to the Lord and put our complete hope in Him we really can know that it's going to be ok.  That He really is so much bigger than our circumstances and He really will "work all things out for our good".  It is a daily battle to believe that, but I honestly don't know how else to get through life.
Some passages I've been clinging to......


"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. The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever"  Psalm 138: 7-8


When my soul was embittered, when I was pricked in heart, I was brutish and ignorant; I was like a beast before you. Nevertheless, I am continually with you; you hold my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory. whom have I in heaven but you? and there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.  Psalm 73: 21-27


But as for me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord God my refuge, that I may tell of all your works.  Psalm 73:28


Once God has spoken; twice have I heard this; that power belongs to God, and that to you, oh Lord, belongs steadfast love. Psalm 62: 11-12


"But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope; the steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning' great is your faithfulness. The Lord is my portion, says my soul, therefore I will hope in him.  Lamentations 3:21-24  (my 2011 theme verse)

And if you are interested, you can watch Andi's Story HERE.