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A reflection on Psalm 46 and how God is greater than the troubles we encounter in midlife. Living in an age where everyone has a video camera in their pocket has its advantages: We can instantly record and archive the best experiences of our lives and share them with our friends and family. I regularly receive videos of my grandkids trying new things and being unbearably cute. But there's a definite downside, too. People record and post the scariest stuff, and once you see it, you are responsible for worrying about it for the rest of your life: new fear unlocked! I recommend you don't search on #newfearunlocked , especially if you are not fond of spiders and insects. But the reality is we can find a lot to be afraid of in this world with its 24/7 news cycle and easy access to videos of the scary experiences of billions of people around the world. There is no shortage of fears, old or new, to crowd out the truths of God's Word from our hearts and minds. But wait! Psalm 46 lists some significantly terrifying circumstances that you may not have thought of recently: Mountains sliding into oceans Seas raging Earthquakes National unrest and the destruction of civilizations Earth melting Desolation Any new fears unlocked? And while we are discussing fears, go ahead and make a mental list of the fears you are dealing with right now and add them to the psalmist's list. If we are honest about where we are right now in terms of world events, culture, and personal circumstances, we can find plenty of things to fear. But are any of our fears too big for God to handle? The psalmist tells us that even in the midst of our fears, there is a place of security in the presence of God. He describes this place of safety as God's own city, Jerusalem, where God's presence is portrayed as a river that winds in and about the city, making it secure and impregnable: There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, The holy dwelling places of the Most High. God is in the midst of her, she will not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns. Psalm 46:4-5, NASB I certainly don't live in a city like that. In fact, the crime situation in my city is on my list of personal fears. But because I believe in Jesus Christ, the dwelling place of God is within me! And the Holy Spirit flows through everyone who is saved. In fact, Jesus used the same imagery we find in Psalm 46 when He described the ministry of the Holy Spirit: "He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, 'From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.'" But this He spoke of the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive . . ." (John 7:38-39b, NASB). I find this incredible. As a believer, I may not live in a city or country where God's protection and power flow. Instead, His protection and power flow in and through me. No matter where I go or what happens around me, God is with me, God is helping me, and God is strengthening me. Therefore, I do not need to fear. Better yet, I resolve that I will not fear! And when I sense fear creeping in, I will remind myself: The LORD of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our stronghold. Psalm 46:7 and 11, NASB Psalm 46 powerfully addresses the distressing realities of life. But it sets them against the power, love, and sovereignty of God so we can clearly see which is greater. Which one is winning the battle for your heart and mind, friend? Fear? Or faith in God's sovereign power over this sin-snared world? God wants us to look to Him with courage and confidence regardless of the challenges we face. Author's note: I'm writing this post on Sunday, September 14, 2025, recognized in the US and internationally as Suicide Awareness month. In the last four weeks, our country has experienced school shootings ending in the suicide of the shooter in both Minnesota and Colorado, the horrendous murder of Iryna Zarutska on a train in North Carolina, and the assassination of Charlie Kirk in Utah. On Thursday last week, we took time to remember the 2,977 who lost their lives in the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, an event that inspired Americans to stand shoulder-to-shoulder in defense of our way of life, a defense that cost many of our military fammilies so very dearly. But today, instead of becoming unified in solidarity against such violence, our nation is more polarized and divided than ever. I don't remember a time in my life when I have had more reasons to live in fear than I do right now. But I also have more reason than ever to hope: I have seen and experienced God's faithfulness in my life for over 50 years and I believe what He says in His Word. He is our refuge and strength, and He will be exalted over all the evil that plagues our world. "Cease striving and know that I am God . . ." (Psalm 46:10, NASB). Daily Readings and Reflections: Monday’s Reading: Psalm 46 Make a quick list of five things you are fearing right now in this season of midlife. Then, read through Psalm 46 slowly and prayerfully. Ask God to help you see His sovereignty over your life and ask Him to help you know that He is God. Choose one phrase from this psalm to use as a prayer when your mind begins to dwell on your fears. I chose "The LORD of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our stronghold." Tuesday’s Reading: Psalm 49 Do you ever feel like the people who are doing the worst things are also having the most success? Read this Psalm for a perspective change. What is the outcome for every human being according to Psalm 49? What does the psalmist say will be different for him when he dies? Can you say the same for yourself with confidence? If not, click here to learn how you can know Jesus as your Savior and spend eternity with Him when you come to the end of your life. Wednesday’s Reading: Deuteronomy 31:1-8 What did Moses tell the people and Joshua that God would do in these verses? What were Moses's instructions to the people and Joshua? Read over your list of midlife fears and ask God to help you visualize the promises in this passage surrounding you as you walk through your fears. How would following God faithfully as Moses instructed help you to walk more confidently through your midlife years? Thursday’s Reading:   John 14:25-27 In these verses, Jesus is describing the work of the Holy Spirit in the life of everyone who believes in Jesus for salvation. What does verse 26 say the Holy Spirit will do for us? How does the work of the Holy Spirit help you experience the peace of Christ described in verse 27? Friday’s Reading: 1 John 4 Read through this chapter, then reread verse 4. How does this verse speak diectly to your midlife fears? What is the main characteristic of real faith in God according to this chapter? How can you apply the love of God to the people and situations which cause you fear in midlife? Weekend Reading: 2 Timothy 1:7-14 What is Paul telling Timothy to be bold about in this passage? (Hint: the answer is in verse 8.) What is the role of the Holy Spirit found in verses 7 and 14? How might power, love and discipline help you be a witness for Christ in midlife? Pray and ask God to empower you through the Holy Spirit to share the gospel with those God brings into your path. Want to read more Bible verses about knowing Jesus Christ as Savior? Here's a good place to start: https://www.gotquestions.org/Romans-road-salvation.html

Reflections on Psalms 44 & 73 and what they teach us about reconciling our feelings with our faith when midlife presents us with profound disappoints. Did you think midlife would be those golden years where you reaped the bountiful harvest of all your hard work and faithfulness in years past? If you are experiencing that right now, praise God! If you are not, praise God anyway, but read on. I engage with a few empty nest Facebook groups, and one post in particular pops up several times a day on all the groups. I’ll summarize: “My kids were my life and I gave them everything I could. I wasn’t perfect, but I was there for them. Now, one (or more) refuse to visit or even communicate, and I’m wondering how I’m going to survive this. I am so depressed and heartbroken, I can barely function.” Everytime I read a post like this, I feel the grief and the bewilderment of a parent who never saw this particular tragedy heading her way. She is unprepared to deal with the collapse of her family, and she has no idea how to move forward in life. Somewhere along the line, many of us (myself included) must have developed the expectation that our reward for faithfulness and good behavior in the first half of life would be delivered in the second half. Just writing that, I have to chuckle because it helps me see that I might be acting just a little entitled . . . Jesus clearly taught us that our reward wasn’t coming in this world but the next! Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven . . . (Matthew 5:11-12b, NIV, emphasis added) There’s no doubt that it would be enjoyable to rest on our laurels when we turn 50, but nowhere in scripture is that promised to us. In fact, our psalms this week indicate that the opposite is more likely to happen. In Psalm 44, the psalmist records that he knows God and knows of His awesome works and wonders, yet is still experiencing personal defeat: All day long my dishonor is before me, And my humiliation has overwhelmed me, Because of the voice of him who reproaches and reviles, Because of the presence of the enemy and the avenger. (Psalm 44:15-16, NASB) Let’s put that in the context of a struggling midlife mom: All day long, I am ashamed because my adult child has told me I was a poor parent, but I can’t go back and try again. My humiliation over all my failures as a younger person is overwhelming and I’m struggling to trust God with my past. I’m grieving because my boss is telling me I’m not doing well at my job but I really struggle with menopausal brain fog. I’m humiliated because my health is not what I want it to be and everything I see on social media suggests that it’s because of my past choices. Sadly, these scenarios are not uncommon in midlife. But they are also not unexpected by our wise and loving Heavenly Father. What is His answer to our midlife struggles? We must release our expectations and allow God to shape our future according to His will. Psalm 73 reminds us that if we don’t release our demands for reward in this life, we are living in an unenlightened state: When my heart was embittered And I was pierced within, Then I was senseless and ignorant; I was like a beast before You. (Psalm 73: 21-22, NASB) Have you ever been so frustrated that words failed you? The words translated senseless and beast in the verse refer to being like a cow, probably one bawling in frustration over not being fed yet! Certainly, that’s not a flattering description, but if we are honest we will admit that life has driven us to acting in ways that might possibly be described similarly. . . The psalmist himself is giving us quite an authentic picture of how he was dealing with disappointment! Thank God, he didn’t stay in that state: Nevertheless I am continually with You; You have taken hold of my right hand. With Your counsel You will guide me, And afterward receive me to glory. (Psalm 73:23-24, NASB) Did you notice that first line? Nevertheless I am continually with You . . . Even when our psalmist was acting like an angry beast, God never left him alone. It’s no different with us when we are God’s children. He patiently takes our hand and walks with us, giving counsel and guidance. And someday, not in midlife but in the next life, we will experience His promise of glory. Friend, if you are dealing with disappointment and frustration today, give it to God! Empty your hands of what you are trying to cling to, and let God take it from you and lead you into His ways. This week as we study Psalms 44 and 73 together, I invite you to scroll down to the bottom of the page and download the “Prayer of Release” PDF I’ve included in this blog post. Let’s pray it daily together as an act of faith in God’s goodness even when midlife is not what we hoped it would be. Let me know in the comments if you have found it helpful! Daily Readings and Reflections: Monday’s Reading: Psalm 44 Read verses 1-8. What does the psalmist remember about the past that gives him hope? What do you remember? What does the psalmist declare about who God is? Can you make the same declaration? Pray the “Prayer of Release” provided below. Tuesday’s Reading: Psalm 44 Read verses 9-26. Do you relate to the psalmist’s lament? What are you struggling with in midlife that came as an unpleasant surprise? In verses 17-18, the psalmist declares that he has been faithful to God. Can you declare this too? Are there some areas of your faith and practice that need strengthening? Pray the “Prayer of Release” provided below. Wednesday’s Reading: Psalm 73 Read verses 1-9. What did the psalmist say had almost tripped him up in his faith walk? Why is it so tempting to complain about these things? Pray the “Prayer of Release” again, today, and release the things that make you complain about others. Thursday’s Reading: Psalm 73 Read verses 10-20. In these verses, the psalmist contemplates how easy it would be to give up his faith. What changed his mind? What opportunities for worship and fellowship with God’s people are you taking advantage of in order to keep your faith strong? Pray the “Prayer of Release” today and focus on what keeps you from fellowship with God and His people. Friday’s Reading: Psalm 73 Read verses 21-28. When all other expectations have failed, what does the psalmist cling to alone? What would that look like if you lived that principle out in your own life? Pray the “Prayer of Release” while focusing on making God the focal point of your midlife journey. Weekend Reading: John 16:33 Take a few minutes to memorize this verse so that you can quote it when life goes sideways. Pray again the “Prayer of Release” while focusing on the peace that comes through knowing Jesus. Want to read more Bible verses about knowing Jesus Christ as Savior? Here's a good place to start: https://www.gotquestions.org/Romans-road-salvation.html

Reflections on Psalms 42 & 43, exploring how face time with God can give us a midlife spiritual facelift that others can see on the outside. Ah, midlife! That season where we mark the years by the appearance of new wrinkles around our eyes and lines across our foreheads. It doesn’t help that Facebook provides us with a running feed of ostensibly helpful face-firming options to purchase or DIY from household items. It’s just too easy to become worried about the worry lines! The psalmist who wrote Psalms 42 and 43—two psalms believed to have been originally one—understood that the burdens of life show up on our faces. He references long periods of crying (42:3), despair (42:5, 6, & 11; 43:2, & 5), and mourning (42:9 & 43:2), all of which inevitably weigh down our facial expressions and, truth be told, other aspects of our anatomy. Have you seen the marks of grief on a loved one’s face or even your own? If so, you understand what the Psalmist was experiencing when he considered his own appearance, given the suffering he had faced. Maybe you can relate to some of his experiences. Psalms 42 and 43 record that he felt isolated from both God and the people of God, and that he was often challenged by the people around him to prove that God even cared for him. He lived in a godless culture surrounded by injustice and lies. These aren’t individual experiences recorded from the life of one unnamed psalmist. These are the realities of modern midlife that we deal with every day. As a generation, we in midlife are becoming more isolated than the generations before us, and on top of that, our commitment to church attendance is lagging as well. In many ways, faith is an individual and personal practice, and thus an ultimately lonely practice for our generation. But just turn on the news and you will be reminded that many people also reject prayer and other personal spiritual practices as legitimate ways of making a difference in the world today. “Who needs God?” is the cry of the culture. “We can solve this on our own without divine help!” The psalmist himself experienced this public rejection of his faith and belief: As a shattering of my bones, my adversaries revile me, While they say to me all day long, “Where is your God?” Psalm 42:10, NASB Where do we go when the criticism of culture and the loneliness of isolation begin to drag us down? The psalmist concludes that only God can help: Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him For the help of His countenance. Psalm 42:5, NKJV It is interesting that the New King James Version translates that last word literally as “countenance.” Other versions use presence, salvation, or help, but the word is most simply translated as face. Imagine with me for a minute if, in our darkest hours, we could look on the face of God. Would that make a difference to us? I think it would make all the difference, and the psalmist did, too. The next two times this refrain is repeated in 42:11 and 43:5, the psalmist changes the last line a bit. He writes, Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; For I shall yet praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God. Psalm 42:11 & 43:5, NKJV The help of my countenance . . . it seems the experience of being face to face with God in Psalm 42:5 has begun to have an affect on our psalmist. Not just his heart, but also his countenance has been uplifted! No creams, needles, or surgical interventions required. What would happen if we spent so much time in the presence of God that our faces glowed? This is not without precedent: Moses’s face was so radiant after speaking to the Israelites on Mount Sinai that he had to wear a veil when speaking to the people of Israel. While we may not reflect God’s visible radiance after communing with God, there is no doubt that spending time with God has an effect on our countenance. Who has not seen the joy on the face of one who has just been freed from some burden by Christ? Or the beauty of a fellow Christian engaged in whole-hearted worship of the Lord? We may not see the changes in our own mirrors, but those around us will notice the “peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension” (Philippians 4:7) reflected on our faces as we go about our daily lives. So, while we take care of God’s gift, our physical bodies, let’s not forget to care for our souls! When we daily lift our faces to His light, His love shines through us for all to see. That is beautiful indeed. Daily Readings and Reflections: Monday’s Reading: Psalm 42 When you feel downcast or isolated, what spiritual practices help you lift your eyes to Jesus's face? How does the psalmist's example encourage you to find strength and peace in God's presence? Tuesday’s Reading: Psalm 43 In moments when you face rejection or criticism for your faith, how do you find the light and truth the psalmist speaks of in verse three? How might praising God as the psalmist resolves to do in verse four help you to have a joyful demeanor even when you are experiencing adversity? Wednesday’s Reading: Exodus 34: 27-35 What was Moses doing while spending 40 days and nights in God's presence? What does this say about the value God places on righteousness? How might righteous living make a difference in our physical appearance beyond simply caring for our bodies? Thursday’s Reading: 1 Corinthians 13 How can practicing the selfless, patient, and kind love described in these verses influence how others see Christ in you? What promise do you find in verse 12? What will your first question to Jesus be? Think carefully about this one! Friday’s Reading: 2 Corinthians 3:12-18 Considering the unveiled freedom we have in Christ, how can you reflect God's glory in a world that often rejects faith in Christ? How does the idea of being transformed into the image of Christ by the Holy Spirit encourage you to regularly seek face time with God? Weekend Reading: John 1:1-14 Read this testimony from a disciple who spent three years in the physical presence of Christ. How did John describe Jesus? Have you experienced Jesus in similar ways? Have you believed in Christ and become one of God's children? If not, why not? Want to read more Bible verses about knowing Christ as Savior? Here's a good place to start: https://www.gotquestions.org/Romans-road-salvation.html

This week we begin our exploration of the Second Book of Psalms with a guest post from my cousin, Jennifer Donaldson, founder and author at TailorJoy.com . She is going to unpack Psalm 62 for us and show us how to find soul rest in God alone. As I've moved through the seasons of life, I have come to deeply appreciate the blessings of midlife. There's wisdom that only comes with years, and two of the important lessons have been these: time can be more valuable than money and rest is good for the body and soul. I used to cut coupons, assemble IKEA furniture with pride, hunt for deals, and cook from scratch. These days, I’ll happily pay for pre-cut carrot chips or a carwash. Not because I can’t, but because I now understand the value of conserving energy for what matters most: peace, people, purpose, and ultimately, God. In the same way we learn not to spend ourselves on every little task, we also learn to stop spending our emotional and spiritual energy on things that won't last, like people-pleasing, control, or striving to prove ourselves. Psalm 62 brings these lessons into focus with clarity and grace.  Rest in God Alone David, possibly in the middle of a major crisis or thinking of a recent one, isn’t scrambling to fix things. He’s not plotting his escape or bargaining his way out. Instead, he waits in silence  for God. He declares: My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him. Psalm 62:1 NIV There’s something deeply comforting about that word rest . Especially for those of us who live in the tension of busy schedules, aging parents, grown kids, and responsibilities that never quite seem to end. David reminds us that we don't need to hustle for peace. We need to trust  for it. (The version quoted here is the 1984 NIV that I memorized as a teen and that I quote to myself in the dark of night when I can't sleep.) He says it again and again: He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken. Psalm 62: 2 He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. Psalm 62:6-7 The world tells us to depend on status, wealth, performance, or power. But David warns us not to trust in those things. Not even the wealth we worked hard to build.  Do not trust in extortion or take pride in stolen good; though your riches increase, do not set your heart on them. Psalm 62:10 There’s so much freedom in that. We can enjoy the fruits of our labor, but we don’t need to lean  on them. When everything feels unsteady, we don’t have to panic. We’re not the ones holding the world together. This is the wisdom that I grew to appreciate with age. God's got this! I can find rest and peace in this. One thing God has spoken, two things have I heard; that you, O God, are strong, and that you, O Lord, are loving. Surely you will reward each person according to what he has done. Psalm 62:11-12 Let that settle in your spirit. Power belongs to God. And so does steadfast love. He is not only able, He is kind. He is a loving Father. A Soul Refuge In this season of life, I’ve found comfort in letting God deal with things and people that once consumed my mind. The two-faced friend? The injustice I can’t fix? The worries that keep me up? I remind myself: God is my refuge , and He can handle what I can’t.  I don’t need to micromanage the world or defend myself against every threat. Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge. Selah. Psalm 62:8 That verse also makes me think of how we welcome our grown kids home. “Tell me everything,” we say. We want to be a safe place for them to talk, to cry, to breathe, to come home to. God wants that for us, too. He doesn’t ask us to polish our prayers. He invites us to pour  them out. And when we do? We find that we are not alone. We are not without hope. God is not a distant museum relic. He is a mighty fortress. He is our refuge. This is a favorite psalm I return to time and time again, especially verses 5-8. As David did, I repeat to myself the truths about God. When life feels unsteady, He is steadfast. When people change, fail, or fade, He remains.  He is still when everything else is moving. He is safe when the world is uncertain. God can handle anything that is on our hearts and restless minds. Nothing is too big for him.  Martin Luther wrote of this steadfast God in his hymn of comfort, A Mighty Fortress Is Our God . The first verse begins “A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing; our helper he, amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing.” So tonight, as you prepare to rest, let this be your final thought: God is with us.  He is our rock. Our refuge. Our fortress. Our rest. Our salvation. He is writing a story in your midlife that you may not see right now. Sometimes we only see the backside of the tapestry with all the tangled stitches, not the front. But He is worthy of your trust. Let your soul find rest in Him alone. Let that be what others see in you. Daily Readings: Monday’s Reading: Psalm 62 How do you practically “wait in silence” for God in your daily life? According to Psalm 62, what are the benefits of waiting on God? Tuesday’s Reading: Psalm 46 A mighty fortress is your God. How does your theology of God affect your perspective on waiting on Him or trusting in Him alone? How is God a refuge in your present challenges? Wednesday’s Reading: Romans 10:13 ,  Matthew 11:28 , and Philippians 4:6-7 Why are the acts of pouring your hearts out to God in confession and prayer important in your relationship with God? What are the benefits?   Thursday’s Reading: Psalm 37 Are you a good or poor example of waiting patiently on God? Why does waiting on God feel so difficult or purposeless? How can you combat those ideas with truth from God’s Word? Friday’s Reading: Proverbs 3:5-7 and Proverbs 11:28 How can you guard your heart against placing trust in wealth or power? In what ways can you encourage others to trust in God like David does in Psalm 62? Weekend Reading: Go back and read Psalm 62 again. “Find rest, oh my soul, in God alone.” Do you need to make any changes to find rest during this midlife season? Want to read more Bible verses about salvation? Here's a good place to start: https://www.gotquestions.org/Romans-road-salvation.html

In the last 26 installments of our studies in the Psalms, we have journeyed together through Book One of the Psalms (made up of Psalms 1-41) and we are now ready to embark on Book Two of Psalms. According to scholars, Book Two, containing Psalms 42 through 72, parallels the book of Exodus and the journey of the people of Israel from bondage in Egypt to the establishment of the tabernacle. The collection of Psalms in Book Two expands poetically and metaphorically on the themes found in Exodus. The psalmists speak eloquently of our hope in hardship and persecution, the promise of abundance to be found by following God, the repentance and redemption of those held captive by sin, and the assurance of God's coming blessing for His people. What will you find in Book Two? I'll give you just a few examples to whet your appetite! Like the book of Exodus, Book Two of Psalms opens with a plea for the attention and presence of God: As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God? My tears have been my food day and night, while people say to me all day long, “Where is your God?” Psalm 42:1-3, NIV We can imagine the people of Isarael crying out from their captivity in Egypt while their captors taunt them by asking "Where is your God?" God responds by sending Moses to lead them out of captivity and into the presence of their Lord. In Psalm 50, God Himself appears as the redeemer of His people and speaks to those who have cried out to Him: The Mighty One, God, the Lord, speaks and summons the earth from the rising of the sun to where it sets. From Zion, perfect in beauty, God shines forth. Our God comes and will not be silent; a fire devours before him, and around him a tempest rages. Psalm 50:1-3 When God's people cried out in Egypt, God heard and answered, and in no uncertain terms. He came to their rescue, clothed in light and fire. This reminds us of the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night which lead the people of Israel through the Red Sea and up to Mount Sinai where God would provide them with the law. Finally, in Psalm 72, we see the psalmist celebrating the fulfillment of the promise found in Exodus 19: " Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation"  (Exodus 19:5-6a, NIV) . May his name endure forever; may it continue as long as the sun. Then all nations will be blessed through him, and they will call him blessed. Praise be to the Lord God, the God of Israel, who alone does marvelous deeds. Praise be to his glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with his glory. Psalm 72:17-19, NIV As New Testament Christians, we can also see that these verses look forward to when Christ returns to rule and reign on the earth, thus establishing the kingdom forever for all the people of God to enjoy. Book Two of Psalms and the Midlife Journey As we follow along on this Exodus journey through Psalms 42-72 in the coming weeks, we need to pay close attention to the problems described in the psalms and the different methods that people turn to in hopes of solving those problems. After all, if there is one thing that characterizes midlife, it is the wide variety of challenges that confront us. One midlife researcher described midlife as " Searching for balance in the midst of multiple co-occurring stressors while coping with losses and transitions, for some in a context of limited resources . . ." You could use this same description for the experience of the Israelites in slavery Egypt. Initially, they cried out to God for help. But as the story unfolds in the book of Exodus--and as it is reflected in the second book of Psalms--they also tended to look for hope in things that could not help or satisfy. Just read Exodus 32 and the story of the golden calf to see how quickly we humans can go astray. We can quickly go from a soul thirst for the Living God to a search for solutions in our own meager store of resources. Our study of Book Two of Psalms will help us to focus our hearts and hopes on God and God alone so that when those stressors come, we can say with the psalmist, Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God. Psalm 42:5, NIV Daily Readings: This week, I invite you to read through the book of Exodus to remind yourself of the story and to prepare your heart to see the parallels between the journey of God's people from Egypt to the Jordan River and your own journey through midlife. As you read, consider these questions in light of your midlife journey: Is there anything holding me captive right now? What is keeping me from living fully in God's presence and promise of hope in times of need? What am I putting my hope in when challenges come into my life? Do I need to reconsider what I depend on to solve day-to-day problems or the larger difficulites in life? How is God redeeming my midlife experiences for His glory and my benefit? How do I experience His daily presence in my life? Mount Sinai Sources: Thomas, A. J., Mitchell, E. S., & Woods, N. F. (2018). The challenges of midlife women: Themes from the Seattle midlife women's health study. Women's Midlife Health , 4 (8). DOI: 10.1186/s40695-018-0039-9

How Psalm 40 can help us rebuild after the inevitable crises we face in midlife "I survived the crisis, now what?" In the last post we talked about what to do in the immediate hours and days after a significant crisis confronts us in midlife. A quick, God-focused response to any crisis is the key to preventing longterm despair and bitterness. But once we've struggled through the initial shock and have fixed our eyes firmly on our Savior for guidance, we soon find ourselves wondering, "How do I recover from this?" Great question! God wants to bring us through the valley of shadow and into rejoicing on the far side of each crisis we face, and Psalm 40 gives us some guidelines for getting there. I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in him. Psalm 40:1-3, NIV First, We Rest The immediate crisis is over, but it's not time to spring into action. Instead, we choose to rest. David tells us in verse one that he "waited patiently for the Lord." The Hebrew word for waited patiently is not what we might do in a dentist's office. This is not waiting with dread, hoping that the experience will be over quickly with no complications and especially no pain! Waiting in the biblical sense means resting in God's promise to care for His people. God may not answer immediately, but He will answer. When we rest in God's care for us and His unseen work on our behalf, we are putting our faith into action even though we aren't taking action on our own. I will be the first to admit that this is a hard step to take. Doing nothing but rest in God's promises? How will that solve the probem? But this simple act of faith in God rather than ourselves is an essential discipline for responding to crises. Why? It places our focus on our Savior rather than ourselves. If we truly want the God of the universe to intervene on our behalf, we should know better than to delay that process by relying on ourselves. Instead, we reserve our strength while we watch expectantly for God to move. Because He will! In His Time, We Rebuild Notice the progression in verse two: "He lifted me out . . . He set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand." It's all about God's timing. He decides when to lift us out and He chooses the firm place where we make a new start. He establishes a foundation for us there that we can rebuild upon. What is that foundation? It is simply the faithfulness of God. We don't rebuild on the restoration of our losses or the rectifying of our circumstances. We rebuild on the covenantal care of a Holy God for His people. David reminds us of this in verse four: Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods. Psalm 40:4, NIV Our bedrock foundation in life is the Lord. Rebuilding, then, means we focus on the basic spiritual disciplines of living in relationship with God--Bible reading, prayer, worship, fellowship. This is what builds our lives back after a crisis in midlife, and what gives us overflowing hope and joy as we look to the future. Finally, We Rejoice What's the final step in the journey through a "midlife crisis"? God gives us a fresh perspective. In verse 3, David testifies that God has given him a new song of praise. The idea here is not that God has rolled back time so David can go back to what was "normal" before the crisis. No, God has brought him through the crisis into a new and fresh appreciation for God's goodness, faithfulness and love. This new song could only be born from the journey through crisis. Walking through crisis with God leaves us changed, stronger, more convinced than ever of the worthiness of our God. David expresses it like this: I have proclaimed good news of righteousness in the great congregation; Behold, I will not restrain my lips, LORD, You know. I have not hidden Your righteousness within my heart; I have spoken of Your faithfulness and Your salvation; I have not concealed Your mercy and Your truth from the great congregation. Psalm 40:9-10, NASB The new song David has received from God has made him a more effective witness to God's salvation. And it should do the same for us as well. Struggles give us proof of God's love, and we need to use them to share the good news about Jesus to those who don't know Him yet. A politician once advised "Never waste a crisis!" When we walk faithfully through the crises of midlife and share our stories of God's faithfulness on the other side, we will understand better that God wants to use the hard things in our lives to draw others into relationship with Him. Crises are never wasted if we keep our eyes on Jesus. The Everyday Midlife Crisis In the last post , we talked through how to use Psalm 38 in a simple crisis: forgetting a coffee date with a friend. Let's finish the story by applying Psalm 40. We left off with a phone call of apology to the hypothetical friend I left waiting at the coffee shop. What should I do after offering my sincere confession? If you said nothing , you are right! That's because the next step is resting in the Lord. My friend may accept my apology and restore the relationship, and she may not. But that is between her and God--it's not up to me. So I pray and I wait expectantly for God to move. Let's say she forgives me. That's a great outcome because we can easily rebuild our friendship on the foundation of mercy, just as God has shown each of us mercy individually. We might even rejoice together that we made it through that crisis by God's grace. We will probably even laugh about it in the future! But let's say she doesn't forgive. . . what do I do then? Again, nothing. I continue to wait on God to move in His time. Even if the relationship is irrevocably damaged, though, I can still rebuild on God's mercy to me, and a commitment to mirror His grace by offering forgiveness to others when they offend me. I might also ask God to help me address the issues that caused me to forget the coffee date in the first place. Eventually, joy will replace my sorrow over the loss of my friend. It might look like a simple acknowledgment of God's undeserved forgiveness of my own failings. And that's a great reason to rejoice! Midlife will bring us crises, like any stage of life does. But God is faithful to guide us through to the other side when we keep our eyes fixed on Him and wait for Him to move. Are you encouraged by this exploration of what Psalms 38 and 40 teach us about handling the inevitable challenges of midlife? If so, let me know in the comments and share your own story of rejoicing in how God brought you through! Readings and Reflection Questions Monday's reading: Psalm 40 Finish reading Psalm 40 today, How does trusting in the Lord, as emphasized in Psalm 40:4, help you rest in God’s timing rather than relying on human solutions when you are recovering from a crisis? In what ways can proclaiming God’s saving acts by sharing your story of God's faithfulness help you rebuild your life? Tuesday's reading: Lamentations 3:19-26 What practical steps can you take to “wait quietly” for God’s salvation when you’re tempted to act impulsively post-crisis? How can you remind yourself daily of God’s “new every morning” compassion when you are in the process of rebuilding your life post crisis? Wednesday's reading: 1 Peter 5:6-11 What anxieties do you need to cast on God as you rebuild your life on His grace, and how can you practically do this? How does knowing other believers face similar struggles encourage you to stand firm in faith and rejoice in God’s restoration? Thursday's reading:   Romans 15:5-13 How does the call to have the same attitude as Christ and accept one another encourage you as you rebuild from a crisis? How might you encourage others who are in their own time of rebuilding? How can trusting in the God of hope, as Paul concludes, fill you with joy, peace and hope? Friday's reading: Psalm 41:1-4 How does showing regard for the weak help you in your own rebuilding process? Why do you think God wants us to focus on the suffering of others even when we are suffering ourselves? Weekend reading:   Psalm 41:5-13 How does David’s trust in God’s mercy amidst opposition encourage you to rest in God’s care when facing post-crisis challenges or betrayal? What does it mean to be “set in God’s presence forever” as you rebuild your life on His faithfulness after a crisis? How can you cultivate a heart of praise, like David’s, and rejoice in God’s deliverance despite ongoing adversity?

How Psalm 38 can help us prepare for the inevitable crises we face in midlife We've all heard of it, and we've probably all seen it: a midlife crisis strikes. Erratic behavior ensues: a flashy sports car appears in the driveway, fitness becomes an unhealthy obsession, the younger generation's fashion shows up on an aging body. But what if I told you the "midlife crisis" is a myth? In fact, these crises are the predictable outcomes of life choices made across the years, not a lightning strike of instability that only impacts people over 40. "It must be a midlife crisis" is more of an excuse than a diagnosis. What is true, however, is that midlife does offer us plenty of opportunities to experience crisis because of the unique set of challenges that come with that life stage: the emptying nest, changing relationships with adult children, the need to revive intimacy within marriage, the physical challenges of aging, and care for aging parents, just to name a few. Would it help to know in advance what a crisis feels like and how to make it through? God must think so because in Psalms 38, 39, and 40 He guided David to describe his own crisis experience and to create a roadmap for walking through it into joy on the other side. This week, we will look at the beginning stages of a crisis outlined in Psalm 38. Fair warning: none of it sounds fun. But if we know and can recognize the waypoints through a crisis beforehand, we can more clearly see God's hand guiding us through when we do go through one. And if you are like me, small crises arise almost daily. I'm using these principles from Psalm 38 to mindfully and biblically handle even the small stuff. It helps me keep my eyes on Christ rather than my circumstances. Let's dig in! The Crash: Psalm 38:1-8 I am feeble and utterly crushed; I groan in anguish of heart. Psalm 38:8, NIV We've all been there. The phone rings, bad news is received, our minds go numb and our bodies crumple under the weight of tragedy. Even small problems--like narrowly avoiding a fender bender--trigger small reactions. Tragic news triggers more significant reactions, and as David records in these first eight verses, realization of our own guilt triggers the same "fight or flight" response as bad news. How does David cope? He cries out to God: not in a reasonable, intellectual discourse, but in a visceral plea for mercy that speaks of shock and grief: Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger or discipline me in your wrath. Psalm 38:1, NIV Have you been there? "Why are you mad at me, God? Why have you allowed this to happen?" Here's the good news, though. When our first thought is to cry out to God, we have begun our journey through the crisis. Even if our prayers make no sense, we need to keep praying. And this is exactly what David does. The Confusion: Psalm 38:9-14 I have become like one who does not hear, whose mouth can offer no reply. Psalm 38:14, NIV Have you noticed that once we pick ourselves up (hopefully figuratively, but sometimes literally) off the floor, that our brains get busy trying to answer the big question: why? We turn the problem over and over in our minds looking for the cause and the solution, looking for our part in it, looking for a way out. But nothing makes sense. As David says in verse 14, our ears can't register explanations from others, and we have no explanation to offer them, either. All is confusion. Sometimes, even our closest friends and family can't offer solace, as David notes in verse 11: My friends and companions avoid me because of my wounds; my neighbors stay far away. Psalm 38:11, NIV But David does not stop praying, even in his confusion. He shows us how to open our hearts in honesty to God as we admit our own inability to solve or escape the crisis: All my longings lie open before you, Lord; my sighing is not hidden from you. Psalm 38:9, NIV God sees us, God knows us, and God loves us. Even though David is dealing with the fallout from his own sin in Psalm 38, he has confidence in the love of God. David prays even when all he can verbalize is a groan. But God is already answering. The Commitment: Psalm 38:15-22 Lord, I wait for you; you will answer, Lord my God. Psalm 38:15, NIV Here's the pivot point in David's crisis. He has survived the crash, he has realized he can't clear the confusion on his own, so he settles his soul in the safety of God's hands. The New American Standard version translates the first verse this way: "For I hop e in You, O Lord. . ." The Hebrew word for wait or hope in this verse means to be patient and wait expectantly. David is going to trust God to give him clarity and direction at the right time. This commitment doesn't mean that David is no longer suffering. He clearly states that he is still experiencing grief, anxiety, and opposition. It also doesn't mean that David doesn't take responsibility for any part he played in the crisis. Part of his commitment to wait for God includes making his heart right before the Lord: I confess my iniquity; I am troubled by my sin. Psalm 38:18, NIV Along with confession, David continues to pour out his heart to God. But the prayer is now changed from the beginning prayer in the first verse. Instead of praying for deliverance from God's judgement, David now prays for God's continued divine presence: Lord, do not forsake me; do not be far from me, my God. Come quickly to help me, my Lord and my Savior. Psalm 38:21-22, NIV God has faithfully shepherded David through the shock of the crash and the mind-numbing confusion of the crisis. David's eyes are firmly fixed on his Savior and now God's work can take center stage. Preparing for the Everyday Midlife Crisis Let's quickly apply Psalm 38 to an everyday crisis to see if it works in real life for real midlife women. Let's say I forget to write down a coffee date on my calendar and on the appointed day I get a text from my friend saying, "Is everything OK? I'm here at the cafe, but I'm worried about you!" I immediately panic as my body floods with stress hormones. I've stood up my good friend, and I'm still in my pajamas! But I remember Psalm 38, and I tell myself, this feeling is normal and it will go away. God is teaching me something here, but I need to wait for the overwhelm to subside before I can move on. I reach out to God and stay anchored while I wait. Next up is the confusion stage. Because of David's words, I know my mind will start to generate a solution, and I know not to trust it! It might suggest that she got the date wrong, or that I should make up an excuse, or that I can somehow get dressed and arrive in time if I drive over the speed limit! My mind might also catastrophize the situation and tell me that I have lost the friendship forever. But I know to wait this out with a heart open to God even if I don't have any sensible words to say to Him. The Holy Spirit will guide me as I wait for the confusion to clear, so I make a commitment to let Him bring clarity to my mind. Once I make the commitment to seek God for answers, I am at last capable of making good decisions. In this case, confession to both God and my friend are the next right step. Committing to seeking God throughout the crisis means I can't take shortcuts or hide my own failings, so I make a phone call and sincerely ask for forgiveness, trusting the Holy Spirit to guide both my heart and hers. What happens next? Well, the rest of the crisis journey is found in Psalm 40 which we will tackle next week. But let me encourage you, friend: As small crises appear this week, keep Psalm 38 in mind and hold fast to God through the crash and confusion. Commit your way to Him, and wait for Him to guide. Watch for Him to move, and then share what you learn with your other midlife friends. You can even leave me a comment below and let me know how Psalm 38 has guided you through a "midlife crisis." Have a great week! Readings and Reflection Questions Monday's reading: Psalm 38 It's your turn! Read through Psalm 38, then jounal about a crisis situation you dealt with recently. Do you see the three stages in your experience? How did your mind try to solve the problem? What direction did you receive from praying? Did you commit yourself to waiting for God and following His lead? Tuesday's reading: Psalm 39 Read through Psalm 39 and reflect on David's experiences. What is the longing of his heart as he walks through his crisis? Why do you think David guards his mouth so carefully during a crisis? Wednesday's reading: 2 Chronicles 20:1-12 How did King Jehosophat experience and live out the princples in Psalm 38? What did he do in verse three? What actions might you take to seek God in a crisis situation? Thursday's reading:   Luke 8:22-25 What was the crisis faced by the disciples? Why do you think Jesus rebuked them for their lack of faith? Hint: the answer is in verse 24. If the disciples had been filled with faith, what might they have said to Jesus instead? Friday's reading: I Peter 5:6-9 What do these verses teach you about crises and suffering? Make a list of the actions Peter tells us to take when life gets hard. Which one could you work on this week? Weekend reading:   Psalm 119:41-48 This section of Psalm 119 talks about the hope we have in God and how that is expressed in His Word. How might you use God's Word in a time of crisis to keep you focused on Christ?

A meditation on Psalm 36 and how God's lovingkindness is our safe haven in midlife Have you ever felt surrounded? Thankfully, few of us have been physically surrounded by enemies on all sides with no chance of escape. But what if I change the question a bit, and ask if you have ever felt spiritually surrounded, backed into a corner, or under attack? I think all of us can relate to that feeling. Whether it is because of conflict within the family of God or hostility from those who don't share our faith, we have all probably felt some form of spiritual oppression. We do our best to create little havens of peace, but sin and struggles press in and dampen our joy. A Safe Haven for Our Souls Psalm 36 reminds us that God has provided a safe haven for his people right here on earth, right in the middle of the struggle. That haven is His lovingkindness. However, that theme isn't readily visible with a quick reading of Psalm 36. In fact, the psalm begins and ends with a discussion of sin that feels discouraging and hopeless: Transgression speaks to the ungodly within his heart: There is no fear of God before his eyes. and There the doers of iniquity have fallen; They have been thrust down and cannot rise. Psalm 36: 1 & 12, NASB When I read those begining and ending verses, my heart sank. "Evil is inescapable; it surrounds me ," I thought to myself. Because I had missed the heart of the psalm! According to author and theologian W. Robert Godfrey , English readers focus on the beginning of a poem to get the context and on the end of a poem to learn the main point. But the poetic form used by the Hebrew writers of the Psalms often puts the main message right in the middle of the poem. In the case of Psalm 36, that means that what we are supposed to focus on and cling to is verses 3-9. Those verses remind of such truths as Your kindness, O LORD, extends to the heavens, Your faithfulness reaches to the skies. and For with You is the fountain of life; In Your light we see light. Psalm 36: 3 & 9, NASB The middle line of Psalm 36 culminates in this powerful statement of praise: "How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God!" (vs. 7, NASB) This is the central, key point of Psalm 36, sandwiched between the descriptions of despair: The most precious treasure on earth is the merciful, grace-filled love of God toward each one of us. A Midlife Haven in the Middle of My Struggles What if, my friend, the structure of Psalm 36 was a clue for how we should live as the sandwich generation? Here we are in midlife, surrounded by all the changes and challenges that come with this life stage, and it is easy to feel pressured from all sides. Yet, right there in the middle of all the stress, we have access to the lovingkindness of God as He invites us to take refuge in His light and enjoy the abundance He provides. Does that make a difference in how we view our circumstances here in middle age? It does for me--it gives me hope. This principle that the poetic structure of Psalm 36 is teaching us echoes the theme of a very familiar psalm: Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. Psalm 23:4-5a, NASB What Psalm 36 communicates through it's structure, Psalm 23 speaks to directly: No shadow of evil and death is a match for the presence of God in our lives. He loves us so much that He provides a table of refreshment for us in the middle of our struggles. We are seated at that table whenever we spend time in God's Word or in conversation with Him and with others who love Him. So here's the question for us as we meditate on Psalm 36 this week: Where am I living? Am I living in the darkness and depression surrounding the promises in Psalm 36? Or am I living in the light of God's lovingkindness? Let's live in the Light, friends! Readings and Reflection Questions Monday's reading: Psalm 36 Read through this psalm and make a note of the provisions God has made for us through His lovingkindness. How might you ask God to specifically strengthen you through one of His promised provisions? Tuesday's reading: I John 1:5-9 John is very realistic in this passage. He knows that we all struggle with sin, but that sin keeps us from fellowship with God even when we are Christians. What is the solution to the problem of sin in this passage? What are the benefits of walking in the Light? Wednesday's reading: Isaiah 43:1-7 List the promises God makes to His people in this passage. Which speak encouragement to your midlife experience? Thursday's reading:   John 8:1-12 This familiar story of the woman who was accused before Jesus ends with Jesus describing Himself as "the Light of the World." What is Jesus's promise concerning those who follow Him? How is Jesus lighting your way through midlife? Friday's reading: Colossians 1:13-23 In this description of the creative and redemptive power of Christ, what evidence do you find that He is able to defeat the power of sin and darkness in your life? Weekend reading:   Psalm 119:33-40 This psalm describes the power and holiness of God. What responses should people have to God's holy and awesome presence according to this psalm? Are you dwelling in His presence today? Source: Godfrey, W. Robert. (2017). Learning to Love the Psalms . Ligonier Ministries. Available at https://store.ligonier.org/learning-to-love-the-psalms-hardcover

Psalm 32 encourages us that fruitfulness is faithfulness! My daughter likes to teach me new words so I can sound hip. Even more importantly, she lets me know when meanings change so that I don’t accidentally say something really weird to someone younger than myself—very helpful! One of the more interesting terms she taught me a couple years ago was quiet quitting . Quiet quitting is the practice of only giving the bare minimum at work—no volunteering for overtime, no extra efforts, no feedback on how to improve efficiency. A quiet quitter just shows up on time, leaves on time, does the basics, and above all, does not give one ounce of effort that is not required of them. My daughter said that nearly a whole generation of workers was practicing this work ethic because of their disillusionment with their salary package and the demands placed on them by management. Statistically, about 59% of workers around the world classify themselves as quiet quitters, which is a surprising amount! The prevalence of this ethic in the workplace makes me wonder . . . are Christians quiet quitting, too? And is this a problem for those of us in midlife? There are a some interesting facts on this topic: church attendance continues to fall for Generation X, and church volunteerism is also at a low for us. In addition, we may be experiencing the same struggles that quiet quitting workers blame on their decision to check out: we are burnt out, under-appreciated, unrecognized for our contributions, and our expectations are going unfulfilled. Parallels aside, David provides us with a clear list of symptoms in Psalm 32 that indicate a loss of fervor in our Christian walk. Here’s a quick description of each one: Spiritual negligence (verse 2): Not fully living out the lifestyle of a dedicated Christian The word for deceit at the end of the verse means not giving our best efforts, not being honest about our efforts, and not giving due diligence. Physical exhaustion (verses 3 and 4): Lack of energy for doing what God has called us to do David gives a clear description of the physical symptoms of an apathetic spiritual life that lead to ineffectiveness in our service to God and others. Resisting God’s leading (verse 9): Not wanting to fulfill the purpose God has for us right now and looking for a way out David counsels the reader not to be like a donkey or horse that must be forced to go where the rider wants to go. God wants our willing obedience, not our foot-dragging reluctance! Complaints about life (verse 10): A life lived without a passion for God will be filled with disappointments David reminds us that those who are in conflict with God will amass a long list of difficulties, while the faithful will focus on God’s love and provision. As I read through Psalm 32 and evaluated my own spiritual symptoms, I could identify areas of my spiritual walk where I am doing just enough to get by in midlife. It’s so tempting to rest on the spiritual development we experienced in years past and think we can just coast along in our later years! But the reality for me was that I was feeling some of the quiet quitting symptoms. I was in need of a cure! Of course, David offers the antidote to quiet quitting on our faith journey in midlife: Then I acknowledged my sin to You and did not hide my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,” and You forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah Therefore let all the godly pray to You while You may be found. Psalm 32:5-6a (NASB) Our God doesn’t hold us at arms length. Even when we quiet quit our faith walk for a time, confession brings us right back into fellowship with God. All it takes is a prayer and a willingness to embrace the practices and purposes God has for us at midlife. God restores our joy and we learn the truth of this verse: . . . loving devotion surrounds him who trusts in the LORD. Be glad in the LORD and rejoice, O righteous ones; shout for joy, all you upright in heart. Psalm 32:10b-11 (NASB) My prayer for you this week is that you would be willing to take stock of your walk with God and honestly evaluate it for signs of quiet quitting. God wants more for us at midlife—His plans for us don’t grow old and we don’t age out of fruitful service for Him! But we won’t experience His best unless we are walking faithfully and giving our best efforts to continue to grow and develop in our Christian lives. I don’t know about you, but I want God’s best. I’m not ready to quit, yet! Readings and Reflection Questions Monday's reading:  Psalm 32 Read through the psalm and note the symptoms of being out of fellowship with God. Do any of the symptoms occur in your own life? If so, consider writing or saying a prayer of confession and making things right between you and God. If all is well with your spiritual walk, take a moment to list out the benefits of walking closely with God and thank Him for those blessings. Tuesday's reading: Psalm 119:17-24 The psalmist begins this section of Psalm 119 with a plea for personal revival. According to verses 17-24, what are some keys to personally experiencing spiritual revival? How important is God’s Word to our spiritual health according to the psalmist? In verse 30 the psalmist declares that he has “chosen the faithful way.” What practices does he list in verses 30-32 that prove his declaration? Wednesday's reading: Psalm 119:25-32 In this portion of Psalm 119, the psalmist makes eight requests of God. List out these requests. Which ones echo the desires of your heart? Pray and ask God to work His soul-reviving power in your life. Thursday's reading:    Galatians 6:4-10 This passage describes the principle of sowing and reaping. What is the first thing Paul encourages us to do in verse 4? Why do you think he wants each of us to examine our own work and not the work of others? Take a moment to examine your own life in light of verses 7 and 8. What are you sowing and what are you reaping? How are you sowing or how might you sow good things as Paul tells us to in verses 9 and 10? Friday's reading:   Hebrews 12:1-3 What are some of the encumbrances that keep us from faithfully following God in midlife? What are some of the sins we might be tempted by in this season? What is our motivation for setting aside those encumbrances and temptations? How does Jesus’s life and example help us to keep from growing tired and faint of heart? Weekend reading:   Philippians 3:7-16 According to Paul, what is the most important thing in life? How does Paul view every other aspect of life in comparison to this one great thing? Paul was probably around 60 years old when he wrote these verses. According to verses 12-14, what kept him motivated to keep serving God in spite of his circumstances? What is your motivation to keep on serving God in midlife?

Comfort for weary souls from Psalm 32 My soul is tired, beset on every side with demands, distractions, and difficulties. David, the psalmist and shepherd-king of Israel, would understand my struggle. Surrounded by enemies, slandered and mocked, David penned these words: You have seen it, LORD, do not keep silent; Lord, do not be far from me. Stir Yourself, and awake to my right And to my cause, my God and my Lord. Psalm 35:22-23, NASB "Lord, do not keep silent," David says. More than anything in times of stress and strain, our souls need to hear from God. Not intellectually in the form of a great philosophical truth, not emotionally in a song that brightens our feelings for a moment, and not through a unique experience that helps us forget our troubles for a day. We don't need anything so surface as that. No, we need to hear God's voice speaking to our souls. Though our souls are almost deafened by the noise of everyday living, they continuously plead, Say to my soul, “I am your salvation.” Psalm 35:4b, NASB I have begun to ask myself: What voices are speaking to my soul right now? Voices of truth or deception; hope or anxiety; faith or doubt? David heard them all speak in his darkest times: But at my stumbling they rejoiced and gathered themselves together; The smiters whom I did not know gathered together against me, They slandered me without ceasing. Like godless jesters at a feast . . . Psalm 35:15-16a, NASB Have you been there? To the place where the voices that speak to your soul discourage and demean? If so, pray with David and with me, too, " Speak to my soul in this moment, O Lord, and remind me that You and only You are my salvation ." This week as we study David's words in Psalm 35, pay attention to the voices that are speaking to your soul. We have a choice, friend. We do not have to listen to the voices that wound and encumber. We can choose to tune our ears to the voice of the Lord of our salvation who teaches our souls to rejoice. Readings and Reflection Questions Monday's reading: Psalm 35 Read through this psalm, noting David's description of being surrounded by enemies. What is assailing your soul in this season of midlife? How can you prepare yourself to hear God speak to your soul more clearly? Tuesday's reading: Psalm 42 Carefully read through Psalm 42 and note the actions David takes to find healing for his wounded soul. List them and choose three to practice this week. Wednesday's reading: Psalm 119:81-88 In this portion of Psalm 119, the psalmist pleas with God for soul healing. According to these verses, what part does scripture play in protecting and restoring wounded souls? How has scripture protected and restored your soul in times of trouble? Thursday's reading:   John 10:1-15 What distinguishes Jesus in His role as the Good Shepherd from others who try to speak to our souls? If you have you been listening to voices of theives and robbers, what has been the impact of their words? In what ways have you personally heard the voice of the Shepherd of your soul? Friday's reading:  Matthew 11:28-30 What does Jesus promise to those who come to Him? How does Jesus describe Himself and His desires for us? How might following Jesus provide rest for our souls? Weekend reading:   Psalm 63 This psalm describes the gratitude that comes from a soul that knows and follows God. What is the psalmist grateful for? What are you grateful for?

A Meditation on Psalm 65 and God's Overwhelming Goodness Author's Note: Over the past several posts, we have been covering some difficult topics and reading through some psalms that discuss struggles, sin, and judgment. My spirit needed some joy! So this week, we are skipping ahead to Psalm 65 to remind ourselves of God's faithful presence, power, and provision in our lives. I was anticipating that this psalm would have me singing a loud song of praise! But as you will see, that wasn't the case... If you have ever climbed a steep trail to a mountaintop vista or hiked deep into the woods in search of a hidden waterfall, then you know the feeling of awe at the first sighting of your objective. There is a sudden hush of reverence that descends as you take in the beauty of God's creation. No words are needed because no words are adequate: silence is the only appropriate response. The Silent Praise of David King David understood this quiet reverence. He began the first verse of Psalm 65 with these words: "There will be silence before You, and praise in Zion..." (NASB). In the original Hebrew, these words literally say, "To You, praise is silence" (Wiersbe, 2009). Think about that for just a moment... To You, praise is silence In our contemporary culture, we often equate praise with a group of believers lifting their voices together in song. The experience of silence in daily life is rare. The idea of silent praise is surprising. How can we praise without using our voices and words? Silent praise seems like a contradiction in terms. However, this concept appears in other places in scripture. In Exodus 14, the Israelites had just escaped Egypt. God directed them to camp where they could easily be pinned against the Red Sea by Pharaoh's pursuing army. Predictably, the people began to complain to Moses, saying, “Did you bring us out here just to be killed? You should have left us as slaves in Egypt so at least we would live!” But Moses replied, Do not fear! Stand by and see the salvation of the LORD, which He will perform for you today; for the Egyptians whom you have seen today, you will never see them again, ever. The LORD will fight for you while you keep silent.  (Exodus 14:13-14, NASB) Relating to the Israelites Friend, I can relate to the Israelite people's concerns. I find myself in midlife, with more years behind me than ahead. Life can still seem like an impossible riddle. I expected to have it all figured out by now and gracefully sail into my elder years, watching my grandkids grow up. But that's not where I'm at. Instead, God still asks me to make hard decisions, complete toilsome tasks, and serve in unwelcoming environments. Much like the Israelites with their backs against the impassable sea, I often feel squeezed between a rock and a hard place. There is no clear path to the ease I expected to find at this stage of life. This is exactly where Exodus 14:14 comes in: "The LORD will fight for you while you keep silent." When my prayers turn to whining, and my concerns start sounding like complaints, the best way for me to praise God is to stop talking and wait for Him to fight for me. What does that look like? For me, it means doing the next right thing on my list and letting God worry about the outcome. It may mean completing a mundane task I have been putting off. This is an act of obedience to Him. It could involve stepping into an uncomfortable situation, even if I fear rejection. Ultimately, it means sitting silently in awe of who He is without asking for anything. Because in God, I already have all I need. God Promises Victory Of course, we know how the account in Exodus ends. Moses leads God's people through the Red Sea on dry ground, while Pharaoh's army is destroyed. God releases the restrained waters upon them. Why should I expect anything short of victory if I let God fight for me? The expectation that God will carry us through all dangers, toils, and snares is the essence of what David conveys in Psalm 65. After beginning with a call for silent praise, he lists the attributes of God's faithfulness. He starts with the blessing of His presence, moves on to a description of His power, and finishes with a beautiful portrayal of God's abundant provision. Read it slowly. Stand back and enjoy the view. Psalm 65 allows us to survey who God is and how He provides for us. As I read it, I feel the same awe I experience at the top of a high mountain after a strenuous hike: silent, awestruck praise. Readings and Reflection Questions Monday's Reading: Psalm 65 Read through this psalm, listing all the attributes and actions that describe who God is. Sit in silence, meditating on God's greatness. What is He saying to your heart? Tuesday's Reading: Exodus 14 Revisit the account of the Israelites passing through the Red Sea. In what aspects of your life are you lacking faith like the Israelites? In what aspects are you leading faithfully like Moses? How does this passage encourage you to live with more faith in God? Wednesday's Reading: Joshua 6:1-16 Here's another Old Testament account where the people of Israel were asked to be silent. Why do you think God asked them to be quiet until the opportune time? What was the improbable outcome of their obedience in silently walking where God and Joshua led? How have you seen God work like this in your own life? Thursday's Reading : Psalm 119:89-96 This portion of Psalm 119 talks about the power and faithfulness of God in creation throughout all generations. How is God's Word entwined in the created order? How might you incorporate more silent meditation on God's Word into your life as an act of praise? Friday's Reading: Ecclesiastes 5:1-7 In this passage, Solomon gives us instructions on the proper attitude for approaching God. What principles is Solomon teaching? Why does he advocate for such caution and reverence in what we say to the Lord? Weekend Reading: Psalm 99 This psalm describes the power and holiness of God. What responses should people have to God's holy and awesome presence according to this psalm?

Devotional readings focused on Psalm 20, 91 and 121 for the second week of April. Meditation Skip to the Bible readings This week’s edition of Daily Focus might feel a little different! I’m going to propose a practical exercise for us to do together, one which I think will make a big difference in the way we pray for our kids and grandkids. Do you struggle with having a vibrant prayer life? I do. For me, it is a case of mental and digital clutter: as soon as I begin to pray, my mind typically floods with items from my to do list. Or, as I mention a person to the Lord, my thoughts begin to ruminate on my last conversation with that person. Worse yet, if I’m praying about an area in my life I want to bring into better alignment with God’s purposes, my mind might suggest a list of tips from the latest self-help article or video I encountered online. So much for focusing on the Almighty! But then I opened up Psalm 20. A few verses in, the psalm began to sound like the prayer of a parent for their child. So, I went back to the beginning and read it again as a petition to God. My mind stayed steadily focused on the words of the psalm as I prayed—relief from my usual jumbled thoughts! I know I'm not the first one to suggest praying through scripture. That has been a recommended practice for God's followers since the earliest prayers were written. But it did remind me that God wants prayer to be a joy and pleasure, rather than a burden. It is a privilege to bring our burdens to our Heavenly Father and let Him carry them for us. Even in those times when we struggle to put our thoughts into coherent words, God still wants to hear our hearts. And we never struggle alone. Paul teaches in Romans that the Holy Spirit Himself puts our pain and tears into words when we just can't articulate what's on our hearts: In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know how we ought to pray, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groans too deep for words. And He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. Romans 8:26-27 One way the Holy Spirit does that is by bringing to mind passages of scripture we have studied so that we can cling to God's promises and, in a respectful and faith-filled way, hold Him accountable to come to our aid. I think God loves to hear the words He breathed out whispered back to Him by faithful hearts. So here's what I'm proposing this week. I have put together a reading list of passages for each day; each passage contains a prayer or a blessing. As you read, note the parts that speak to the needs of your children and grandchildren right now. Then compile those parts into a complete scripture prayer in a note app on your phone, and start praying those scriptures over your family. Feel free to choose other Bible passages that you know, as well! I'm going to share my compiled prayer below in the comments this week. I would love to see yours! And please let me know if this makes prayer easier for you. Our kids and grands need prayer, so anything that removes the roadblock to meeting with God is helpful. I'm praying for you all this week, that the Lord will strengthen your connection to Him through prayer! Suggested Readings for Creating Your Scripture Prayer this Week Here's my compiled prayer--I invite you to pray along with me! Monday's reading : Psalm 20 Tuesday's reading : Psalm 91 and Psalm 121 Wednesday's reading: 1 Chronicles 29:10-19 Thursday's reading: Luke 1:46-55 Friday's reading: Ephesians 3:14-21 Weekend reading: Philippians 1:3-11 Share your prayer below in the comments section . . . can't wait to hear from you!