Getting Stronger!

 

Favorite Scriptures Day #8

Stephanie and I went NORTH to have our meeting about my Medicare plan on Friday. Since we have retired, insurance has been a big deal. It sucked most of our savings because of all my diabetic medication, medical devices, doctors appointments, surgeries, etc. The Affordable Care Act wasn't very affordable. But, Stephanie went back to teaching for a period of time to keep us afloat medically. Now in a little more than a month, I will be on medicare. Yippee! I know, many of you are not as thrilled with medicare as I am. I know it is not perfect, but it is better than the alternative. We have a great insurance man and his wife, who works with him, is just as amazing. They are knowledgeable, have a great heart for the Lord, and we loved their wisdom and guidance. That magic number, 65, is so helpful in many things. 

One of the things I am looking forward to is the free gym membership. I had to stop going to the gym because it was just too expensive. I love working out, walking or running on a treadmill, and trying to take care of my body. As I mentioned, being a diabetic, managing weight, physically taking care of yourself, is so important. Since making this transition to full-time ministry, I have not always made my physical health as important as my spiritual health. I need to find a balance.

Today, in the 8th day of my Favorites Scriptures, I come to one of my absolute favorites of my favorites, Psalm 118. Look at this picture of my notes on this scripture. 

I hope you can get the sense how much this scripture means to me. I have read it hundreds of times and love every single word. So today is a hard day when I think about what to write about. But as I was thinking about "working out" and getting stronger, it reminded me of this part of Psalm 118:

"Songs of joy and victory are sung in the camp of the godly. The strong right arm of the Lord has done glorious things! The strong right arm of the Lord is raised in triumph. The strong right arm of the Lord has done glorious things! I will not die; instead, I will live to tell what the Lord has done. The Lord has punished me severely, be he did not let me die." (Psalm 118:15-18, NLT)

David is looking back at so many of his past events and how the Lord has protected him through his divine strength and mercy. The Lord had the right to destroy King David. The incident with David and Bathsheba is just ONE of those sinful deeds that David deserved death. But, God spared him in his mercy and love. 

I can certainly look back at my life and join King David in rejoicing in the "SONGS OF VICTORY." God has done GLORIOUS THINGS for me. God deserves all the honor and praise and I am thankful for his restraint from giving me the judgment and consequences I deserve. I praise JESUS for that intervention. 

So I can always quote the rest of Psalm 118 and rejoice:

"This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it. Please, Lord, please save us. Please, Lord, please give us sucess. Bless the one who comes in the name of the Lord. We bless you from the house of the Lord. The Lord is God, shining upon us. Take the sacrifice and bind it with cords on the altar. You are my God, and I will praise you!You are my God, and I will exalt you! Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever!" (Psalm 118:24-29, NLT)