Written in 2000 on May 17, my birthday. :)
Psalm 21:1-4
1 The king shall joy in thy strength, O LORD; and in thy salvation how greatly shall he rejoice.
The king shall joy in THY STRENGTH, O LORD, and so shall I! I am spiritually and physically weak, but YOU are MY STRONG ONE – the One who "holdeth (my) soul in life" (Ps. 66:9)! Because I am by grace, "in Christ", You have "clothed me with the garments of salvation"; You have "covered me with (YOUR) robe of righteousness". (From Is. 61:10)
"I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in MY GOD…" (Is. 61:10a)
"Deliverance, HEALTH, help" – These are some of Strong's definitions of the word "salvation". Yes, I shall REJOICE in thy salvation and in THY HEALTH for me! Someday it will be perfect reality!
2 Thou hast given him his heart's desire, and hast not withholden the request of his lips. Selah.
"HEART'S DESIRE"…What was King David's deep longing? Ah, he says in Ps. 27:4,
"One thing have I DESIRED of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple."
David did BEHOLD YOUR BEAUTY! His writings are evidence that You granted his DESIRE for spiritual meditation and a close walk with You!
LORD, although I would rather be totally free of this illness, I know that You have sent it for my spiritual good in answer to the prayer of my heart's desire as well. Thank-You, Lord.
And yet…yesterday I felt so spiritually dead! You know! I knew my birthday was coming up today, and I wanted to spend it in a special way in communion with You, and yet I had no desire although I wanted it – and no Scripture passage to meditate on. Frankly, I just felt spiritually DEAD!
"O CONTINUE thy lovingkindness unto them that know thee…" (Ps. 36:10a)
was my plea! And YES!!!! As I began to leaf through the Psalms, Your words began to "jump out' at me everywhere, and they ministered to my heart – just the words I needed for the moment. Thank-You, LORD!…And yes, thank-You for laying these few verses on my heart for today -
my "birthday verses" this year! Thank-You for renewing my desire to pray and write! I am having a BLAST – and a very special birthday - even if I can't have cake and ice cream! J
O LORD, what an encouraging verse this is! You said, "yes" to King David's request. And yes, You have said "yes" to some of my heart's desires as well…but there are other deep longings! Know my heart, LORD! Hear my prayers! Bring DELIGHT IN GOD for all those that I love! Answer the other cries of my heart as well! LORD, You know!
3a For thou preventest him with the blessings of goodness:
"Preventest"- i.e. "precede…" LORD, You have gone before me, and You have strewn "BLESSINGS" in my path. Yes, many blessings You have given, and right now I'm thinking
of the organic meat, the medicines and supplements (especially the olive leaf extract), and the country house for $150 a month rent instead of our old, moldy trailer. Thank-You, LORD, for these blessings!
3b thou settest a crown of pure gold on his head.
Well, the mailman has come and gone. Even though I still have my family, being pretty much "homebound" is a "place of LONELINESS" sometimes. I got a few birthday cards this week, but none today on my birthday…not many letters, no preseents today either – at least not yet…
But wait…YES! YOU have given me a beautiful present today – a crown of pure gold!!! You have crowned me with LOVINGKINDNESS and TENDER MERCIES! You say so in Psalm 103:4! Thank-You, LORD, for this wonderful birthday present today!
4 He asked life of thee, and thou gavest it him, even length of days for ever and ever..
And yes, You have given me the wonderful birthday present of LIFE, spiritual life..and also physical life! Remember the words I have prayed? –
"O spare me, that I may recover strength, before I go hence, and be no more." (Ps. 39:13)
LORD, You know how many times I've wondered if I would die. Last year I was not sure I would make it to this day, my birthday. YOU have blessed me richly! I have asked LIFE of thee, and You have given it to me! Hallelujah! In Jesus' name. Amen!
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