I finished a journal today*–the first journal I have ever finished front to back. It has taken me over a year to fill, and cover to cover it is full of my faith journey over the past year and three months. Its pages hold my deepest transformations, so much of what God has taught me, and ultimately a story (or collection of stories) I’ll be sharing for the rest of my life.
I’ve talked a lot about my transformation over my college years, from a girl who really did love Jesus but didn’t know how to live for Him, to a woman of God on fire for His Kingdom. This wasn’t a smooth transition. It isn’t even finished yet, and won’t be until this earth passes away and a new one is born.
The front of this journal says in gold letters “God is love.” The last entry in it, completely on accident, begins with “Be like Jesus. Truth and love.”
This last page of my journal continues with me reading Psalm 107. I kept getting distracted. I got ten verses in and realized I hadn’t really read any of it, so I started over. I finished it the second time, but again my mind had wondered. Some days I would move on, but something in me knew that I needed to read this Psalm today.
The third time around I noticed the heading of the Psalm according to my Bible: Thanksgiving for God’s Deliverance. It begins with “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his faithful love endures forever. Let the redeemed of the Lord proclaim that he has redeemed them from the power of the foe…” (Psalm 107:1-2).
Each stanza is a group of people that call out for God’s deliverance, and each time He rescues them. Whether they are simply hungry and thirsty and lost, or they are rebellious against Him, when they cry out to Him He responds with rescue, grace, and faithful love. He delivers them each and every time.
Verse 22 says “Let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving and announce his works with shouts of joy.” This is my shout of joy. I have been redeemed by God. I have cried out from the wilderness, from my own rebellion, and God has faithfully responded with rescue and love every single time. I am redeemed continually.
Verse 43 says “Let whoever is wise pay attention to these things and consider the acts of faithful love.” All it takes is crying out to the Lord…He’ll even hear you if you whisper or just think it. It doesn’t matter where you are or who you are or what you have done. His love is faithful and good. He is who He says He is. All you have to do is ask for His rescue. He has an army waiting for your redemption.
Always,
Emily
*This post was written a few months in advance, so the “today” is not this present date.
Always Emily 