Quieted by Truth

Be still and know that I am God.  (Ps. 46:10)

I lift up my soul to the Lord. I lift my heart, my eyes, my countenance for the Lord is near.

The Lord is near to all who call on His Name.

You have drawn near to me, O Lord, in answer to my cries in the night.

You do not leave the afflicted unnoticed or unattended. 

You are kind and loving and caring ~ moved with compassion for those in need ~ gracious toward all You have made.  

Oh, how these truths comfort me! 

My heart is comforted as I recall Your lovingkindness. 

My soul is quieted within by Truth.

Gladdened once again as peace and serenity settle into my soul,

a smile of sweet assurance comes with them....

For You make me glad, O Lord… (Ps. 92:4)

Julie Engler Miles, all rights reserved.

I have set the Lord always before me. Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore, my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure because You will not abandon me.... You have made known the path of life; You will fill me with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand.  Psalm 16:8-11

* * *
Bless the Lord, O my soul!
My heart is glad at the thought of you, Lord.
You make my heart glad.

Once again the power of the Word accomplishes its purpose.
You are the Living Word ~ and You gladden my heart.

* * *

This is no small thing if you know me well… and I share this today so you will know that God provides a rescue for the oppressed, the afflicted, and the broken-hearted.

Despair and depression and hopelessness have tried to take my life for as far back as I can remember and as recently as yesterday.

I bless the Lord for giving me life and sustaining my life ~ even when I didn’t want Him to ~ even when I would have preferred to give up ~ when the enemy’s torment and lies have come frighteningly close to convincing me to give in to death.

Like yesterday….

Just yesterday, it all felt too hard and I felt too tired to want to keep going.
Just yesterday, I dragged myself through another lifeless day.
Just yesterday, I felt the despair of living the rest of my life in this torment.
Just yesterday, I felt like blowing my brains out.

* * *

But, today….

Today, my heart is glad in Your presence, Lord.
Today, You make my heart glad as I think of You.
Today, word of Your unfailing love sustains me.
Today, I choose Life... because Love makes me want to live.

* * *

I will be glad and rejoice in Your love, for You [see] my affliction and [know] the anguish of my soul.
Psalm 31:7


Julie Engler Miles
journal entry dated Nov. 25, 2009