A New Song in Me

He has put a new song in my mouth—Praise to our God; many will see it and fear, and will trust in the LORD. Psalm 40:3 (New King James Version)

I love it when God puts something new in any part of me…my mind, my mouth, my heart, my ears, my hands, my life! Several days ago, He gave me a tune for a song and the words have been formulating ever since. It capsules the truth of my journey thus far and exemplifies the praise I have for what He continues to do. Songs have a way of capturing our stories in a special way. Is it any wonder many are drawn toward the Psalms…David’s hymnal? No matter what I am going through, God has graciously allowed songs to be written and sung that speak powerfully to my heart and situation. I marvel each time that happens. May God encourage you through the words that flow from my heart to His ears!

I Turn to You

I turn to You,
When a precious one lies buried
and I know my life will never be the same.
I turn to You,
When the hands that I held on to
were called by You to simply walk away,
I turn to You with all my questions
When I don’t understand.
I turn to You with all the heartache
that my mind can’t comprehend.
I turn to You for my future
For I know it’s in Your hands.
I turn to You.


I come to You,
When the road I’m called to walk on
Gets lonely and I feel so out of place.
I come to You,
When my weaknesses and failures
Are once again in need of all Your grace.
I come to You for compassion
When my eyes are filled tears.
I come to You for forgiveness
When I’ve wasted all the years.
I come to You for assurance
When my heart is filled with fears.
I come to You.


I hear You, Lord,
When You speak Your Word so gently
To me, Your child, the one that You adore.
I hear You, Lord,
When You say that You forgive me
For the things I’ve hid behind my own heart’s door.
I hear You, Lord,
When You are speaking the words I need to hear.
I hear You, Lord,
When You answer in ways I count so dear.
I hear You, Lord,
When You tell me You want me to draw near.
I hear You, Lord.


I thank You Lord,
For the ways You choose to test me,
To show me what is really in my heart.
I thank You, Lord,
For the promise that You gave me,
That You and I will never have to part.
I thank You, Lord,
That with the sunshine You also send the rain.
I thank You, Lord,
For the comfort that follows all the pain.
I thank You, Lord,
For the healing that I will see again.
I thank You, Lord.
I thank You, Lord!

Pam Shattuck
December 22, 2008

sing for joy - Don Moen
http://youtube.com/watch?v=3MJ4VqfCRZI

He is wooing you from the jaws of distress to a spacious place free from restriction, to the comfort of your table laden with choice food. Job 36:16

His Word to Me

He said, If you listen carefully to the voice of the LORD your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the LORD, who heals you. Exodus 15:26 (New International Version)

There are certain nuggets of truth that I need to allow God to engrave on the tablets of my heart and impress upon the walls of my mind. One of those nuggets is His title of Healer. Not just the Healer of nations and the Healer of another person’s life, but my Healer as well. I need to embrace this when I become over whelmed with places in me that still need healing. I need to verbalize this when I am tempted to give up. I need to repeat this to myself when there seem to be no other options than to just accept defeat.

This phrase, “I am the LORD who heals you” is a life line to me this morning. It is meant to anchor me with stability and safety. It is meant to keep my head above the waves on the sea of life. It is meant to be the reality I cling to in the midst of thoughts, feelings, and what my five senses experience. It is meant to assure me that He can do what I am unable to do.

One thing I have learned about healing of any kind….God will bring it about and it will take time. Maybe moments of time, decades, or a life time, but it will come. My part? Keep my ears open to His voice. Pay close attention to His daily directives. Walk in obedience to His direction and guidance. Failure to do so hinders my own progress and healing. Yet, I have come to realize that even in these areas I need His help. I need Him to develop in me listening ears, an attentive heart, and willing obedience.

I would love to say I get it right all the time but I know otherwise as do those who know me best. As does my heavenly Father. I drink in His words at a time when failure, floundering, and falling have been apparent. When my own weaknesses are blatantly apparent. When fears abound and hopelessness threatens to darken my path. In the midst of it all, He persists with His loving reminder that He is my Healer. He is my Helper. He is my All.

Father, You give me hope when I am hopeless, strength when I am weak, and clarity when I am confused. Remold this broken vessel into a masterpiece of beauty and dignity. Amen.

You Are My All in All - Michael W. Smith
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YVVW5EakyEc&feature=related

I welcome your questions and comments to any devotional thoughts. I am honored and delighted to share my journey with you and privileged to hear of yours.