Psalm – Chapter 116

For you have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling; I will walk before the Lord in the land of the living. Psalm 116:8-9 – I love how this chapter begins. The first phrase is “I love the Lord, because…” Then the rest of the psalm seems to be the second part of that phrase, telling us why he loves the Lord. Because while nothing else could, God was able to deliver his soul from death. God heard his cries, saw his pain, and stepped into the mess and saved him. Now because of God he can walk in places and in ways he couldn’t before. All because of what God did for Him. What then would your answer be to the phrase, “I love the Lord, because…?” If your story is anything like this psalmist’s and you’ve been saved from death by God, then let the level of love you give to God reflect that. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1344

The Lord preserves the simple; when I was brought low, he saved me. Return, O my soul, to your rest; for the Lord has dealt bountifully with you. Psalm 116:6-7 – We can return to rest. The place where our body and mind can exist at peace and joy, where fear and worry are far from us, this is where we finally can settle again because of Jesus. In our psalmist’s story they had gone through struggle but God heard their cry and brought them to safe, solid ground. Their heart was finally able to rest again because of the rescue provided by God. Know today we too can return to rest. God has come, God has saved, and He has placed us on solid ground with Him. Maybe the current season of life doesn’t feel like much rescue has come, but be willing to dwell on what your life currently would look like if God’s hand was never within your story. His hand has played a massive role in carrying you to the blessings of life you have currently and His directions are to guide you back into His rest. No, every struggle and every battle are not over, but we can still find His rest if we allow our souls to rest in Him. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2247