Today is the first day of March. Here in cold, snowy Halifax, spring seems far away. On this grey day, I feel like some encouragement, and I want to share it with you. I've been reading the Psalms in my devotions and as I read these prayers and praise to God, some particular verses have stuck out to me:
"Lord God, my strong Savior, You shield my head on the day of battle." Psalm 140:7
"Yahweh [the Old Testament name for God], if You considered my sins, Lord, who could stand? But with You there is forgiveness, so that You may be revered. I wait for Yahweh; I wait and put my hope in His word." Psalm 130:3-5
"For Your faithful love is higher than the heavens, and Your faithfulness reaches the clouds. God, be exalted above the heavens, and let Your glory be over the whole earth. Save with Your right hand and answer me so that those You love may be rescued." Psalm 108:5-6
"[God] is my faithful love and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer, He is my shield and I take refuge in Him." Psalm 144:2
"Let me experience Your faithful love in the morning, for I trust in You. Reveal to me the way I should go because I long for You. Rescue me from my enemies, Lord; I come to You for protection. Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God. May Your gracious Spirit lead me on level ground. Because of Your name, Yahweh, let me live. In Your righteousness, deliver me from trouble." Psalm 143:8-11
"The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and great in faithful love. The Lord is good to everyone. His compassion rests on all He has made. ... The Lord is faithful in all His words and gracious in all His actions. The Lord helps all who fall." Psalm 145:9, 13-14
"Hallelujah! My soul praise the Lord. I will praise the Lord all my life; I will sing to my God as long as I live. ... Happy is the one who's ... hope is in the Lord his God, the maker of heaven and earth, the sea and everything in them. He remains faithful forever, executing justice for the exploited and giving food to the hungry. The Lord frees prisoners. The Lord opens the eyes of the blind. The Lord raises up those who are oppressed. The Lord loves the righteous. The Lord protects foreigners and helps the fatherless and the widow, but He frustrates the way of the wicked. The Lord reigns forever; Zion, your God reigns for all generations. Hallelujah!" Psalm 146:1-2, 5-10