LULLABY HERALDING HIS WATCHFUL CARE
Hallelujah! Sing to the LORD a new song—His praise in the assembly of the godly. Let Israel
rejoiceH8055 in their Maker; let the children of Zion rejoiceH1523 in their King. Let them praise
His name with dancing, and make music to Him with tambourine and harp. For the LORD
takes pleasure in His people; He adorns the afflicted with salvation. Let the saints exultH5937
in glory; let them shout for joyH7442 upon their beds.
Psalm 149:1-5
Susan’s body may be reclined, but her mind is not confined. She has been “bed-found” since 1997, meaning you will find her in her bed most of the time. From November of 2008 to March of 2011, she was able to get up and out to go to church once a week in a reclining wheelchair. From 2012 to 2016, she could only leave her home on a gurney in an ambulance. Therefore, she only traveled to hospitals unless a friend who owned an ambulance took her to a special event at church. Now Susie and Susan have their own van (PTL!) and are able to go places as long as Susan’s pain is somewhat controlled, and two people are available to transfer Susan from the bed to her chair and back again. When we first became roommates, the highlight of our day was the evening ritual we established to sing before we pray and sleep. Susan claims she is brave to sing alongside someone whose bachelor’s degree is in Music Education Vocal. However, we lift our hearts to the Lord even if it would be more closely identified as “a joyful noise.” We sing songs that praise the Lord for His watchful care over us. The fact that Susan can live pursuing life joyfully and not just want to check out and go home to be with the Lord immediately is proof of the truth in this psalm.
Since the Lord enables Susan to make a joyful noise on her bed, surely, we can all find joy in whatever challenges we are facing. Ask the Lord to show you how to live joyfully through your daily struggles. You might even try singing His praise before you drift off to sleep and again first thing in the morning.
Father, enable us to rise above afflictions to be able to rejoice in all circumstances because we know that You are using every trial to shape us into the image of Your Son, Jesus.