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At the beginning of a semester my heart feels like it's beating out of my chest and my stomach feels full of butterflies. There is so much excitement for the endless possibilities of how God will move and a little trepidation for the hard things sure to come. My mind spins with my "to-do" list--a mix of things that need to be done soon and others that may only be dreams. And my response to all the chaos in my mind, heart, and body---is to go, go, go. I want to jump in to the work and the people and face the things to come. The first few weeks of a semester are really difficult for me to slow down and let God's Word wash over me. I'd rather be checking things off my list or in the middle of people gathering after a long summer. Yet I know the sweetest place is to be abiding with Jesus and meditating on God's Word. If His Word is true, which I believe it is, then the Bible is full of the most valuable riches in the world. The Scripture is full of more joy, strength, and comfort that any check off my list or group of fun people I may see. My delight will be found in His Word. So as the semester starts and the temptation to speed up begins to seem louder than the voice to slow down, will you join me in asking God to protect our time with Him?
[[Enjoy this Psalm and the reminder it is of the value of God's Word.]]
Psalm 19
The heavens declare the glory of God,
and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.
Day to day pours out speech,
and night to night reveals knowledge.
There is no speech, nor are there words,
whose voice is not heard.
Theirvoicegoes out through all the earth,
and their words to the end of the world.
In them he has set a tent for the sun,
which comes out likea bridegroom leaving his chamber,
and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy.
Its rising is from the end of the heavens,
and its circuit to the end of them,
and there is nothing hidden from its heat.
The law of theLordis perfect,
reviving the soul;
the testimony of the Lord is sure,
making wise the simple;
the precepts of theLordare right,
rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the Lord is pure,
enlightening the eyes;
the fear of the Lord is clean,
enduring forever;
the rules of the Lord are true,
and righteous altogether.
More to be desired are they than gold,
even much fine gold;
sweeter also than honey
and drippings of the honeycomb.
Moreover, by them is your servant warned;
in keeping them there is great reward.
Who can discern his errors?
Declare me innocent from hidden faults.
Keep back your servant also frompresumptuous sins;
let them not have dominion over me!
Then I shall be blameless,
and innocent of great transgression.
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart