SCRIPTURE: Trust [rely on and have confidence] in the Lord and do good; Dwell in the land and feed [securely] on His faithfulness. Delight yourself in the Lord, And He will give you the desires and petitions of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; Trust in Him also and He will do it. Psalm 37:3-5 AMP
THOUGHT: You know, I almost feel like I’m spilling all my secrets sharing these lyrics. Especially today. I’ve only written one or two what I consider country songs, but this is part of one, written in 2021 before we moved back to the beautiful state of Tennessee. I have a voice in mind for this song, but who am I to pitch one of the most famous country artists of all times? And what does this song have to do with a daily devotional?
Well, glad you asked that. I have a little part time job where I get to travel our beautiful country. Sometimes the logistics of it all are daunting, and boring, and frustrating. But when I get behind the wheel and can just drive – that’s the sweetest part. I suppose I’ve loved to drive since I was 14, and I never understand young people who don’t want to get a license. There was freedom in it, and it was a sign of growing up when the family car was entrusted to you, even if it was to run to Piggly Wiggly for Mom (which usually included at least one time down the “drag” as we called it).
Anyway, fast forward a bunch of years to my late 50s, when children were launched and I began to contemplate how much I liked driving and seeing the country. One of my favorite drives was everything east of Nashville in Tennessee, and I often wished we could live there. In late 2021, God gave both my husband and I the desire of our heart and we moved to the beautiful Sequatchie Valley between Crossville and Chattanooga.
Long story to make a short point: I’ve seen God give me the desires of my heart before, and hopefully I will again. When we get our heart ready to say “your will, not mine,” all kinds of amazing things happen – and my life is a testimony to that. So, although it’s not a very spiritual lyric, it does reflect that truth in my life.
Today’s encouragement: trust him, delight yourself in him and see if he doesn’t give you the desires of your heart too. But first, your love for him may change your desires!
SONG:
Almost back in Tennessee
Amy L. Clemens, Almost Back in Tennessee, 5.1.21
Those mountains sure are calling me, and
I’ve never heard a sweeter song, think I’ve
Found the place where I belong
I’ve been far and I’ve been wide, and
If father time is on my side, think I’ll
Put on my walking shoes
Head out east of Chattanoog, and
Wrap myself in Smoky Mountain blues.
PRAYER: Oh God, thank you for the beauty you’ve placed in each of our lives. Thank you that as we delight ourselves in you, you change and shape our desires and sometimes answer the prayers we never even prayed.
Dear Reader,
I’m glad you’re along and I pray you will be blessed, challenged, and encouraged in your faith by something you read here.
There are archives by topic below – now more than 1000 of these daily meditations to browse.
ABOUT ME:
Blogger Amy Clemens is the author of Walking When You’d Rather Fly: Meditations on Faith After the Fall. In it she explores childhood sexual abuse and how it impacted her faith (or lack thereof) for four decades. You’ll find not only her story, but better yet, the Big Story of God.
Check out Walking When You’d Rather Fly, and learn more about the book and Amy’s other ministries. You will also find her devotional work at Words of Hope.
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