my nightly sounding board

I’m the kind of girl that needs truth right out in front of me. Especially at night.

Is it just me, or does the dark of night seem to invite more discouragement in?

Taped to my bathroom mirror, (a portion of) Psalm 16 has become my nightly sounding board of truth. At the end of the day, all my thoughts and feelings are dumped on the bathroom counter and held up to the light.

You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing. (verse 2)

Sometimes, this one verse is all my heart needs. Ever since I studied the names of God, I’m careful to think before I call Him Lord. At the sound of this name, my heart sputters, “You had me at hello.”

Jesus, you are my Lord. My Master. The One to whom I belong. Everything I need is found in you. Every good thing comes from your hand. Apart from you, I have nothing.

Lord, you have assigned to me my portion and my cup; You have made my lot secure. (verse 5)

This verse can be read several ways. In this season, it’s my statement of contentment.

Lord, my lot in this life has been perfectly provided by You. The good, the bad, and the ugly – I trust you with it. You have assigned to me my portion and my cup. In you is everything I need. My future and my hope are secure.

The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance. (verse 6)

Teach me to walk the length and breadth of your good plans for me. I don’t want to miss any part of it! 

I will praise the Lord, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. (verse 7)

I can’t get over the ways that you guide me! Even at night, your Spirit is at work, forming me from the inside out; centering my heart and mind on your truth. Thank you for the ways you lead me. 

I have set the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. (verse 8)

You are ever-present with me; at all times, you go before me. I will not live in fear or abandon my calling because you stand at my right hand. 

You have made known to me the path of life; you fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. (verse 11)

You have shown me the good life, Lord. I won’t go back to any other kind of living. Walking with you is my greatest joy. Living in your presence is my great delight.

…

I don’t know where this day finds you, the load you carry, or the burden you bear. But maybe, just maybe, these words will be an encouraging sounding board of truth for you too.