My son was a good sleeper for the first three months, but that did not last long. He would only sleep while being held or in his car seat. I sought out all the experts: Instagram, Google, Amazon, and other mom friends. I was so focused on listening to the “specialists” that I was not listening to the Expert, God.

When Solomon asked God for wisdom and discernment, he believed God would grant him exactly what he needed to be a wise king. He could have asked for anything in the world, but instead he asked for knowledge and insight so that he could judge the people fairly and wisely. His trust in God led to some incredible revelations and rulings.  Have you ever heard of a leader who suggested cutting a baby in half just so he could figure out who the real mother was? Solomon suggested that because he knew that God had given him the knowledge to be able to figure out which mother was lying. Without Solomon’s complete trust in God, he would have never been able to make the judgements that he did.

Instead of asking God for wisdom, like Solomon, I was stressing over Oliver’s nap schedule. I realized that I needed to trust in God more than I was originally. I prayed and spoke with God; I apologized for not coming to him first. I opened up my heart, and determined to listen more. Then I remembered a verse we talked about in my Bible study, “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful” (Hebrews 10:23). As soon as that verse popped into my head, I knew God was speaking to me. I had just told my husband that I thought God was never going to speak to me about Oliver’s nap time issues and then I heard that verse loud and clear.

I was not holding onto that hope and faith that God would help me. I was not being like Solomon; I was turning to others to help me and not turning to the One who is with me and for me. After turning back to Him, I was able to focus on learning Oliver’s needs instead of what all the “specialists” were saying. God gave wisdom and instruction; I simply focused on obeying.

With access to “specialists” at our fingertips, it can be hard to not hold what they say as gospel. There is only One who can give us true wisdom and discernment— God. Next time you are struggling with parenting or any life milestone, I implore you to go to Him first before any person or book. You will learn more by listening to the True Expert.

​The more I ponder what David penned in this special psalm, the more I see a picture of salvation in it by a God who is fully engaged with us. Each verse leads you further into God’s plans and purposes. Each verse exposes His heart to save His people and to dwell with us.
 
We read the elements of Psalm 23 throughout the Old Testament. The Lord pursued Adam and Eve after they sinned. It was The Lord that led His people out of captivity and into the promised land. He was the cloud by day and fire by night. It was The Lord that repeatedly saved them from their numerous enemies, and taught them how to live obediently to remain in that blessed state of salvation.
 
In the New Testament, we see the ultimate way God revealed Himself as a Shepherd ushering His sheep to salvation. Jesus (God wrapped in flesh) is The Good Shepherd in John 10, laying down His life for His sheep. He held fast to His Father’s words, ways and plans. He conquered the enemy and rose victoriously from the grave so that we could dwell in the safety of His care. Great is His faithfulness, for He is still shepherding us!
 
“Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen” (Hebrews 13:20-21).
 
God is still supplying everything we need to be saved, healed and delivered. He has always been the provider and always will be. Salvation is His gift to His people because He values us. He created us for a relationship with Him. He wants us to live life in His presence, fully becoming what He designed us to be. We were made to reflect Him in this world and He takes perfect care to make sure we are successful in that endeavor. Every word in Psalm 23 reveals who He wants to be for us through all of life. David saw it from the time he was a shepherd and all through his kingship, leaning into the fullness of relationship with Him.
 
I encourage you to ask the Holy Spirit to guide you through these beautiful verses of Psalm 23. No matter what life has thrown at you, He is enough to save, heal and deliver you. To Him, you are completely worth it, so much so that He gave up His life for you. That, my friends, is love. And isn’t it what we all truly long for? To be known fully and loved fully? The Good Shepherd is the only One who can fulfill us and usher us into a place where we lack nothing. He is enough.

Pride causes resentful feelings to flood into our hearts. Jealousy, insecurity, anger, and bitterness will eat away at us until we are empty. We don’t have to let it though. David shows us there is another option.

David was continuously in prayer. He prioritized what God thought and knew Saul was God’s anointed one. Faithfully trusting the battle was the Lord’s, he turned down the opportunity to kill Saul. He loved Saul. David wrote a song in honor of him after his passing. David was considered a man after God’s own heart. We see why, because Jesus called us to treat our enemies, the way David treated Saul:

“‘You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven’” (Matthew 5:43-45).

Debbie Burns, a woman dear to my heart, always has something profound to share with our Rooted Mom’s group. One Monday night she gave us a  little piece of wisdom I will keep with me forever. It is so good, it almost felt like a secret. “Pray for God to let you see your enemies how he sees them.”

WOW. What a David mentality.

Why give a piece of your mind when God can give you peace of mind? 

There is power in praying for our enemies. One of Satan's greatest lies is that hate is more powerful than love. When we give into our worldly feelings (revenge, hateful words, spiteful actions), we give our energy to the enemy; the one who comes to kill, steal, and destroy (Jn 10:10). Satan wants to instill fear and hate in your heart to kill your faith. He will steal any joy you have and replace it with insecurity. He will destroy you by leading you astray from God, the one who sustains you.

​God will give you the strength to overcome the temptation of seeking revenge and wisdom to know the battle is His. He will provide you with the strength to love ones who hurt you and wisdom in knowing who the real enemy is. Prayer is our greatest defense against any troubles the world brings because it connects us with the Prince of Peace. Today be assured your Father in Heaven sees and hears you! Give your energy to Him and you will be showered with His peace.

This happened several years ago, when our family faced a financial crisis and each new bill caused an immediate rise in my blood pressure. We owned a rental property on the other side of the country, and our renters abandoned the home with no warning. As regular bills accumulated, so did debt for damage they left behind.
 
I wanted to cut our losses and sell the property, but as it sat on the market, it became obvious that it wasn’t God’s timing. Despite my pleas asking Him to release this burden, we eventually had to rent again.
 
If we look at the life of David, we see someone who waited for God’s timing too. Although anointed king as a boy, years passed before he took the throne. These years weren’t tranquil either, but a time where David was pursued by a king who wanted to kill him. I imagine David questioned God’s timing too. As a matter of fact, a look at the Psalms shows us he did, on more than one occasion.
 
“How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever?” (Psalm 13:1)
 
Psalm 13 is just one example of a theme we see throughout these songs David wrote, often during times of distress. However, David doesn’t stay in this mindset. After pouring out his heart, we see a shift. We see an intentional decision to trust God, and recognize He is sovereign even in the wait.
 
“But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation.” (Psalm 13:5 NIV)
 
Seasons of waiting give you the opportunity to shift your focus from deliverance to the Deliverer.
 
David’s life was a reflection of this recognition as well. When pursued by King Saul, he had more than one opportunity to kill him. But instead of taking matters into his own hands, he waited. His actions acknowledged that vindication belonged to the Lord, and he knew God would give the throne to him in his timing.
 
As for our situation with the rental house, God released that burden in his timing also. Eventually, the market soared and we were able to sell the property for much more than we would have if I’d had my way. I realized the waiting wasn’t wasted time, but a season God used to draw us into a deeper trust in Him.
 
If you’re in a season of waiting right now, remember God hasn’t abandoned you. He is still working in the midst of the unknown. But instead of trusting in the answer, He wants us to trust Him. Shift your focus from the answer you can’t yet see to the One who sees your story from beginning to end. He will transform your heart in the wait. Bring your worry to him today, and allow the seasons of waiting to move your attention from the rescue to the Rescuer.

My three year-old daughter was a blessing and pure joy as she cheerfully filled our house with singing, good-natured preschool mischief, lots of warm hugs and sloppy kisses.  She was growing into a bright and precocious child who filled my days with activity and my heart with love. Amidst the fulfillment I experienced nurturing her, a void was present deep in my mother’s heart. I knew someone was missing in our family. I had prayed fervently for a new baby for the past couple years. 

After church the following Sunday, I parked in the garage while my husband and daughter went into the house to prepare lunch.  I had no appetite.  I opened my Bible to 1 Samuel and I started to pray and weep as I read Hannah’s story.  My tears mixed with Hannah’s as she struggled with the overt slights from Peninnah and I struggled with the blessings of my more fertile friends.

In 1 Samuel 1, we read that God blessed Peninnah and Elkanah with children long before Hannah’s womb opened to conceive Samuel.  Samuel’s arrival was no accident.  He was the child of ardent prayer as Hannah cried out to God in such a way that Eli, the priest, thought she had been drinking too much wine.  Her anguish and bitter tears reached the ears of the LORD of Heaven’s Armies with a promise to return the child to God’s service for his entire lifetime if she could conceive and carry him under her heart for a short time.  God heard Hannah’s cry, then gave Eli a message for Hannah that her request for a baby would be granted. 

Strengthened by Hannah’s example to plead with the Lord openly, the very next Sunday I followed suit.  During the service I went to the altar and prayed for another child. Our worship pastor prayed with my husband and me.  After a few minutes our pastor looked at me and assured me that the Lord had heard my cry and I could expect God to answer my prayers.  With this affirmation, I imagined how Hannah must have felt when Eli said something similar to her. Have you ever felt certain that your bold act of vulnerability was heard and kept safe by God?  I have. About a year later, we gathered to dedicate our infant son’s tiny new life to the Lord. 

Have you ever longed desperately for someone to be part of your life? Perhaps you feel the desire for a child, a close friend, or a spouse to be in your life. Hannah’s story shows us that making ourselves vulnerable before God is the safest place to share our most desperate cries.  Cry out!  Share your desire with the One who already knows your deepest hopes and dreams.  Trust Him with your longings and know that He is listening!