My Testimony in Song

Many changes have taken place in my life over the last two years. It's been a difficult time, but today as I was reading Psalm 116, I saw my testimony of those two years.

"I love the LORD, because He has heard my voice and my pleas for mercy.
Because He inclined His ear to me, therefore I will call on Him as long as I live."

Having tried to hide my sin for decades, I cried out to the Lord for help and He heard me.

"The snares of death encompassed me; the pangs of Sheol laid hold on me; I suffered distress and anguish. Then I called on the name of the LORD; 'O LORD, I pray, deliver my soul!' Gracious is the LORD, and righteous; our God is merciful. The LORD preserves the simple; when I was brought low, He saved me."

In my desperation and hopelessness, I was ready to end it all. I saw no other way. I was distressed, because I didn't want to deal with my sins and the consequences. It was at that bottom, that the Lord turned my eyes to Him for deliverance.

"Return, O my soul, to your rest; for the LORD has dealt bountifully with you. For You have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling; I will walk before the LORD in the land of the living."

Now I am able to rest in the Lord and enjoy His bounty in my life. He spared my life. He keeps me from falling into sin. He has kept me alive for a reason.

"I believed, even when I spoke: 'I am greatly afflicted;' I said in my alarm, 'All mankind are liars.'"

It has been a difficult time, and often I thought my friends were against me. But those who are true friends were and still are trying to help me.

"What shall I render to the LORD for all His benefits to me? I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the LORD, I will pay my vows to the LORD in the presence of all His people."

God has blessed me and now I can bless others.

"Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His saints."

But in His timing, not mine.

"O LORD, I am your servant; I am your servant, the son of your maidservant, You have loosed my bonds."

He is the one who has set me free. Free to be His servant.

"I will offer to You the sacrifice of thanksgiving and call on the name of the LORD, I will pay my vows to the LORD in the presence of all His people, in the courts of the house of the LORD, in your midst, O Jerusalem."

Nothing better can be done than to give God thanks for what He has done.

"Praise the LORD!"