October 10
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PSALM 55 WHEN I AM RESTLESS
Give ear to my prayer, O God,
and hide not yourself from my plea for mercy!
2 Attend to me, and answer me;
I am restless in my complaint and I moan,
3 because of the noise of the enemy,
because of the oppression of the wicked.
For they drop trouble upon me,
and in anger they bear a grudge against me.
4 My heart is in anguish within me;
the terrors of death have fallen upon me.
5 Fear and trembling come upon me,
and horror overwhelms me.
6 And I say, “Oh, that I had wings like a dove!
I would fly away and be at rest;
7 yes, I would wander far away;
I would lodge in the wilderness; Selah
8 I would hurry to find a shelter
from the raging wind and tempest.” – Psalm 55:1-8
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A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
When I am restless, I will run to the Lord for refuge and comfort
I will hide in his steadfast love and let God be in control
Because the enemy has pursued me constantly
The more I will seek God and surrender to him completely
When I am restless, it may be because I am led by my flesh
I will invite the Holy Spirit to take over my whole soul and mind
Though I fear and tremble from all that overwhelms me
I will continue to believe in the Lord who is my deliverer
I will trust in the name of the Lord, my God who is my strength
When I am restless, I will confront the fear that makes me overwhelmed.
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REFLECTION
• What do you think is behind restlessness?