psalm 119:65

65 - Thou hast dealt well 

with thy servant, O Lord, 

according to thy word.

Oh, how true is this verse!  My testimony!  So often, it doesn't feel "well" according to society's standards, but oh so well according to His Word.

Affliction, sorrow, reproach, derision, stranger, forsaken, horror--words from David describing life.  I have felt all of these words.

Redeemer, faithful, grace, compassion, friend, lovingkindness, provider, healer--my life from His Word.

Oh yes.  Thou has dwelt well with me.

"No doubt," said the late Rev. J. Brown, of Haddington, Scotland,

"I have met with trials as well as others; yet so kind has God been to me,

that I think if he were to give me as many years as I have already lived in the world,

I should not desire one single circumstance in my lot changed,

except that I wish I had less sin.

It might be written on my coffin, 'Here lies one of the cares of Providence,

who early wanted both father and mother, and yet never missed them.'"

© 2012 by Melani Brady Shock

psalm 119:65

65 - Thou hast dealt well 

with thy servant, O Lord, 

according to thy word.

Oh, how true is this verse!  My testimony!  So often, it doesn't feel "well" according to society's standards, but oh so well according to His Word.

Affliction, sorrow, reproach, derision, stranger, forsaken, horror--words from David describing life.  I have felt all of these words.

Redeemer, faithful, grace, compassion, friend, lovingkindness, provider, healer--my life from His Word.

Oh yes.  Thou has dwelt well with me.

"No doubt," said the late Rev. J. Brown, of Haddington, Scotland,

"I have met with trials as well as others; yet so kind has God been to me,

that I think if he were to give me as many years as I have already lived in the world,

I should not desire one single circumstance in my lot changed,

except that I wish I had less sin.

It might be written on my coffin, 'Here lies one of the cares of Providence,

who early wanted both father and mother, and yet never missed them.'"

© 2012 by Melani Brady Shock

psalm 119:64

64 - The earth, O Lord,

is full of thy mercy: 

teach me thy statutes.

The more we find Him, the more we need Him.  David found he was everywhere--the whole earth was full of Him!

Still. . ."teach me."

The more we see of His mercy beyond our comprehension, the more we realize we do not know.  His grace calls us to repentance.  This is beyond my realm of understanding...my scope of learning...my capacity for knowledge.

"Teach me."

Titus 6:3-5

3 - If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, 

[even] the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, 

and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;

4 - He is proud, knowing nothing, 

but doting about questions and strifes of words, 

whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,

5 - Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, 

and destitute of the truth, 

supposing that gain is godliness: 

from such withdraw thyself.

If verse 63 tells us that our companions matter, how much more should verse 64 arrest us?

Who is teaching you?  And what are they teaching you?

© 2012 by Melani Brady Shock

psalm 119:64

64 - The earth, O Lord,

is full of thy mercy: 

teach me thy statutes.

The more we find Him, the more we need Him.  David found he was everywhere--the whole earth was full of Him!

Still. . ."teach me."

The more we see of His mercy beyond our comprehension, the more we realize we do not know.  His grace calls us to repentance.  This is beyond my realm of understanding...my scope of learning...my capacity for knowledge.

"Teach me."

Titus 6:3-5

3 - If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, 

[even] the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, 

and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;

4 - He is proud, knowing nothing, 

but doting about questions and strifes of words, 

whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,

5 - Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, 

and destitute of the truth, 

supposing that gain is godliness: 

from such withdraw thyself.

If verse 63 tells us that our companions matter, how much more should verse 64 arrest us?

Who is teaching you?  And what are they teaching you?

© 2012 by Melani Brady Shock

psalm 119:63

63 - I am a companion

of all them that fear thee,

and of them

that keep thy precepts.

We are known by the company we keep.  Human nature naturally seeks out those who share their same values.

"Associate with men of good quality if you esteem your own reputation; 

for it is better to be alone than in bad company."

~ George Washington

The entire book of Proverbs lists as one of its reasons for being written as "to [give] to the young man knowledge and discretion." And, in this case, the young woman, also.  Along with the middle-aged and the elderly...

The Word of God has quite enough to say about this particular subject and needs no amplification.  However, this little story, although not Biblical, illustrates this point very well.

A man wished to purchase a Donkey, and decided to give the animal a test before buying him.  He took the Donkey home and put him in the field with his other Donkeys.

The new Donkey strayed from the others to join the one that was the laziest and the biggest eater of them all.  Seeing this, the man led him back to his owner.  When the owner asked how he could have tested the Donkey in such a short time, the man answered, "I didn't even need to see how he worked.  I knew he would be just like the one he chose to be his companion."

Jesus was a friend to sinners, but his companions were God-followers.  WE would do well to understand the difference and follow His example.

© 2012 by Melani Brady Shock

psalm 119:63

63 - I am a companion

of all them that fear thee,

and of them

that keep thy precepts.

We are known by the company we keep.  Human nature naturally seeks out those who share their same values.

"Associate with men of good quality if you esteem your own reputation; 

for it is better to be alone than in bad company."

~ George Washington

The entire book of Proverbs lists as one of its reasons for being written as "to [give] to the young man knowledge and discretion." And, in this case, the young woman, also.  Along with the middle-aged and the elderly...

The Word of God has quite enough to say about this particular subject and needs no amplification.  However, this little story, although not Biblical, illustrates this point very well.

A man wished to purchase a Donkey, and decided to give the animal a test before buying him.  He took the Donkey home and put him in the field with his other Donkeys.

The new Donkey strayed from the others to join the one that was the laziest and the biggest eater of them all.  Seeing this, the man led him back to his owner.  When the owner asked how he could have tested the Donkey in such a short time, the man answered, "I didn't even need to see how he worked.  I knew he would be just like the one he chose to be his companion."

Jesus was a friend to sinners, but his companions were God-followers.  WE would do well to understand the difference and follow His example.

© 2012 by Melani Brady Shock

psalm 119:62

62 - At midnight I will rise

to give thanks unto thee because of

thy righteous judgments.

What an arresting verse!  At midnight, he rose to give thanks.

I stay up late for pleasure, travel, work, to care for family.  How often have I deliberately arose at midnight to have a praise session?  The thought of it is pretty incredulous.

What if your pastor announced on Sunday morning, "I am asking all of you to be here at midnight tonight for a time of praise and thanksgiving!"?

What if you informed your household, "Tonight we are going to set our alarms for midnight and we are going to all get up and sing and praise the Lord!"?

What if you set your own alarm and privately declared to God, "I have an appointment with you at midnight, Lord.  I'm just going to take some time to thank you for your goodness and your grace."?

Really?  Every one of us would probably say, "I love Him.  I worship Him.  I thank Him for all He has done.  But I can do that in my waking hours...I don't have to take time from my rest to do that.  After all, He is the one who created night for sleep, day for work, Sabbath for rest..."  Oh we have our logic down pat.

Song of Solomon, chapter 5

2 - I sleep, but my heart waketh: 

it is the voice of my beloved that knocketh, saying, 

Open to me, my sister, my love, my dove, my undefiled:...

3 - I have put off my coat; how shall I put it on?  

I have washed my feet; how shall I defile them?...

6 - I opened to my beloved; 

but my beloved had withdrawn himself, and was gone: 

my soul failed when he spake: 

I sought him, but I could not find him; 

I called him, but he gave me no answer.

My prayer:

"God consume all of me.  

Don't let me put You in a slot or a category, 

a season or a pattern.  

Disrupt my schedule with your Word.  

Don't let times or seasons or preconceived notions 

of what You delight in or require 

prevent me from 

missing your knock at my door."

© 2012 by Melani Brady Shock

psalm 119:62

62 - At midnight I will rise

to give thanks unto thee because of

thy righteous judgments.

What an arresting verse!  At midnight, he rose to give thanks.

I stay up late for pleasure, travel, work, to care for family.  How often have I deliberately arose at midnight to have a praise session?  The thought of it is pretty incredulous.

What if your pastor announced on Sunday morning, "I am asking all of you to be here at midnight tonight for a time of praise and thanksgiving!"?

What if you informed your household, "Tonight we are going to set our alarms for midnight and we are going to all get up and sing and praise the Lord!"?

What if you set your own alarm and privately declared to God, "I have an appointment with you at midnight, Lord.  I'm just going to take some time to thank you for your goodness and your grace."?

Really?  Every one of us would probably say, "I love Him.  I worship Him.  I thank Him for all He has done.  But I can do that in my waking hours...I don't have to take time from my rest to do that.  After all, He is the one who created night for sleep, day for work, Sabbath for rest..."  Oh we have our logic down pat.

Song of Solomon, chapter 5

2 - I sleep, but my heart waketh: 

it is the voice of my beloved that knocketh, saying, 

Open to me, my sister, my love, my dove, my undefiled:...

3 - I have put off my coat; how shall I put it on?  

I have washed my feet; how shall I defile them?...

6 - I opened to my beloved; 

but my beloved had withdrawn himself, and was gone: 

my soul failed when he spake: 

I sought him, but I could not find him; 

I called him, but he gave me no answer.

My prayer:

"God consume all of me.  

Don't let me put You in a slot or a category, 

a season or a pattern.  

Disrupt my schedule with your Word.  

Don't let times or seasons or preconceived notions 

of what You delight in or require 

prevent me from 

missing your knock at my door."

© 2012 by Melani Brady Shock

psalm 119:61

61 - The bands of the wicked

have robbed me: 

but I have not

forgotten thy law.

"Robbed" in the original carries a connotation of a repeated action, one done over and over again.  "Forgotten" includes a leaving action because of forgetting something.

Fortifying our spiritual defenses to stand against temptation or to stand strong in the face of opposition, deception, disdain, and emotional or physical persecution is difficult but can be done.  We enter into a season of "wicked robbing" of our emotional, physical, and spiritual resources and we spiritually circle our wagons and emphatically declare that "we shall not be moved."

It's not the force, nor the hill to be taken, nor the cause that sometimes causes us to weaken...many times it is just simply the length of the siege.

Repeatedly...over and over again...unjustly accused...convictions disdained...scorned...ignored...whispers behind walls...stone faces...false rumors...character maligned...

"Robbed." Repeated action.  Over and over again.

James 1:2-"My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations!" 

His Word is enough!  Do not walk away from it.  Do not forget it.  Do not let discouragement steal it from your table.  Run toward it.  Dive into it.  Personalize every word, every line.  It was written to you, for you, for this hour.

Psalm 142:5-"Thou art my refuge and my portion in the land of the living..."

It is enough. 

© 2012 by Melani Brady Shock

psalm 119:61

61 - The bands of the wicked

have robbed me: 

but I have not

forgotten thy law.

"Robbed" in the original carries a connotation of a repeated action, one done over and over again.  "Forgotten" includes a leaving action because of forgetting something.

Fortifying our spiritual defenses to stand against temptation or to stand strong in the face of opposition, deception, disdain, and emotional or physical persecution is difficult but can be done.  We enter into a season of "wicked robbing" of our emotional, physical, and spiritual resources and we spiritually circle our wagons and emphatically declare that "we shall not be moved."

It's not the force, nor the hill to be taken, nor the cause that sometimes causes us to weaken...many times it is just simply the length of the siege.

Repeatedly...over and over again...unjustly accused...convictions disdained...scorned...ignored...whispers behind walls...stone faces...false rumors...character maligned...

"Robbed." Repeated action.  Over and over again.

James 1:2-"My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations!" 

His Word is enough!  Do not walk away from it.  Do not forget it.  Do not let discouragement steal it from your table.  Run toward it.  Dive into it.  Personalize every word, every line.  It was written to you, for you, for this hour.

Psalm 142:5-"Thou art my refuge and my portion in the land of the living..."

It is enough. 

© 2012 by Melani Brady Shock

psalm 119:60

60 - I made haste,

and delayed not to

keep thy commandments.

To be slow to keep the commands is really to break them.

~ Charles Spurgeon

To be slow to guard the commands is to ignore them.

~ Me

Hebrews 2:1-"Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed 

to the things which we have heard, 

lest at any time we should let them slip."

© 2012 by Melani Brady Shock

psalm 119:60

60 - I made haste,

and delayed not to

keep thy commandments.

To be slow to keep the commands is really to break them.

~ Charles Spurgeon

To be slow to guard the commands is to ignore them.

~ Me

Hebrews 2:1-"Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed 

to the things which we have heard, 

lest at any time we should let them slip."

© 2012 by Melani Brady Shock

psalm 119:59

59 - I thought on my ways, 

and turned my feet 

unto thy testimonies.

The power of thought.

God knew at Creation the power of the ability He was giving to man.  He knew the power of thought would be what separated man from angels and animals.  He knew the power of thought would draw humanity to Him and turn humanity from Him.

He knew from the beginning that thoughts become actions, actions become habits, habits become lifestyles.

If all would think about every single concept read in the Word, there would be much less "recycled repentance" about the same things.

The ways of all of us would be shifted if we would think--ponder silently--on His Word and turn our feet in the direction of those thoughts.

"Action without thought is folly and thought without action is sloth: 

to think carefully and then to act promptly 

is a happy combination."

~ Charles Spurgeon

© 2012 by Melani Brady Shock

psalm 119:59

59 - I thought on my ways, 

and turned my feet 

unto thy testimonies.

The power of thought.

God knew at Creation the power of the ability He was giving to man.  He knew the power of thought would be what separated man from angels and animals.  He knew the power of thought would draw humanity to Him and turn humanity from Him.

He knew from the beginning that thoughts become actions, actions become habits, habits become lifestyles.

If all would think about every single concept read in the Word, there would be much less "recycled repentance" about the same things.

The ways of all of us would be shifted if we would think--ponder silently--on His Word and turn our feet in the direction of those thoughts.

"Action without thought is folly and thought without action is sloth: 

to think carefully and then to act promptly 

is a happy combination."

~ Charles Spurgeon

© 2012 by Melani Brady Shock

psalm 119:58

58 - I entreated thy favor

with my whole heart:

be merciful unto me

according to thy word.

Prayer is chiefly a heart work.  

God heareth the heart without the mouth, 

but never heareth the mouth acceptably without the heart.

~ Walter Marshall

God and coffee.  The first-fruits of the day...just me and Him.  As my brain slowly comes from sleep into the conscious world, my first thoughts go to the chair, the Word, the time we are about to spend together.  I am eager, I am ready...I anticipate the minutes alone with Him before the day sounds intrude upon the stillness and the unrepentant wheel of busyness of what is every day of my life begins to turn, unrelenting, unapologetically, unbroken...steady as the clock...demanding all the minutes and all the energy I will be able to produce on this day.  

The coffee drips steadily into the cup and I want to say, "Hurry.  The morning is passing even now.  Don't steal our time."

Mug in hand, I settle into the chair with His Word, Him, and utensils to record the words and thoughts that will be born in my heart.  I open His Word and pray my morning request of asking Him to reveal His ways through our time together, and...

And my brain skips ahead.  The first appointment is at 10 am.  Set the phone alarm, so I won't lose track of time and be late.  

Read a line.  And my brain goes to the clothes in the dryer that were left in last night and should really be removed before they get so wrinkled they will need re-washing.

Read the same line.  And my brain goes to the health of my loved one...did they fare well during the night?...the dog is scratching at the door wanting back in...thoughts of what was to be prepared for the afternoon meeting crowd my brain...I hear footsteps upstairs and wonder if someone up there is an early bird today wanting to have a few minutes of conversation before they family splits into separate ways and...STOP!

I need thee, O I need thee.  

And I do what He has taught me to do...I pull a curtain around my mind, I entreat Him to shut out the noise of what the day will bring, and I come to Him with my heart.  Not my head, not my words, my heart.

And, when I do that, He is right there.  Every single time.  He pulls me into His presence...the stillness of the atmosphere becomes praise and worship that crescendos in my heart and mind to the exclusion of all else...and I am in His presence.

I have found that it is impossible to talk to Him with just my mouth or my mind.  I am reciting words.  I must allow my heart to speak.  And, in His mercy, He hears my heart and meets me in my humanity.

Every time.

© 2012 by Melani Brady Shock

psalm 119:58

58 - I entreated thy favor

with my whole heart:

be merciful unto me

according to thy word.

Prayer is chiefly a heart work.  

God heareth the heart without the mouth, 

but never heareth the mouth acceptably without the heart.

~ Walter Marshall

God and coffee.  The first-fruits of the day...just me and Him.  As my brain slowly comes from sleep into the conscious world, my first thoughts go to the chair, the Word, the time we are about to spend together.  I am eager, I am ready...I anticipate the minutes alone with Him before the day sounds intrude upon the stillness and the unrepentant wheel of busyness of what is every day of my life begins to turn, unrelenting, unapologetically, unbroken...steady as the clock...demanding all the minutes and all the energy I will be able to produce on this day.  

The coffee drips steadily into the cup and I want to say, "Hurry.  The morning is passing even now.  Don't steal our time."

Mug in hand, I settle into the chair with His Word, Him, and utensils to record the words and thoughts that will be born in my heart.  I open His Word and pray my morning request of asking Him to reveal His ways through our time together, and...

And my brain skips ahead.  The first appointment is at 10 am.  Set the phone alarm, so I won't lose track of time and be late.  

Read a line.  And my brain goes to the clothes in the dryer that were left in last night and should really be removed before they get so wrinkled they will need re-washing.

Read the same line.  And my brain goes to the health of my loved one...did they fare well during the night?...the dog is scratching at the door wanting back in...thoughts of what was to be prepared for the afternoon meeting crowd my brain...I hear footsteps upstairs and wonder if someone up there is an early bird today wanting to have a few minutes of conversation before they family splits into separate ways and...STOP!

I need thee, O I need thee.  

And I do what He has taught me to do...I pull a curtain around my mind, I entreat Him to shut out the noise of what the day will bring, and I come to Him with my heart.  Not my head, not my words, my heart.

And, when I do that, He is right there.  Every single time.  He pulls me into His presence...the stillness of the atmosphere becomes praise and worship that crescendos in my heart and mind to the exclusion of all else...and I am in His presence.

I have found that it is impossible to talk to Him with just my mouth or my mind.  I am reciting words.  I must allow my heart to speak.  And, in His mercy, He hears my heart and meets me in my humanity.

Every time.

© 2012 by Melani Brady Shock

psalm 119:57

57 - Thou art my portion, O Lord:

I have said that I would

keep thy words.


I would counsel every Christian to answer all temptations with this short saying, "The Lord is my portion."

O Christian, when satan or the world shall tempt thee with honors, answer, "The Lord is my portion";

when they shall tempt thee with riches, answer, "The Lord is my portion"; 

when they shall tempt thee with preferments, answer, "The Lord is my portion"; 

and when they shall tempt thee with the favors of great ones, answer, "The Lord is my portion":

yea, and when this persecuting world shall threaten thee with the loss of thy estate, answer, "The Lord is my portion":

and when they shall threaten thee with the loss of thy liberty, answer, "The Lord is my portion".

and when they shall threaten thee with the loss of friends, answer, "The Lord is my portion";

and when they shall threaten thee with the loss of life, answer, "The Lord is my portion."

O, sir, if satan should come to thee with an apple, as once he did to Eve, tell him that "the Lord is your portion";

or with a grape, as once he did to Noah, tell him that "the Lord is your portion";

or with a change or raiment, as once he did to Gehazi, tell him that "the Lord is your portion";

or with a wedge of gold, as once he did to Achan, tell him that "the Lord is your portion"; 

or with a bag of money, as once he did to Judas, tell him that "the Lord is your portion"; 

or with a crown, a kingdom, as once he did to Moses, tell him that "the Lord is your portion."

~Thomas Brooks

My challenge to you today:  Answer all of the temptations and issues that come your way with "The Lord is my portion!"

© 2012 by Melani Brady Shock

psalm 119:57

57 - Thou art my portion, O Lord:

I have said that I would

keep thy words.


I would counsel every Christian to answer all temptations with this short saying, "The Lord is my portion."

O Christian, when satan or the world shall tempt thee with honors, answer, "The Lord is my portion";

when they shall tempt thee with riches, answer, "The Lord is my portion"; 

when they shall tempt thee with preferments, answer, "The Lord is my portion"; 

and when they shall tempt thee with the favors of great ones, answer, "The Lord is my portion":

yea, and when this persecuting world shall threaten thee with the loss of thy estate, answer, "The Lord is my portion":

and when they shall threaten thee with the loss of thy liberty, answer, "The Lord is my portion".

and when they shall threaten thee with the loss of friends, answer, "The Lord is my portion";

and when they shall threaten thee with the loss of life, answer, "The Lord is my portion."

O, sir, if satan should come to thee with an apple, as once he did to Eve, tell him that "the Lord is your portion";

or with a grape, as once he did to Noah, tell him that "the Lord is your portion";

or with a change or raiment, as once he did to Gehazi, tell him that "the Lord is your portion";

or with a wedge of gold, as once he did to Achan, tell him that "the Lord is your portion"; 

or with a bag of money, as once he did to Judas, tell him that "the Lord is your portion"; 

or with a crown, a kingdom, as once he did to Moses, tell him that "the Lord is your portion."

~Thomas Brooks

My challenge to you today:  Answer all of the temptations and issues that come your way with "The Lord is my portion!"

© 2012 by Melani Brady Shock

psalm 119:56

56 - This I had,

because I kept thy precepts.

What is this that the Psalmist had?  Reading the previous verses of the "ZAIN" stanza gives us a glimpse of what this is.  Hope. Comfort. Steadfast confidence. But one of the greatest elements of this is found in verse 54 . . . "thy statutes have been my songs . . . "

Ah!  The beauty of the sound of this.  Hope, comfort, and confidence erupts into joyful, eternal, beautiful music.  The horrors of night's blackness were denied entrance into the soul as this music filled the mind, the heart, the awareness of the Psalmist on his bed.

This . . .

"When peace like a river attendeth my way

When sorrow like sea billows roll

Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say

It is well, it is well with my soul..."

This . . .


"You hold my every moment, you calm my raging seas
You walk with me through fire, you heal all my disease.
I trust in You, I trust in You.
I believe You're my healer, I believe You are all I need
I believe You're my portion, I believe You're more than enough for me.
Jesus, You're all I need."

This . . .


"Through it all...through it all
I've learned to trust in Jesus, I've learned to trust in God.
Through it all...through it all
I've learned to depend upon His Word."

And THIS I have because I have kept Thy precepts.

The reward of this is worth every day, every mile, every tear, every trial, every deep valley.  I will trade all of the riches of the world for this.

"I had the comfort of keeping thy law because I kept it.  

God's work is its own wages."

~Matthew Henry

© 2012 by Melani Brady Shock

psalm 119:56

56 - This I had,

because I kept thy precepts.

What is this that the Psalmist had?  Reading the previous verses of the "ZAIN" stanza gives us a glimpse of what this is.  Hope. Comfort. Steadfast confidence. But one of the greatest elements of this is found in verse 54 . . . "thy statutes have been my songs . . . "

Ah!  The beauty of the sound of this.  Hope, comfort, and confidence erupts into joyful, eternal, beautiful music.  The horrors of night's blackness were denied entrance into the soul as this music filled the mind, the heart, the awareness of the Psalmist on his bed.

This . . .

"When peace like a river attendeth my way

When sorrow like sea billows roll

Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say

It is well, it is well with my soul..."

This . . .


"You hold my every moment, you calm my raging seas
You walk with me through fire, you heal all my disease.
I trust in You, I trust in You.
I believe You're my healer, I believe You are all I need
I believe You're my portion, I believe You're more than enough for me.
Jesus, You're all I need."

This . . .


"Through it all...through it all
I've learned to trust in Jesus, I've learned to trust in God.
Through it all...through it all
I've learned to depend upon His Word."

And THIS I have because I have kept Thy precepts.

The reward of this is worth every day, every mile, every tear, every trial, every deep valley.  I will trade all of the riches of the world for this.

"I had the comfort of keeping thy law because I kept it.  

God's work is its own wages."

~Matthew Henry

© 2012 by Melani Brady Shock

psalm 119:55

55 - I have remembered thy name, 

O Lord, in the night, 

and have kept thy law.

If we do not keep the name of God in our memory, 

we shall not keep the law of God in our conduct.

~ Charles Spurgeon

Before the Messiah and the power of the name of Jesus was revealed to man, the thought of Yahweh was so strong it kept David from sleep.

Do I love Him that much?

Do I love His name that much?

Do I revere, respect, and fear Him that much?

As the actions of the day create the dreams of the night, 

so do the thoughts of the night create the deeds of the day.

~Charles Spurgeon

What keeps YOU from sleeping at night?

© 2012 by Melani Brady Shock

psalm 119:55

55 - I have remembered thy name, 

O Lord, in the night, 

and have kept thy law.

If we do not keep the name of God in our memory, 

we shall not keep the law of God in our conduct.

~ Charles Spurgeon

Before the Messiah and the power of the name of Jesus was revealed to man, the thought of Yahweh was so strong it kept David from sleep.

Do I love Him that much?

Do I love His name that much?

Do I revere, respect, and fear Him that much?

As the actions of the day create the dreams of the night, 

so do the thoughts of the night create the deeds of the day.

~Charles Spurgeon

What keeps YOU from sleeping at night?

© 2012 by Melani Brady Shock

psalm 119:54

54 - Thy statutes have been 

my songs 

in the house of my pilgrimage.

I guess it is just those who live in my house.  We just don't have it together.  The ones who find refuge at The Homeplace when night falls must be cut from a different cloth.  We probably need fixing in the worst sort of way.

"They" (the ones who live in other houses, other parsonages) have it all together.

They eat regularly at normal meal-time hours, They go to bed at a decent hour and sleep through the night, They have down time every day in which They read books, watch a dvd, do crafts, look through magazines, work in their yard, play games with friends and family, clean out closets and drawers and refrigerators, they help untangle the conglomeration of distraught humanity and emerge with peaceful, orderly solutions, and look great.

They are sad at times, yes, but They always manage to emerge from their trials a better person.

Those who inhabit my house do not seem to have those characteristics.  Mornings usually begin before the sun arrives, the minutes/hours that we set aside for God and coffee are usually fraught with interruptions and many times what is supposed to be sweet communion turns into dogged determination--I will spend time with Him even though bombs are exploding around me.

Then people--other people--They--enter our day.  And piles form and lists trail off and this and that becomes did. not. happen. and molehills become mountains and the smiles become fixed and the tasks become deep mud and the day starts coming to a close long after They have relaxed and connected with family and have had "me" time and are beginning to start the bedtime rituals. And those who inhabit my house are just beginning to walk through the door and attempt to shake off--just for a few hours--the smelly load of unpleasant and heavy that never seems to really go away.

And sometimes, a mournful wail begins deep in the soul that is bigger than us and the still, small Voice is lost in the background noise.

This life--this crazy life that we are so privileged to live--could destroy us.  Taking ownership of the solutions to diabolical messes which humanity expects us to fix could overwhelm us to the point of self-destruction.  The heavy, the smelly, the unpleasant could re-direct our goals, our steps, our direction toward the wide path with side roads of bitterness and anger and frustration and discouragement and depression.

BUT...

the faint whisper of a lilting melody drifts through the chimney..."thou art my dwelling place..." and we feel our soul lift a bit.

"Because thou has made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the Most High, thy habitation; There shall no evil befall thee..."

We are humming.  We catch a faint whiff of joy coming from the kitchen.

"...the Lord is my defense; and my God is the rock of my refuge..." The sound of laughter rings from the hall.

"Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O Lord, in the light of thy countenance..."

A hug, a smile, preparation for the morning ahead...

"My mercy will I keep for him for evermore, and my covenant shall stand fast with him..."

"Night, Mom!  Love you!"  Sweet peace, sweet serenity, sweet melodies...

This world is not my home, this house--The Homeplace--is not my final dwelling place.  This life is His, this day is His.  The air is filled with joy unspeakable and full of glory.

"Thy statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage."

All is well.

© 2012 by Melani Brady Shock

psalm 119:54

54 - Thy statutes have been 

my songs 

in the house of my pilgrimage.

I guess it is just those who live in my house.  We just don't have it together.  The ones who find refuge at The Homeplace when night falls must be cut from a different cloth.  We probably need fixing in the worst sort of way.

"They" (the ones who live in other houses, other parsonages) have it all together.

They eat regularly at normal meal-time hours, They go to bed at a decent hour and sleep through the night, They have down time every day in which They read books, watch a dvd, do crafts, look through magazines, work in their yard, play games with friends and family, clean out closets and drawers and refrigerators, they help untangle the conglomeration of distraught humanity and emerge with peaceful, orderly solutions, and look great.

They are sad at times, yes, but They always manage to emerge from their trials a better person.

Those who inhabit my house do not seem to have those characteristics.  Mornings usually begin before the sun arrives, the minutes/hours that we set aside for God and coffee are usually fraught with interruptions and many times what is supposed to be sweet communion turns into dogged determination--I will spend time with Him even though bombs are exploding around me.

Then people--other people--They--enter our day.  And piles form and lists trail off and this and that becomes did. not. happen. and molehills become mountains and the smiles become fixed and the tasks become deep mud and the day starts coming to a close long after They have relaxed and connected with family and have had "me" time and are beginning to start the bedtime rituals. And those who inhabit my house are just beginning to walk through the door and attempt to shake off--just for a few hours--the smelly load of unpleasant and heavy that never seems to really go away.

And sometimes, a mournful wail begins deep in the soul that is bigger than us and the still, small Voice is lost in the background noise.

This life--this crazy life that we are so privileged to live--could destroy us.  Taking ownership of the solutions to diabolical messes which humanity expects us to fix could overwhelm us to the point of self-destruction.  The heavy, the smelly, the unpleasant could re-direct our goals, our steps, our direction toward the wide path with side roads of bitterness and anger and frustration and discouragement and depression.

BUT...

the faint whisper of a lilting melody drifts through the chimney..."thou art my dwelling place..." and we feel our soul lift a bit.

"Because thou has made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the Most High, thy habitation; There shall no evil befall thee..."

We are humming.  We catch a faint whiff of joy coming from the kitchen.

"...the Lord is my defense; and my God is the rock of my refuge..." The sound of laughter rings from the hall.

"Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O Lord, in the light of thy countenance..."

A hug, a smile, preparation for the morning ahead...

"My mercy will I keep for him for evermore, and my covenant shall stand fast with him..."

"Night, Mom!  Love you!"  Sweet peace, sweet serenity, sweet melodies...

This world is not my home, this house--The Homeplace--is not my final dwelling place.  This life is His, this day is His.  The air is filled with joy unspeakable and full of glory.

"Thy statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage."

All is well.

© 2012 by Melani Brady Shock

psalm 119:53

53 - Horror hath taken hold upon me

because of the wicked 

that forsake thy law.

The original Hebrew word is "zalapah." It literally means "burning heat." Maybe that's why my grandma used to say, "That just 'burns me up!'" And, in moments of animated discussion with me, perhaps that's where my kids get the phrase, "Now don't go gettin' 'all fired up...'".  Perhaps "Southern English" is closer to original Hebrew than anyone realizes? Who knew? 

But this verse--verse 53--does indeed validate my indignation over certain issues to some extent.  In this day of tolerance and everybody-has-their-own-reality atmosphere, it is nice to know that even David got "all fired up" over the actions of others that forsook the law of God.  He was filled with burning indignation.  He was mad.  And mixed with his anger was a horror, a sadness, a desperation to defend his God mixed with grief for the fate of the wicked.

There are inappropriate responses to wickedness in which Christians should never indulge.  The love of God should motivate all we say and do.  Love for the lost and the wayward should color every action we take toward our fellow man.  But there also comes a time when we are to be "set for the defense of the gospel."  

Jesus Christ died to save us.  This is all the reason we need to be emphatically staunch in our defense of the His gospel.  And to pursue whatever measures possible to snatch the lost from their inevitable destination.

Passive tolerance of wickedness is not an option for the redeemed.

"Those who are the firmest believers in the eternal punishment of the wicked are the most grieved at their doom.  It is no proof of tenderness to shut one's eyes to the awful doom of the ungodly.  Compassion is far better shown in trying to save sinners than in trying to make things pleasant all round.  Oh that we were all more distressed as we think of the portion of the ungodly in the lake of fire!  The popular plan is to shut your eyes and forget all about it, or pretend to doubt it; but this is not the way of the faithful servant of God."

~ Charles Spurgeon

© 2012 by Melani Brady Shock

psalm 119:53

53 - Horror hath taken hold upon me

because of the wicked 

that forsake thy law.

The original Hebrew word is "zalapah." It literally means "burning heat." Maybe that's why my grandma used to say, "That just 'burns me up!'" And, in moments of animated discussion with me, perhaps that's where my kids get the phrase, "Now don't go gettin' 'all fired up...'".  Perhaps "Southern English" is closer to original Hebrew than anyone realizes? Who knew? 

But this verse--verse 53--does indeed validate my indignation over certain issues to some extent.  In this day of tolerance and everybody-has-their-own-reality atmosphere, it is nice to know that even David got "all fired up" over the actions of others that forsook the law of God.  He was filled with burning indignation.  He was mad.  And mixed with his anger was a horror, a sadness, a desperation to defend his God mixed with grief for the fate of the wicked.

There are inappropriate responses to wickedness in which Christians should never indulge.  The love of God should motivate all we say and do.  Love for the lost and the wayward should color every action we take toward our fellow man.  But there also comes a time when we are to be "set for the defense of the gospel."  

Jesus Christ died to save us.  This is all the reason we need to be emphatically staunch in our defense of the His gospel.  And to pursue whatever measures possible to snatch the lost from their inevitable destination.

Passive tolerance of wickedness is not an option for the redeemed.

"Those who are the firmest believers in the eternal punishment of the wicked are the most grieved at their doom.  It is no proof of tenderness to shut one's eyes to the awful doom of the ungodly.  Compassion is far better shown in trying to save sinners than in trying to make things pleasant all round.  Oh that we were all more distressed as we think of the portion of the ungodly in the lake of fire!  The popular plan is to shut your eyes and forget all about it, or pretend to doubt it; but this is not the way of the faithful servant of God."

~ Charles Spurgeon

© 2012 by Melani Brady Shock

psalm 119:52

52 - I remembered thy judgments of old, 

O Lord; 

and have comforted myself.

Memorials.  The circumstances of the present pointing to the power of the past.

The heavy, gray clouds block the sun on my street and my heart remembers the sunshine of days past when the miraculous power of God kept our family safe through the storm.

The face of my love that is worn by the duties of day after day, week after week is not the real face--the face behind the face.  The real face has no lines nor dark shadows--it is clear and firm, full of confidence in what God has done, is doing, and will do.

The financial report presents a dismal message and I remember the day of only a few dollars with which to buy gas and food for the month...and the unexpected piece of joy in the mailbox that carried us for three more weeks.

The electric bill brings worry and I remember my husband's story of his teenage faith that lay the bill on the bed and gave it to God and the money that unexpectedly came to pay it the very next day.

Pain slows the step and disillusion clouds the mind and I remember the oil on the shelf and the miraculous scenes of healing and power that have manifested in this very room.

Hopelessness crowds the heart and I remember the promises of the Logos--they sound in my ears and in my heart as the heaviness falls away.

And I am comforted.

"When we see no present display of the divine power, 

it is wise to fall back upon the records of former ages." 

~ Charles Spurgeon

© 2012 by Melani Brady Shock

psalm 119:52

52 - I remembered thy judgments of old, 

O Lord; 

and have comforted myself.

Memorials.  The circumstances of the present pointing to the power of the past.

The heavy, gray clouds block the sun on my street and my heart remembers the sunshine of days past when the miraculous power of God kept our family safe through the storm.

The face of my love that is worn by the duties of day after day, week after week is not the real face--the face behind the face.  The real face has no lines nor dark shadows--it is clear and firm, full of confidence in what God has done, is doing, and will do.

The financial report presents a dismal message and I remember the day of only a few dollars with which to buy gas and food for the month...and the unexpected piece of joy in the mailbox that carried us for three more weeks.

The electric bill brings worry and I remember my husband's story of his teenage faith that lay the bill on the bed and gave it to God and the money that unexpectedly came to pay it the very next day.

Pain slows the step and disillusion clouds the mind and I remember the oil on the shelf and the miraculous scenes of healing and power that have manifested in this very room.

Hopelessness crowds the heart and I remember the promises of the Logos--they sound in my ears and in my heart as the heaviness falls away.

And I am comforted.

"When we see no present display of the divine power, 

it is wise to fall back upon the records of former ages." 

~ Charles Spurgeon

© 2012 by Melani Brady Shock

psalm 119:51

51 - The proud have had me 

greatly in derision: 

yet have I not

declined from thy law.

"Proud men never love gracious men, and as they fear them they veil their fear under a pretended contempt.  In this case their hatred revealed itself in ridicule, and that ridicule was loud and long.  When they wanted sport they made sport of David because he was God's servant.

Men must have strange eyes to be able to see a farce in faith, and a comedy in holiness; yet it is sadly the case that men who are short of wit can generally provoke a broad grin by jesting at a saint.

Conceited sinners make footballs of godly men.

They call it roaring fun to caricature a faithful member of "The Holy Club": his methods of careful living are the material for their jokes about "the Methodist": and his hatred of sin sets their tongues wagging at long faced Puritanism, and straitlaced hypocrisy.

If David was greatly derided, we may not expect to escape the scorn of the ungodly.

There are hosts of proud men still upon the face of the earth, and if they find a believer in affliction they will be mean enough and cruel enough to make jests at his expense.

It is the nature of the son of the bondwoman to mock the child of the promise."

~ Charles Spurgeon

Negative peer pressure is not a new thing!

© 2012 by Melani Brady Shock

psalm 119:51

51 - The proud have had me 

greatly in derision: 

yet have I not

declined from thy law.

"Proud men never love gracious men, and as they fear them they veil their fear under a pretended contempt.  In this case their hatred revealed itself in ridicule, and that ridicule was loud and long.  When they wanted sport they made sport of David because he was God's servant.

Men must have strange eyes to be able to see a farce in faith, and a comedy in holiness; yet it is sadly the case that men who are short of wit can generally provoke a broad grin by jesting at a saint.

Conceited sinners make footballs of godly men.

They call it roaring fun to caricature a faithful member of "The Holy Club": his methods of careful living are the material for their jokes about "the Methodist": and his hatred of sin sets their tongues wagging at long faced Puritanism, and straitlaced hypocrisy.

If David was greatly derided, we may not expect to escape the scorn of the ungodly.

There are hosts of proud men still upon the face of the earth, and if they find a believer in affliction they will be mean enough and cruel enough to make jests at his expense.

It is the nature of the son of the bondwoman to mock the child of the promise."

~ Charles Spurgeon

Negative peer pressure is not a new thing!

© 2012 by Melani Brady Shock

psalm 119:50

50 - This is my comfort in my affliction:

for thy word

hath quickened me.

Laura Story understands verse 50.  She and Martin were high school sweethearts with a brilliant future ahead.  Laura was an award-winning songwriter who wrote the #1 hit "Indescribable" recorded by Chris Tomlin in 2004.  In 2005, she married her handsome, athletic sweetheart and began working in music and women's ministry in a mega-church in the Atlanta, Georgia area. And then, late in 2006, an aggressive, invasive brain tumor invaded her husband's head and their world and the brilliance of the future began to dim.

Surgery...waiting...life hanging in the balance...ventilators...questions...fear...fighting for life...struggle...prayer...begging God...then...finally...slow indications of beginning recovery...and...

The athlete and the talented songwriter.  Love that had waited throughout high school and college and finally became one only two short years earlier.  Surely God would heal him, right?

Sometimes God takes another route than the one we feel He should take.  Sometimes He has another answer.  

Martin's surgery was successful, but the losses have been enormous.  

Significant vision was lost.  But the most painful loss was his memory.  The high school years, the joy of discovery, the impatience of waiting before wedding, the exhilaration of athletic and musical achievement awards, the wonder of marriage and his life's love somehow got buried deep within the recesses of the brain's complicated processes and Laura was a nice girl with whom he lived but with whom he no longer shared a history.

I cannot imagine that kind of pain.

"Please, God!"  "I have faith that You will, God."  "Do you remember us, God?"  "Where are you, God?"

This is my comfort in my affliction...

It's hard to take the next breath when you feel as if life is ebbing away.

...for thy word hath quickened me.  

Quickened.  King James for "given me life."

Somehow...through the pain--the shadows--the fear...Laura found hope beneath the questions.  She found comfort in the affliction.  She was quickened in the Pages...

Here is what she wrote:  (Click here to listen...)

We pray for blessings, we pray for peace

Comfort for family, protection while we sleep

We pray for healing, for prosperity

We pray Your mighty hand to ease our suffering

And all the while, You hear each spoken need

Yet love us way too much to give us lesser things.

Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops

What if Your healing comes through tears

What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You're near

What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise?

We pray for wisdom, Your voice to hear

And we cry in anger when we cannot feel you near

We doubt your goodness, we doubt your love

As if each promise from Your Word is not enough

And all the while, You hear each desperate plea

And long that we'd have faith to believe

When friends betray us

When darkness seems to win, we know

That pain reminds this heart

That this is not, this is not our home...

What if my greatest disappointments,

Or the aching of this life,

Is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can't satisfy.

What if trials of this life,

The rain, the storms, the hardest nights

Are your mercies in disguise?

© 2012 by Melani Brady Shock

psalm 119:50

50 - This is my comfort in my affliction:

for thy word

hath quickened me.

Laura Story understands verse 50.  She and Martin were high school sweethearts with a brilliant future ahead.  Laura was an award-winning songwriter who wrote the #1 hit "Indescribable" recorded by Chris Tomlin in 2004.  In 2005, she married her handsome, athletic sweetheart and began working in music and women's ministry in a mega-church in the Atlanta, Georgia area. And then, late in 2006, an aggressive, invasive brain tumor invaded her husband's head and their world and the brilliance of the future began to dim.

Surgery...waiting...life hanging in the balance...ventilators...questions...fear...fighting for life...struggle...prayer...begging God...then...finally...slow indications of beginning recovery...and...

The athlete and the talented songwriter.  Love that had waited throughout high school and college and finally became one only two short years earlier.  Surely God would heal him, right?

Sometimes God takes another route than the one we feel He should take.  Sometimes He has another answer.  

Martin's surgery was successful, but the losses have been enormous.  

Significant vision was lost.  But the most painful loss was his memory.  The high school years, the joy of discovery, the impatience of waiting before wedding, the exhilaration of athletic and musical achievement awards, the wonder of marriage and his life's love somehow got buried deep within the recesses of the brain's complicated processes and Laura was a nice girl with whom he lived but with whom he no longer shared a history.

I cannot imagine that kind of pain.

"Please, God!"  "I have faith that You will, God."  "Do you remember us, God?"  "Where are you, God?"

This is my comfort in my affliction...

It's hard to take the next breath when you feel as if life is ebbing away.

...for thy word hath quickened me.  

Quickened.  King James for "given me life."

Somehow...through the pain--the shadows--the fear...Laura found hope beneath the questions.  She found comfort in the affliction.  She was quickened in the Pages...

Here is what she wrote:  (Click here to listen...)

We pray for blessings, we pray for peace

Comfort for family, protection while we sleep

We pray for healing, for prosperity

We pray Your mighty hand to ease our suffering

And all the while, You hear each spoken need

Yet love us way too much to give us lesser things.

Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops

What if Your healing comes through tears

What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You're near

What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise?

We pray for wisdom, Your voice to hear

And we cry in anger when we cannot feel you near

We doubt your goodness, we doubt your love

As if each promise from Your Word is not enough

And all the while, You hear each desperate plea

And long that we'd have faith to believe

When friends betray us

When darkness seems to win, we know

That pain reminds this heart

That this is not, this is not our home...

What if my greatest disappointments,

Or the aching of this life,

Is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can't satisfy.

What if trials of this life,

The rain, the storms, the hardest nights

Are your mercies in disguise?

© 2012 by Melani Brady Shock

psalm 119:49

49 - Remember the word

unto thy servant,

upon which thou

hast caused me to hope.

"When we hear any promise in the word of God, let us turn it into a prayer.  
God's promises are his bonds! ~Richard Sibbes

I ask for nothing new, only that the old be fulfilled!  Everything we have ever needed, need now, or will need has already been spoken.  All we need to do is climb into the Pages and pull them down over us...bury ourselves in them...breathe them...eat them...speak them.

Hope springs eternal from this Logos--this Life.

Speak today's Word to you aloud wherever you are.  Let the sound waves enter your atmosphere and change the very air that you are breathing at this moment.

Turn to Psalm 91 and read it out loud.  HE is for you--He has already spoken it!

Because the Word breathes, I can bury myself in its comfort.  My downcast, dreary day has received buoyant, joyful HOPE!  O cover me!

[The Lord] does not say, 

"remember my service to thee," 

but "thy word to me." 

~ Charles Spurgeon

© 2012 by Melani Brady Shock

psalm 119:49

49 - Remember the word

unto thy servant,

upon which thou

hast caused me to hope.

"When we hear any promise in the word of God, let us turn it into a prayer.  
God's promises are his bonds! ~Richard Sibbes

I ask for nothing new, only that the old be fulfilled!  Everything we have ever needed, need now, or will need has already been spoken.  All we need to do is climb into the Pages and pull them down over us...bury ourselves in them...breathe them...eat them...speak them.

Hope springs eternal from this Logos--this Life.

Speak today's Word to you aloud wherever you are.  Let the sound waves enter your atmosphere and change the very air that you are breathing at this moment.

Turn to Psalm 91 and read it out loud.  HE is for you--He has already spoken it!

Because the Word breathes, I can bury myself in its comfort.  My downcast, dreary day has received buoyant, joyful HOPE!  O cover me!

[The Lord] does not say, 

"remember my service to thee," 

but "thy word to me." 

~ Charles Spurgeon

© 2012 by Melani Brady Shock

psalm 119:48

48 - My hands also will I lift up 

unto thy commandments, 

which I have loved; 

and I will meditate 

in thy statutes."

Postures of worship matter to God.  The Bible lists many different postures used by many different people for many different approaches to the throne.  The following are a few of the most mentioned Biblical postures:

Kneeling and bowing down -- seems to indicate a posture of worship used when worshipping in a corporate setting (Psalm 95:6, Romans 14:11, Philippians 2:10)

Lying prostrate -- indicates a posture of supplication and intercession (Deut. 9:18, Ezekiel 9:8)

Standing -- this posture indicates prayer in the form of petition, blessing, etc. It is a posture that indicates attention, readiness, and respect. (1 Sam 1:26, Gen 10:22, Neh 9:5, Mark 11:25, Rev 7:9)

Clapping -- indicates a position of praise (Psalm 47:1)

Shouting -- also indicates a position of praise and rejoicing (Psalm 71:23, Psalm 32:11, Isa 12:6)

Lifting hands -- indicates a posture used in both praise and supplication (Psalm 28:2--supplication, Psalm 63:3--praise, Psalm 134:1--praise, Lam 3:41--supplication)

Dancing -- Dancing before the Lord is a sign of rejoicing in Him. (Jeremiah 31:4, Psalm 30:11, Psalm 149:3)

Meditation -- this posture involves stillness of the body while allowing the Word of God to penetrate your heart, soul, and mind.

Different postures may be used with different forms of prayer, worship, and praise; however, meditation may encompass all of them.  

Look up the scriptures listed above and mark them.  Also search for more scriptures with the same posture of worship listed.  As you go through your prayer time, your day, your church time, and anytime you pray, worship, or praise, remember the Biblical posture associated with it.  

And also remember that God loves the smallest details.

© 2012 by Melani Brady Shock

psalm 119:48

48 - My hands also will I lift up 

unto thy commandments, 

which I have loved; 

and I will meditate 

in thy statutes."

Postures of worship matter to God.  The Bible lists many different postures used by many different people for many different approaches to the throne.  The following are a few of the most mentioned Biblical postures:

Kneeling and bowing down -- seems to indicate a posture of worship used when worshipping in a corporate setting (Psalm 95:6, Romans 14:11, Philippians 2:10)

Lying prostrate -- indicates a posture of supplication and intercession (Deut. 9:18, Ezekiel 9:8)

Standing -- this posture indicates prayer in the form of petition, blessing, etc. It is a posture that indicates attention, readiness, and respect. (1 Sam 1:26, Gen 10:22, Neh 9:5, Mark 11:25, Rev 7:9)

Clapping -- indicates a position of praise (Psalm 47:1)

Shouting -- also indicates a position of praise and rejoicing (Psalm 71:23, Psalm 32:11, Isa 12:6)

Lifting hands -- indicates a posture used in both praise and supplication (Psalm 28:2--supplication, Psalm 63:3--praise, Psalm 134:1--praise, Lam 3:41--supplication)

Dancing -- Dancing before the Lord is a sign of rejoicing in Him. (Jeremiah 31:4, Psalm 30:11, Psalm 149:3)

Meditation -- this posture involves stillness of the body while allowing the Word of God to penetrate your heart, soul, and mind.

Different postures may be used with different forms of prayer, worship, and praise; however, meditation may encompass all of them.  

Look up the scriptures listed above and mark them.  Also search for more scriptures with the same posture of worship listed.  As you go through your prayer time, your day, your church time, and anytime you pray, worship, or praise, remember the Biblical posture associated with it.  

And also remember that God loves the smallest details.

© 2012 by Melani Brady Shock