Joyce chatting after serviceJoyce Lee

 

The weather during the morning of Friday Jan 7th was not too pleasant and it suited the way I felt, depressed. For several years, one health problem after another had brought me low, and I said to no one in particular "It just seems as if I'm in a prison of illness that I can't get out of." All the tablets seemed to have unwanted side effects that often affected the strength even to go to church, never mind the shopping.

Friday is the day we have a prayer meeting in the George Street Centre but yet again I hadn’t the energy to go. I decided to sit quietly, read the Word and pray. Generally the Psalms are quite uplifting so I opened the Bible at Psalm 142. David complains bitterly about his problems.  How apt, it described just the way I felt. Then I came to verse 7 “Set me free from my prison that I will praise your name”. I carried on reading the next four Psalms and my spirit lifted. “The Lord sets prisoners free. the Lord gives sight to the blind. The Lord lifts up those bowed down”. How did the Lord guide me to such texts just when I needed them most? My day certainly turned round for the better.

God didn’t leave it at that, for on the Sunday morning I picked up the Bible and was prompted to read Isaiah 42. There again in verse 7 it speaks of opening the eyes of the blind, freeing captives from prison and releasing from the dungeon those who sit in darkness. What wonderful reassurance from the Lord. I cannot wait to see the way God is going to continue to bless me in His word and I wait to see the fulfilment of these texts. He will strengthen me to Praise Him each and every day.