Highs and Lows (Psalm 16:1-3)

Today's scripture: Psalm 16:1-3

The last few weeks have been a mix of highs (a wonderful 30^th anniversary trip and being a part of our niece’s wedding) and lows (a couple of significant health flare-ups). All—blessings and pain—caused my soul to say to the Lord, "You are my Lord."

I know I've said this before, but I honestly don't know how people survive without a personal relationship with the one true God. Whom do they thank when things go right? And to whom do they run when things go wrong?

As I was mediating on today's verses, I looked at a couple of other paraphrases and translations. I was particularly taken with both The Message and Contemporary English Version's take on verses 1-2:

Keep me safe, O God,I’ve run for dear life to you.I say to God, “Be my Lord!”Without you, nothing makes sense. (MSG)
Protect me, Lord God!I run to you for safety,and I have said,"Only you are my Lord!Every good thing I haveis a gift from you.” (CEV)

Because I know that my loving, gracious, merciful God is in control of my highest highs and lowest lows, I can trust Him to keep me safe and protect me. I can be confident that everything has a purpose.

Indeed, with Him, I can rejoice on the mountaintop and seek refuge in Him in the valleys ... for without Him, nothing does make sense.