Revive Me According to Your Lovingkindness

[S] Psalm 119:87-88 --
    ⁸⁷They almost destroyed me on earth,
         But as for me, I did not forsake Your precepts.
    ⁸⁸Revive me according to Your lovingkindness,
         So that I may keep the testimony of Your mouth.

[O] The psalmist's expression of standing firm while facing challenges in life is very encouraging, refreshing and strengthening for me.  After voicing his desire to stand firm, he quickly requests God to revive him for the purpose of testifying His lovingkindness to others.  I can certainly do my part to keep my faith and stand firm against the challenges of life, but in the end it's God's sustaining power that will revive me.  As I wrap up this year 2010, part of me is relating to this author where I feel like to I'm almost destroyed with the exhaustion of carrying on my responsibilities in all aspects of my life, especially in carrying on the small group ministry at church.  At my workplace, my years of experience sustains me to carry on the tasks at hand.  At home it's a growing relationship with my family as we adjust to the turns of life together; it's challenging and at times frustrating but deep inside there is an assurance that walking along faithfully will carry us through these challenging phases.  However in the small group ministry I feel the most resistance from the enemy because God is on the move and we're right in the middle of that "storm."  It's very exciting moment, but comes with that territory is the beating from all the darts being shot at us.  Revive me according to Your lovingkindeness!

[A] Memorize v. 88 and claim it for my own life.

[P] Dear Father, revive me from the beaten state of my mind.  As I heard the message today from our pastor that as 2011 begins it's about making the journey I'll be making with other community members towards the "manger" to worship Him is what matters so please revive me to carry on with this tough, long, and sacrificial journey.  In Jesus' name.  Amen.