comfort for my ache

I just got an email this morning me telling me I had not passed a language proficiency exam required for my doctorate. It was the second time I had not passed it.

I'm feeling low. Real low. Almost as low as the first time I didn't pass it.

I need to find my comfort and encouragement in Jesus.

Psalm 62:1-2, 5-8, 11-12

1 My soul finds rest in God alone;
my salvation comes from him.

2 He alone is my rock and my salvation;
he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.

...

5 Find rest, O my soul, in God alone;
my hope comes from him.

6 He alone is my rock and my salvation;
he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.

7 My salvation and my honor depend on God;
he is my mighty rock, my refuge.

8 Trust in him at all times, O people;
pour out your hearts to him,
for God is our refuge.

...

11 One thing God has spoken,
two things have I heard:
that you, O God, are strong,

12 and that you, O Lord, are loving.
Surely you will reward each person
according to what he has done.

I'm honestly not feeling "rest" in Him, and I do feel quite "shaken" right now. But I'm trying to look past what I'm feeling right now. I'm trying to find comfort for the ache I feel in Him who created me, Him who knows me best, the God who called me to this point, this place, this time.

But it's hard. But I have no choice, for who else has the words of life, but the One who gives me life.

"I love You, Lord, and I life my voice.
To worship You, O my soul, rejoice.
Take joy, my King, in what You hear.
May it be a sweet, sweet sound, in Your ear." (Keith Green)

Psalm 63:1-8 (NIV)

This was the Scripture text for worship and the sermon at North Suburban E-Free Church in Deerfield, IL, where I worshipped this morning. I am indebted to the pastor for sharing this message with us. I am reminded that my heart needs to feast on the Lord; that I need to not find things to preoccupy myself. Rather, I need to spend time with the One who created me and knows me best. I need to find my satisfaction in the presence and fellowship with the Triune God who has revealed Himself in Jesus Christ. May it be so ... to God's glory.

Psalm 63:1-8

1 O God, you are my God,
earnestly I seek you;
my soul thirsts for you,
my body longs for you,
in a dry and weary land
where there is no water.

2 I have seen you in the sanctuary
and beheld your power and your glory.

3 Because your love is better than life,
my lips will glorify you.

4 I will praise you as long as I live,
in your name I will lift up my hands.

5 My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods;
with singing lips my mouth will praise you.

6 On my bed I remember you;
I think of you through the watches of the night.

7 Because you are my help,
I sing in the shadow of your wings.

8 My soul clings to you;
your right hand upholds me.