My Kidney Rejoices

Psalm 16:8-11 (ESV)

8 I have set the Lord always before me;

    because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.

9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being[a] rejoices;

    my flesh also dwells secure.

10 For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol,

    or let your holy one see corruption.

11 You make known to me the path of life;

    in your presence there is fullness of joy;

    at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Sara, age 7, had recently memorized Psalm 23. She asked her mom, “Why is your friend Shirley going to follow me around for my entire life?” Of course, she was referring to Psalm 23:6, “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life…” I am pretty sure her mom had a belly laugh at that comment!

Have you ever noticed that laughter is designed for relationship? It’s often a lot more fun to laugh and experience joy with others, rather than while we are alone. In the verses we read today, the psalmist declares God to be his guide. God goes before him and serves as his guide. He guides the psalmist along a secure path. Due to this security, he can declare, “I will not be shaken.”

He can sing out with a heart that is glad and tongue that rejoices! The literal word for “tongue” here is “kidney.” In that culture, the kidneys represented the inner indicators of emotion. No matter how it’s translated, the psalmist was filled with joy because He was secure in His God. He knows God will not abandon him and will continue leading him along a secure path. This results in great joy!

Where do you find your security? Can you say along with the psalmist that your eyes are always on the Lord and you will not be shaken? Can you say that God fills you with joy? When we have God in our lives, do those insecurities and fears melt away? No, but we are empowered to find joy as we walk with Him through the hard times of life.

It is through the relationship with God that we find true joy!

Dear Lord, thank You for being the author of real joy. Help us to put our security in You and enjoy the Joy that You give. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

The sacrifice

Hebrews 10:10 (ESV)

 And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

In 1997, at age 49, Oklahoma State Football Coach Bob Simmons’ kidneys were failing. He needed a new kidney but the wait for a donor organ averaged 2 years.

One afternoon in November 1997, Linda, his wife laid on her bed, praying for guidance. An answer came to her; she would give Bob one of her kidneys. Bob resisted, but Linda kept pushing the idea. She was a suitable match. Being a registered nurse for 25 years, she knew that there is a risk that things could go wrong whenever surgery of any kind in involved. She wanted so much to keep Bob’s dream of coaching and of course her husband alive.

Linda said this “I was trying to get him to understand this was a gift from God.”

Bob finally gave in and on the morning of March 10, 1998 as both husband and wife were being prepped for the procedure, Linda reached over and told Bob everything would be fine. Her heart was “celebrating” she says, pumping wildly, “because I knew the miracle was at hand.”

Six days after the surgery Bob returned to practice. But what struck outsiders was the sacrifice of Linda. It took months before she recovered. When Bob first addressed the team after the surgery, he couldn’t describe Linda’s act without breaking into tears.

Simmons said: “"This is about a loving gift from my wife and the glory goes to God," he said.” Now, more than ever, I am reminded of Luke chapter one, verse 37 that says 'For nothing is impossible with God.'"

Christ’s sacrifice on the Cross has given us new life in Him.

Dear Lord, we praise You for Your sacrifice that has given us new life in You. This Easter help us not forget the reason we celebrate. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.