He’s our shield and deliverer

With the forces of good and evil always at play in the battlefield of life, it’s comforting to know we have an advocate on our side. It’s no ordinary comrade or friend who may have our back. It’s the Alpha and the Omega, the Rock of Ages, the Name Above All Names. God is our fortress and our strength and a very present help in times of trouble.

The roads we travel aren’t always smooth, and the rough spots can lead us astray as we navigate our way around life. But God’s word tells us that for those who love him and who are called according to his purpose, everything  will work together for good. He has a plan and purpose for everything. Not everything is good, but…

All things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to his purpose” ~ Romans 8:28.

The Almighty God and Creator of the universe wants to have a personal one-on-one with each of us. He wants to be our shield and deliverer. What better way to go than to yield our lives to Him—our creator—to find the ultimate direction. Like a father, he will withhold no good thing from his children. Even above and beyond the most sophisticated GPS system, God knows the better route to go.

Though we may encounter tribulation and trials, one after the other, the wise man sees beyond the storms of life, knowing God is in the midst of every suffering and is not immune to the cares and worries of those who belong to him. His strength will shield and sustain us—always. We serve an awesome God.

The omnipotence of God

Where can I go from your Spirit?  Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. ~ Psalm 139:7-10

 God is everywhere. To view creation and say that a higher being didn’t have a hand in it is like saying a book wrote itself using an alphabet as its guide. God determines the position of the moon and stars…our hearts beat at his command… he knows the number of hairs on our heads…he’s in our every breath.

Some deny the existence of God because of pain and suffering. They may attribute their struggles to a lack of godly concern or may feel abandoned by God and so now deny that he is even there. After all, how could a just God allow such travesty? But did God create the travesty? Is he to blame?

The unbelieving may not be aware that God has already touched their lives—every day. In countless ways, he’s healed, protected, and preserved them. Please, Lord, allow our unsaved friends and family to have clear eyesight to see your hand upon their lives and to see their cups as half full rather than half empty.

We understand this world will never completely satisfy. We know there can be no complete fulfillment here, but Christ did not come to do away with suffering; he came to touch our lives with his presence…to bind our wounds and make us completely whole—in him. Thank you, Jesus, for coming to earth to redeem man from sin and to lead the way to our true home forever in heaven.

How beautiful to be touched by the saving grace of Jesus.

 

How great is our God!

Who can measure the greatness of God? Is there a yardstick big enough?

When Jesus came to earth the first time, he came as a peaceful. loving servant. He healed the sick and caused the blind to see. The miracles he performed drew many, but the essence of who he was became an offense to some, and so he was hung to die. Yet the greatness of Christ did not let death claim him. He had the victory because he was God!

When the actual greatness of God becomes manifest, it’s jaw dropping to fathom just how great he is…even above our imagination. That we could be so loved by him is more than great. There are no words that can truly describe our Savior.

Right now, we see merely a glimpse of his true glory. When we see him face-to-face, his greatness will be like nothing we’ve every known or could ever fathom while here on earth. Maranatha, Jesus!

Great is the Lord and abundant in power; His understanding is above measure ~ Psalm 147:5

 

Mount up with wings as an eagle

Who likes to wait? In this jet-set world, it seems like we’re in a hurry with no time to pause. Traffic lights slow us down; same for grocery lines, doctor’s office visits, lines at the bank… Ironically, there’s no time for waiting. Waiting for the Lord to answer prayers can sometimes feel interminable. Lord, please… Where are you? Meanwhile, we feel our faith waning in the waiting.

When facing an impasse in life, it might be fun to hitch a ride on the wings of an eagle and just sore ahead of our problems. Whether a road delay or a problem so insurmountable that we want to escape it, flying away on this awesome creature would be ideal.

It’s been said that an eagle soars upward toward the sun probably higher than any other bird. When a storm is brewing, an eagle can sense it. Rather than becoming spooked by the incoming storm or frustrated, it patiently waits for the wind to come and then uses it to fly high and above the storm. It often lives to an old age and, after shedding its feathers, grows new ones.

It’s like that for the believer also. When we’re born again into a new life with Christ, we are essentially new creatures. Metaphorically, we’ve shed our old feathers and now bear new ones.

As we wait upon the Lord, it’s a balance of trust and expectation. By his word, we are assured that like the stately eagle, our strength will be renewed. His grace and power will sustain us all the way to heaven. This kind of waiting is well worth the wait.

Safe in His arms

The Lord promises his children that he will never leave them nor forsake them. It’s amazing that as small and insignificant as we sometimes feel, each of us is truly significant above and beyond measure in the eyes of our Creator, and his love for us will continue throughout eternity.

The Lord is always near to us and available for an early morning meeting or a late-night chat, as well as any time in between.  He can speak to us in various ways—through his Word and even in our dreams. Often, his communication comes in that still, small voice or prompting. It can come when we are alone or even in a crowd.

 It’s not always easy to hear his voice in a world filled with continual chatter and noise. With all that goes on in our lives, being still from all of the distractions is sometimes hard to come by.

To be still before the Lord and witness his presence is not always a physical position or something to do in the midst of a silent moment. To be still also means to let your ways yield unto his…to mentally put everything else aside and let the Holy Spirit lead us…carry us…guide us.

Even to your old age I will be the same, and even to your graying years I will bear you! I have done it, and I will carry you; and I will bear you, and I will deliver you ~ Isaiah 46:4.