And the things of this world will grow strangely dim...
And the things of this world will grow strangely dim....
So what DO you do when the well people don't come back to finish the job?!
What DO you do when the container that had your name on it, is sold out from under your nose?!
What DO you do when all hell has been unleashed against you in an attempt to lure you into doubting what GOD has declared?! What DO you do when things are taking way longer than you ever imagined, when the body is weak and the heart is heavy!?!?
O Lord, look at how many rise up against me!!! Look at how the enemy has come out in full force!!! Some are even saying, 'GOD won't deliver him!!!!!' ~ Psalm 3:1, 2
When David penned these words, his own son was leading a revolt against him. Samuel writes that the hearts of his men had turned against him, and that as he ran barefoot into the desert, his enemies were shouting that this was all God's way of punishing him for taking the throne away from Saul.
Of course it was all lies, but the enemies voice can be often louder than the truth - so David cries out, "O Lord, do you see what's happening?!?! Do you hear what they're saying?!" and into that despair he remembers what is true....
BUT YOU, my Lord, are a SHIELD around me...You surround me with your presence and lift my head... ~ Psalm 3:3
In the original Hebrew text - "You are a shield around me" - is actually translated "YOU ARE MY TAKER" - which paints a picture of God taking us INTO Himself and HIDING US IN HIM!!
Our GOD doesn't just stand in front of us and stand behind us - HE TAKES US INTO HIMSELF!!! And you can't be any more shielded or surrounded than that!!!!
SO - what do we do when things don't go as planned or when it feels like we are wielding our swords in cement?!?!!
WE REMEMBER WHAT IS TRUE!!!!
And as we do that - THE VERY HAND OF GOD takes our chin and lifts our eyes in His direction - and as soon as our gaze is fixed back on HIM - everything else just fades away.....
No matter what yuck you're in the middle of today - may you remember what is true - may you focus shift from the turmoil around you to His beautiful face - may His truth be louder than the enemies lies - may His hope swallow up despair - so that once again, you will be persuaded to believe in what you do not see and be certain of what you hope for!!!
"To The Lord we cry aloud, because WE KNOW that He WILL answer us!! We will not fear the tens of thousands drawn up against us on every side because from OUR Lord comes deliverance and abundant blessing!!!!!!! So arise O LORD!!! DO WHAT YOU'VE PROMISED!!! Strike our enemy down into the dust!!!!!!" ~ Psalm 3:4-8
Looking at His face,
M & S