Today's scripture: Psalm 23:5
Sometimes, it seems that no matter how kind we are, no matter how much we love others, we still have
enemies. Some people just won’t like us. In fact, some people may want to bring
us down. We hear that someone has maligned us or gossiped about us. Or a
rumor—blatantly untrue—comes to our attention.
Yet, even if we’re surrounded by enemies, we’re not alone. Our Shepherd is with
us, protecting us and reminding us of how loved we are, how beautiful we are in
His sight.
And when we’re hurting, He pours oil over us. In ancient times, shepherds would
pour oil on the wounds of their sheep. Our Shepherd does the same for us. He
soothes our pain with His grace and mercy.
And because of all He does for us—protecting us, providing for us, healing
us—our “cups” of joy overflow.
Showing posts with label protection. Show all posts
Showing posts with label protection. Show all posts
Monday, August 20, 2018
Wednesday, March 22, 2017
Hope in God's Word (Psalm 119:114)
Today’s
scripture: Psalm 119:114
Have you ever read a verse in the Bible, one that you may have read many times, and it touches you in a new and unique way?
I love that. It’s one of my most favorite things about God’s word.
I was reading through the psalms not too long ago and came across this verse that I’ve read many times. It’s been a favorite of mine for a while, and I love to remember that I can hope in God’s word.
But this time, this wonderful psalm showed me two things:
God is my hiding place, a place of refuge, a place where I can hide when I’m scared or lonely or tired. I picture myself crawling up on my Abba’s lap and resting in His arms. What an amazing thought!
God is also my shield, my protector, my strength. He will stand before me when the enemy strikes. When the arrows are flying about me, I can hide behind Him and His word.
Knowing God and understanding His love for me gives me hope.
Knowing that He is there to offer a place of refuge and protection gives me hope.
Spend some time rereading a couple of your favorite verses, and ask God to reveal new truths to your heart. Find hope in His words to you.
Have you ever read a verse in the Bible, one that you may have read many times, and it touches you in a new and unique way?
I love that. It’s one of my most favorite things about God’s word.
I was reading through the psalms not too long ago and came across this verse that I’ve read many times. It’s been a favorite of mine for a while, and I love to remember that I can hope in God’s word.
But this time, this wonderful psalm showed me two things:
God is my hiding place, a place of refuge, a place where I can hide when I’m scared or lonely or tired. I picture myself crawling up on my Abba’s lap and resting in His arms. What an amazing thought!
God is also my shield, my protector, my strength. He will stand before me when the enemy strikes. When the arrows are flying about me, I can hide behind Him and His word.
Knowing God and understanding His love for me gives me hope.
Knowing that He is there to offer a place of refuge and protection gives me hope.
Spend some time rereading a couple of your favorite verses, and ask God to reveal new truths to your heart. Find hope in His words to you.
Thursday, September 08, 2016
A Living Hope (1 Peter 1:1-5)
Today’s scripture: 1 Peter 1:1-5
Well … we’ve spent well over a year and a half going through most of Paul’s epistles … It’s been quite a journey, and I pray you have been blessed. For the next few weeks, we’re going to visit the epistles from Peter. And may I pray, as Peter prayed: May grace and peace be yours in the fullest measure!
We start our review of 1 Peter with hope—a living hope. We who follow Christ, who have personal relationships with Him, have been offered a great mercy from our Lord God.
We are promised an inheritance—imperishable and undefiled—in heaven.
We are promised protection—by the power of God through faith—here on earth.
When I read verses like this, I get homesick. I completely resonate with Paul’s words to the Philippians: “For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better” (Phil. 1:23).
It gives me a hope I can live with on earth to know one day the cares and sufferings I experience now won’t even be a memory. I’ll be in the presence of the triune God!
Now, that’s a hope I can live with!
Well … we’ve spent well over a year and a half going through most of Paul’s epistles … It’s been quite a journey, and I pray you have been blessed. For the next few weeks, we’re going to visit the epistles from Peter. And may I pray, as Peter prayed: May grace and peace be yours in the fullest measure!
We start our review of 1 Peter with hope—a living hope. We who follow Christ, who have personal relationships with Him, have been offered a great mercy from our Lord God.
We are promised an inheritance—imperishable and undefiled—in heaven.
We are promised protection—by the power of God through faith—here on earth.
When I read verses like this, I get homesick. I completely resonate with Paul’s words to the Philippians: “For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better” (Phil. 1:23).
It gives me a hope I can live with on earth to know one day the cares and sufferings I experience now won’t even be a memory. I’ll be in the presence of the triune God!
Now, that’s a hope I can live with!
Tuesday, September 06, 2016
Great Promises! (2 Timothy 4:17-19)
Today’s scripture: 2 Timothy 4:17-19
Three promises … Two for today. One for tomorrow.
“The Lord [stands] with me and strengthen[s] me” each and every day. To be honest, this is the promise that keeps me going. If it weren’t for the confidence I have that God is with me every day, right by my side, I don’t know how I’d make it.
If you’ve been a regular follower of these daily devotionals, you know I suffer from several chronic health issues. I feel constant pain and weariness, and my energy level is usually quite low. I desperately need the strength of my heavenly Father to get me through each day. And that’s not an exaggeration. Too many mornings I wake up, and it’s all I can do to get out of bed. And yet, each evening, I crawl back into bed, knowing I accomplished much through God-given strength.
“The Lord rescue[s] me from every evil deed.” We’ve talked a lot about battles, and I find great comfort in knowing the Lord “has my back.” No matter what the enemy throws at me, God will rescue me. He’ll protect me as I continue this earthly journey.
And the promise for tomorrow?
One day, He “will bring me safely to His heavenly kingdom.” One day, all my weariness and pain will end. One day, I will no longer have to battle against the enemy of my soul. One day, I’ll be in the very presence of my God—Father, Son, and Spirit.
How blessed I am to know that God never leaves me nor forsakes me here on earth (Deut. 31:6, 8; Josh. 1:5; Ps. 27:9; Heb. 13:5). And how even more blessed I am that one day I’ll shed this earthly skin and spend eternity with the Lord.
What great promises!
Three promises … Two for today. One for tomorrow.
“The Lord [stands] with me and strengthen[s] me” each and every day. To be honest, this is the promise that keeps me going. If it weren’t for the confidence I have that God is with me every day, right by my side, I don’t know how I’d make it.
If you’ve been a regular follower of these daily devotionals, you know I suffer from several chronic health issues. I feel constant pain and weariness, and my energy level is usually quite low. I desperately need the strength of my heavenly Father to get me through each day. And that’s not an exaggeration. Too many mornings I wake up, and it’s all I can do to get out of bed. And yet, each evening, I crawl back into bed, knowing I accomplished much through God-given strength.
“The Lord rescue[s] me from every evil deed.” We’ve talked a lot about battles, and I find great comfort in knowing the Lord “has my back.” No matter what the enemy throws at me, God will rescue me. He’ll protect me as I continue this earthly journey.
And the promise for tomorrow?
One day, He “will bring me safely to His heavenly kingdom.” One day, all my weariness and pain will end. One day, I will no longer have to battle against the enemy of my soul. One day, I’ll be in the very presence of my God—Father, Son, and Spirit.
How blessed I am to know that God never leaves me nor forsakes me here on earth (Deut. 31:6, 8; Josh. 1:5; Ps. 27:9; Heb. 13:5). And how even more blessed I am that one day I’ll shed this earthly skin and spend eternity with the Lord.
What great promises!
Monday, August 03, 2015
Protection Through Persecution (2 Corinthians 11:30-33)
Today’s scripture: 2 Corinthians 11:30-33
Friday, we talked about the persecution Christians will face. While most of us won’t be imprisoned or martyred for our faith, we will be insulted or ridiculed.
But God is our faithful protector in each and every situation. He miraculously opened prison doors (Acts 12:7; 16:26), closed lions’ mouths (Daniel 6:22), and provided ways of escape, like Paul’s being let down in a basket. And even when in the midst of suffering, He brings peace and joy (Acts 16:25).
We can be confident that, no matter what persecution we experience, our God will be with us (Hebrews 13:5). He will walk with us, often carry us. And we can know without doubt that even if He calls us to make the ultimate earthly sacrifice, our reward will be heaven itself.
And while on earth, we know that persecution will:
Friday, we talked about the persecution Christians will face. While most of us won’t be imprisoned or martyred for our faith, we will be insulted or ridiculed.
But God is our faithful protector in each and every situation. He miraculously opened prison doors (Acts 12:7; 16:26), closed lions’ mouths (Daniel 6:22), and provided ways of escape, like Paul’s being let down in a basket. And even when in the midst of suffering, He brings peace and joy (Acts 16:25).
We can be confident that, no matter what persecution we experience, our God will be with us (Hebrews 13:5). He will walk with us, often carry us. And we can know without doubt that even if He calls us to make the ultimate earthly sacrifice, our reward will be heaven itself.
And while on earth, we know that persecution will:
“we may study patience, courage, and firm trust in God. Here we may learn to think less of ourselves; and we should ever strictly keep to truth, as in God's presence; and should refer all to his glory, as the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is blessed for evermore.” (Matthew Henry Concise Commentary of the Whole Bible)
Monday, October 20, 2014
Fighting the Enemy (Psalm 17:10-12)
Today's
scripture: Psalm 17:10-12
King David, the author of Psalm 17, faced enemies—real enemies that wanted to see him dead. Many times through the psalms he wrote, he cried out for God's deliverance from those enemies.
We may not face human enemies, but we are certainly under attack. As Paul wrote, "We are fighting against forces and authorities and against rulers of darkness and powers in the spiritual world" (CEV, Ephesians 6:12).
The enemy of our souls, Satan himself, wants nothing more than to keep us from serving and worshipping God. He knows he's lost the war because I truly believe we can never lose our salvation, but he can keep us away from God. He can whisper words of doubt. He can make us question our faith. He can keep us stagnant, keeping us from growing as children of God.
When we find ourselves doubting or questioning, we need to go immediately to the One who loves us. We need to open our hearts to Him, sharing what's deep in our souls. He will cover us with His love and remind us that He is the Victor, and one day, He will vanquish the enemy (Revelation 20:10).
We can live in hope that God will help us fight the enemy while we're on earth, and we can rejoice in the assurance that He, one day, will conquer the enemy forever.
King David, the author of Psalm 17, faced enemies—real enemies that wanted to see him dead. Many times through the psalms he wrote, he cried out for God's deliverance from those enemies.
We may not face human enemies, but we are certainly under attack. As Paul wrote, "We are fighting against forces and authorities and against rulers of darkness and powers in the spiritual world" (CEV, Ephesians 6:12).
The enemy of our souls, Satan himself, wants nothing more than to keep us from serving and worshipping God. He knows he's lost the war because I truly believe we can never lose our salvation, but he can keep us away from God. He can whisper words of doubt. He can make us question our faith. He can keep us stagnant, keeping us from growing as children of God.
When we find ourselves doubting or questioning, we need to go immediately to the One who loves us. We need to open our hearts to Him, sharing what's deep in our souls. He will cover us with His love and remind us that He is the Victor, and one day, He will vanquish the enemy (Revelation 20:10).
We can live in hope that God will help us fight the enemy while we're on earth, and we can rejoice in the assurance that He, one day, will conquer the enemy forever.
Friday, October 17, 2014
Words of Encouragement (Psalm 17:6-9)
Today's scripture: Psalm 17:6-9
I love how much truth and hope and encouragement I can find in just a few verses. As I read today's scripture, I find:
God hears me every time I call on Him. No matter where I am, no matter what I'm doing, He hears me. He "incline[s His] ear to me ..." This assurance encourages me so much!
He shows me "marvelous lovingkindness." My God, the Creator of the universe, loves me. Me. Flawed, fleshly, fallible me. He demonstrates His love in so many ways. Provision. Protection. Peace through the storm. Carrying me when I can't take a step (see yesterday's devotional).
I am the "apple of [His] eye." According to the Urban Dictionary, this phrase means "one's favorite person; the one you love most." While I don't believe God loves anyone more than others, it's encouraging to remember that He thinks I'm special ... and you are too!
He hides me "under the shadow of [His] wings." I don't have to worry about what the day will bring because He protects me. When the storms come, He covers me from the rain. When I face crises or difficulties, He will keep me safe.
Our God is so very good, and He loves to shower us with blessings ... and He loves to encourage us by reminding us of His love and care.
Monday, September 01, 2014
Old Age ... (Psalm 71:9-11)
Today's scripture: Psalm 71:9-11
Sometimes, I cannot believe I've reached the half-century mark. Fifty always seemed ... well, old. I feel far from old, though—at least in my mind. I'm quite certain that, if my body feels old, it's more because of ill-health than age.
I'm currently in rehearsals for a musical in which the majority of the cast could easily be my children, and I'm keeping up with most of them during hours of rather strenuous choreography.
I really don't feel old.
Praise God, however, even if I do feel old, even if I do age here on earth, I will always have strength. God-given strength.
Never will my enemies be able to say, "God has forsaken her." Never.
I know my God will never leave me, never forsake me (Hebrews 13:5). He will give me strength to do anything He calls me to do (Philippians 4:13). I know He'll hold my hand and protect me (Psalm 37:24).
God may take me home tomorrow or keep me here on earth for another three or four decades ... no matter His plan, I will trust that He will never cast me off or forsake me.
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