Lessons I'm Learning - 6

Over the past few weeks there have been waves of unexpected "situations," some may call calamities, crashing down on me and a couple of others. The tides are receding in an ebb and flow dance, but the aftermath lingers. Nonetheless, I am still standing. I still have a smile on my face, praise on my lips. My arms are uplifted in worship as I sing and dance!

As I began my annual walk through the Bible at the beginning of this year, I realized even more that there are no coincidences. Reading each day about the rise and fall of leaders and kingdoms, while we traverse a modern day trial of immense proportions, gives me more confidence in the God in whom I trust. When we belong to Him, no weapon formed against us can prosper (Isaiah 54:17; 2 Corinthians 10:3-5). And His mercies never fail (Lamentations 3:22-23)!

I'm standing on behalf of my family, as well as many others, for answers to prayer. Armed with God's Word and the support of certain intercessors, we are united in our resolve. This infuriates the enemy, because one of his main snares is discouragement, and although we all fall prey to that to one degree or another, it must not defeat us. So, when the battle is raging, and you feel your knees growing weak, hold on, because help is on the way! Psalm 121 reminds us that God neither slumbers nor sleeps. Psalms 91 comforts us with God's abiding Presence in the words:

"He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High 

will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

I will say of the Lord, 'He is my refuge and

my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.'"

Psalm 91:1-2

When you feel outnumbered, ask God to remove the veil from your eyes, so you can see the Army of the Lord camped around you (Psalm 27; Psalm 91; 2 Kings 6:16-17).

Each morning, before your feet hit the floor, thank God for the new day, even if you don't feel like it (Psalm 118:24). Lastly, mediate on Psalm 23 and spend some time thinking about what the words mean to you. Several pastors I know have been teaching on this very subject of the Lord as our Shepherd, in the hope of bringing much-needed comfort. On one of Michael W Smith's weekly concerts, he quoted Psalm 23 from the Passion Translation that breaks it down in modern day vernacular:

The Lord is my best friend and my shepherd.

I always have more than enough. 

He offers a resting place for me in his luxurious love.

His tracks take me to an oasis of peace, the quiet brook of bliss.

That's where he restores and revives my life.

He opens before me pathways to God's pleasure

and leads me along in his footsteps of righteousness, 

so that I can bring honor to his name.

Lord, even when your path takes me through

the valley of deepest darkness,

fear will never conquer me, for you already have!

You remain close to me and lead me through it all the way.

Your authority is my strength and my peace.

The comfort of your love takes away my fear.

I'll never be lonely, for you are  near.

You become my delicious feast

even when my enemies dare to fight.

You anoint me with the fragrance of your Holy Spirit,

you give me all I can drink of you until my heart overflows.

So why should I fear the future?

For your goodness and love pursues me all the days of my life.

Then afterward, when my life is through,

I'll return to your glorious presence to be forever with you!

Today my reading takes me to the book of Job. I can hardly wait to see where the journey takes me in the lessons I am learning!