When it comes to self-protection—covering my flaws, my lack, and my inabilities—I’ve got a rather decent stash: pseudostrength, “good” works, showcasing my achievements, people-pleasing, and collecting more “stuff.” And sadly, the list goes on.
But what, you may ask, leads me to attempt this kind of shielding? Two words. Misplaced fear—a worship that is directed toward created things, like the thoughts, opinions, and validation of people (including myself), rather than the Creator, Himself.
Ouch. And ouch.
Do you relate to this same struggle? Like me, do you run to pseudoshields that not only fail to protect, but actually expose you to the dangers of sin? If so, then today’s passage provides you and I great hope in the midst of our battle! Through this particular story of Abram, we see that fear is rightly placed in the one true God and His word (Psalm 28:6–9). Genesis 15:1 reads,
“After these events, the word of the LORD came to
Abram in a vision…” (Genesis 15:1).
Note how the writer is gently drawing the reader back to the previous chapter by saying “after these events.” In Genesis 14, Abram (who at this point had been waiting over two decades for the fulfillment of God’s promise made to him in Genesis 12) rejected the King of Sodom’s goods, his just reward for defeating the eastern kings. What made this an act of faith was not so much what Abram did, but why he did it. Abram feared the Lord, he trusted in His promise and took God at His word. This is reverential fear. This is true worship.
What about you and me? In prolonged seasons of waiting, when we are assaulted by the constricting fumes of panic and the bewildering grip of anxiety, where are we prone to place our fear? In created things or in the Creator Himself?
Today’s reading in Genesis 15 beckons us to worship—to rightly place our reverent fear in the One true God and His promises found in His word:
“Do not be afraid, Abram.
I am your shield;
your reward will be very great” (v.1).
The Lord came not merely to give Abram a greater reward but to be his great reward. So intimately tender and relationally near is God, to call Abram by name and offer not just His hand of blessing but Himself—the ever-present shield.
And could it be today, in this very moment, God is calling out to you and to me by name? Reminding us to not be afraid—to rightly place our fear in Him. He invites us to put down our caps and pseudoshields, and to take hold of our true and better covering—Jesus Christ (2Corinthians 12:9–10). He is a faithful protector and He is a faithful provider. What better shield is there to turn to?
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140 thoughts on "For He Is Your Shield"
God is my rescue and my strength, an ever present help in trouble!!!
Praise the name of the Lord most high!!!!!
Wow. What blew me away this morning during today’s devotional, was honestly the absolute last scripture! 2 Corinthians 12:9-10. Complete 180 when looking at hardships, at insults, at struggles, etc. We are to take pleasure in them, and BOAST about our weaknesses and struggles?! YES! So that Christ’s power may reside in us! As his power is only PERFECTED in weakness! Gosh! How great to be loved and protected by our glorious Lord! Amen!
Amen! I needed to hear this so much today. Recently got laid off from my job and I have had great desires to return to my previous passion and I already see how God is working in this
Powerful. Thank you for sharing your story. I am praying for you. ❤️
I needed to read this tonight. Praying my son is healthy and okay. Placing my worries of his health into God’s hands. He is my shield and his shield as well.
Very timely message. Thank you.
I became widowed 3 1/2 months ago after walking with my husband through 7 years of cancer. After the funeral, all of my adult children returned to their homes (out of state). It was then that I felt the depth of fear and anxiety of living alone, of my house facing foreclosure, of watching the balance in my small checking account dwindle. I clung to the promises of Scripture regarding God’s care of widows. And then I watched in awe as He solved every problem I faced. While my grief and sorrow continue, I’ve come to internalize the truth that fear is the seedbed of distraction from the Lord. I keep playing that Phil Wickham song in my head with the lyrics, “When all I see is the battle, You see my victory.” Praise God!
I needed to hear this today, the Lords timing is perfect!!!
I love this reading so much. God is my shield and I don’t have to carry my anxieties alone. He is faithful. He is on my side.
This is a great reminder of how much he loves and cares for us. Whenever I am anxious I remember that his ways are greater than mine. How gracious our god is, is beyond what our human minds can imagine. Thank you lord for your shield!
I definitely need to place my fear in God. Just these past few days I been feeling scared and anxious and I just need to learn how to give it all to him. This message says to worship. Which that stood out to me. How do I do that? I feel like I’ve never figured out what works for me to get that worship time
Needed this today and every day
Funny how we can read a verse so many times and still discover meaning. “My power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Cor. 12:9) stood out to me today. His power is made perfect, but only in my weakness. Why do I try so hard to be strong when I experience more of Him by letting go?
I place my fear in you Father
“God offers not just his hand of blessing, but Himself, the ever-present shield.” Wow. What an intimate, personal God we have.
He is my Great Reward! What a great reminder on a busy day
I never thought of god as a shield. I truly
This is what we need each of us giving our fears to him and letting him protect us, Amen
Blessed to have an amazing God who forgives me when i tend to go back to putting my trust in the things of this world and not him.
Needed this. Please pray for my struggles with please others more than Jesus
The seventh verse of the Psalm passage really stood out to me. The declaration that I will trust in Him. I will.
❤️
As I sit in the doctors office waiting for results I put my anxiety and fear on him. No matter the outcome he is a loving and merciful Father.
Love this reminder. What a privilege it is that we can cast our fears and anxieties to God rather than to hold on to them ourselves.
<3
❤️
So good, I often find myself putting trust in created things rather than the creator.
It gave me chills and brought me to unshed tears. Especially the last reading. The Lord is GOOD
This really hit home today. God help me to place my fears in you for You are my shield!
Whew, this was good! ❤️
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I have been having a really hard morning and this gave me the little boost to finish out my day , not in my own strength but the Lords ❤️
Amen. I cast all my anxiety and stress away to the Lord to handle and free me from it. He’s is our strength and shield.
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Whom do I fear? Great question as we have plenty of “lesser” options these days! Blessings of “right placed” fear to you all!
He is my shield.
Please pray for me
Amen
This brought soothing balm to my scorched and anxiety ridden heart! God shines His perfect light through this cracked pot and I am ever so thankful!
Amen!
What are my pseudoshields? Lord help me to recognize them and give my fears and anxieties to you!
I love 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 ❤️
I have been going on my own strength and relying on my pseudoshields. I am a perfect example of what she calls “misplaced fear” and I am officially exhausted. Everyday I invite the LORD to be my SHIELD!!!! I am going to finally take him at his word-true worship. I pray the same for everyone, that we would accept him as the greatest gift of all!!!!
Holy Spirit, take my fear and give me your peace.
God you are our Shield!!!
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Amen
When we follow the holy spirit’s promptings we effectively walk into God’s protection. Who doesn’t want – slash that – NEED that shield?
Thank you Oghosa for your words. “God is calling out to you and to me by name – reminding us to not be afraid – to rightly place our fear in Him.” I so needed to hear this today. My heart is heavy as we are in tension with one of our son’s and his wife and our relationship is very delicate right now. They have chosen to pull away from us and our family because of wrong teaching they have been under in their church. Very hurtful. We need wisdom how to navigate this. Also, things are very volatile in Canada right now – we need God. I so easily move towards anxiety and fear and it’s so not a good place to be. I would really appreciate your prayers today. Thank you.
Misplaced fear. Am I tempted to rush into a mistake b/c I’m so discontent with my situation? Will I be grateful for His presence in the wait?
The Father is welcoming, we just have to go to Him. What really struck me was when asked, where are we prone to place our fear? In created things or in the Creator HIMSELF. Wow… God I give my fears to you
Lord you are good
How blessed are we to have such encouragement through Scripture just available to us in our daily lives? I’m praising God for His words given to me and preserved from so so long ago.
I am currently going through a custody battle with my mom for my son. I have been clean for 3 years from an 11 year drug addiction and a year ago we started the process. This reading and all the ones before so far are speaking to my inner most being. Reminding me, along with other quiet times before the Lord, that He is my shield and my strength.
I am so guilty of all of this.
My song for today is “King of My Heart.”
My the king of my heart
Be the mountain where I run
The fountain I drink from
He is my song…
…When the night is holding on to me
God is holding on
&
He is my shield
I too fall into the trap of misplacing my fear in created things like thoughts, opinions, validation of people. At times it can be crippling. I’m reminded that only my Creator deserves my fear. I pray I put my trust in His promises above all else.
Wow, amazing devo.
Just peace on Gods promises.
Blessed be the Lord for He has heard my pleading!
@Ashley Tolbert I am claiming victory with you! What an awesome and inspiring testimony. May God wrap you up in the peace that passes understanding and as you put on your shield for work may it be a reminder that God’s got you in the palm of His hand!
Valerie, I’ve been through a season much like that. The waiting is so hard especially when you’ve been working for so long and have invested so much emotion in it. I’ll pray for you. Keep trusting in God, His plan will happen in due time!
Amen
I’m currently waiting to hear if i got into my dream grad school. I’m 30 years old and have been working towards my education for 11 years. I’ve listened and know that I heard him clear and have taken the directions that he has given me. But when i found out i didn’t get in, in the first round. I was crushed, I questioned if I heard wrong. So now I will try everyday. instead of doubting, I am listening, pursuing and waiting.
“May he grant your heart’s desires and make all your plans succeed.”
Psalms 20:4 NLT
I’m currently waiting to hear if i got into my dream grad school. I’m 30 years old and have been working towards my education for 11 years. I’ve listened and know that I heard him clear and have taken the directions that he has given me. But when i found out i didn’t get in, in the first round. I was crushed, I questioned if I heard wrong. So now I will try everyday. instead of doubting, I am listening, pursuing and waiting
Lord please be my shield during this very difficult time.
Yes! It’s changing the prayer from “please don’t let xyz happen to us” to “Lord give us the strength to overcome and ensure xyz, and in Him I have the strength”
“My grace is sufficient for you”. Those are such beautiful words filled with promise and I pray that the Lord helps believe this every day.
Everyday for almost 2 years, I have dressed in a physical shield to care for my patients. I have had so much anxiety that at times I feel like I am physically disabled from it. Over the last week, I have all of a sudden felt complete peace about Covid and have decided, for my mental health and well being, and my Children’s, I have to move on. I have prayed and prayed for protection from sickness and from harm. I’ve been weak for so long in my anxiety. As of now, I’m claiming victory over my fears and anxieties and letting God shield me and my family!
Oooooo… Do I ever have some puedo shields. Jesus help me.
Sky, I love how you ended this post. In our weakness we are reminded the we are limited but God is not. Our weakness are humbling and while it is easy and “tempting” to get lost in our weakness they remind me just how much I am in need of the grace and mercy of God. It is when we are weak, or challenge that we are transformed by the work and and careful hands of God. I am weak, I get scared, I am flawed, but my God is one of good character and he doesn’t leave me in my weakness but lifts me in his strength.
Sky, I love how you ended this post. In our weakness we are reminded the we are limited but God is not. Our weakness are humbling and while it is easy and “tempting” to let our weakness be seen as they remind just how much in need we are of the grace and mercy of God. It is when we are weak, or challenge that we are transformed by the work and and careful hands of God. I am weak, I get scared, I am flawed, but my God is good and he
I read this today and thought I would share it: God doesn’t give strength, He is our strength and refuge.
I said at the beginning of this that I wasn’t sure if or what fears I had and that this study would probably be pretty enlightening as to what’s in my heart. Well. So far that’s been true. While I was reading todays scripture and then the devotional here, I kept thinking back to when I spoke up on Sunday School and probably sounded like a crazy person. I don’t claim to be an extremely wise person, but I do often want to share the freedom I’ve felt in some of the truths God has spoken to me, and since I’m not always very eloquent in speech or articulate in thought, I’m worried that I will wind up pushing people farther away from Jesus. I don’t care so much if people think I’m a loony, it’s more so that I’m afraid if they don’t take me seriously then they won’t hear what I’m meaning to say. If any of that makes sense. Sometimes being human and having human limitations are frustrating!
I love knowing that God is my shield. Obviously, bad things can still happen in my life, but God doesn’t let them truly destroy me. He is always with me and always has a plan, even in the middle of our worst fears. I can see his hand of protection over so many areas of my life. It makes me wonder why I ever worry, when He is always there.
Hello dear sisters!
@ Corinthians 12:9-10 really spoke to me. It truly is worth accepting our weaknesses… God loves the broken!!! And it’s so beautiful to go through persecution and suffering FOR Jesus. American culture tells us to be ashamed of our weaknesses but we are glad to have them because with them.. our hearts are more open to Christ!
One of my favorite parts of the Bible is when God brings Abram outside and tells him to look at the stars and to number them. Love it!
Thanks & hugs to all of you for your wonderful words today.
Beautiful words from all today!
Amen! ❤️❤️
@Victoria E, I am starting “The Armour of God” tomorrow with my new church, Women’s small group! I am so excited! If you remember I had prayed about finding a new church to make our home before Christmas, so although we have been going, we don’t know many people yet! So I’m excited to not only learn from this study but to engage and get to know some friends! You must be getting really excited and anxious in your pregnancy, always praying for you! Did you see where I mentioned to you there was a good program of Focus on the Family, on a loss of a pregnancy? I know you would really appreciate and relate.
Prayers for all of your requests daily! Thinking of you Martha Hix and Tracy Gendron (spelled it right that time!) and many more.
So I read through to verse eight in Isaiah. Starting with verse four through to eight there is so much I can relate to. I also passed it on to my sister I felt it was something she could relate to.
Oghosa really has me “soul-searching” today. Some of the questions she asks and some of her statements. Oh yes, I do have reverential fear and I guess that is one of my greatest fears.
Lord please guide me and lead me in Your ways. I want You to be my “great reward” and my “everlasting shield” from this day forward. Help me to remember that YOU ARE ALL I NEED!!! Amen.
Sisters be blessed and remember the only fear you should really have is reverential fear.
GramsieSue, my sister had the same cancer. Initially I was so sure God would heal her and that would turn the nonbelievers to Him. After a couple days realizing that would not be the case. I wasn’t angry at God but questioned why! I could see nothing good coming from this!As a few years passed, I have seen His plan that did turn others to Him. We don’t always get to know the reasons why, but through faith we trust His plans are perfect! Prayers for you as you endure this journey.
Thank you, Jennifer Loves Jesus, I needed to read your words today, especially after the amazing essay by Oghosa. I have been consumed by fear for the past 3 years and longer so I was super excited to see this study come up. Your words remind me that it’s not enough to love and choose Him once but I need to choose Him every time the feelings of not being enough and being terrified come up. I need to just reach out and He will help me get to the right road, the road focused on Him.
I was lead to read the comments as most days I do not. God is good and I feel His presence surrounding me as I delve into this Bible Study. I will be reading the comments from now on.
I pray that all of us struggling with fear and too frightened to move forward find comfort in our Father and the peace and grace He always has for us.
Recently I’ve been struggling with God. I’ve been thinking of how cruel the world is and wonder how God put us here. Why would he put the ones He loves here to experience heartache and pain? I look at children and think back to how happy I was. Children are unknowing of the harshness of life. At times, I wish I could go back to being like this. Today’s reading helped answer this for me. It reminded me that God offers protection (like being an unknowing child does) from the harsh world through himself. I love that.
Jennifer Loves Jesus….Thank you for this!!! Your words reflect what I want to keep foremost in my heart. Trust Jesus. Eyes on Him. Surrendering it all to the Lord while trusting in His goodness. You described it all so beautifully. I’m going to print this out and come back to it again. Thanks for sharing!!
So many good thoughts here this morning!! JULIE A, I loved your quote: “Like manna, God gives us enough strength and grace for each day as it comes and will never fail us. But he doesn’t promise to come along into our “what if” worries about the future….” I have been giving far too much attention/energy to “what if” scenarios, so this was convicting for me! How sweet that God promises sufficient grace. Period. There are no caveats. His mercies are new every single morning and I pray that we will all bask in the wonder of that today.
Heidi V and Angie, I am doing the armoire of God study by Priscilla Shrier right now! It’s good stuff but man do I feel attacked sometimes while doing it! All kind of “out of the blue” occurrences, anxieties, etc. GramsieSue still praying for you and Steve. Brooke P praying for you as well. Mari V hope all is well. I might have been missing your posts about your recovery from your injury but I pray it is going well.
This verse from Genesis 15 stuck out to me this morning: “In the fourth generation they will return here, for the iniquity of the Amorites has not yet reached its full measure.”
God destroyed many nations…seven just so the Israelites could have their promise land (Acts 13). I have heard many questions recently as to why our loving God would just wipe out so many nations. I have heard the answer about these nations not fearing or following after God, but seeing this verse… oof.
“The iniquity of the Amorites has not yet reached its full measure.” Sisters, He waited! He waited until each of these nations’ sin had reached its full measure. I take that to mean that there wasn’t a single person in that nation even close to following after God by the time He destroyed them. That just speaks volumes to me of how loving, just, and patient He is. We serve such a good God that He won’t let a nation fall until it is completely engulfed in sin. He had told Abraham later with Sodom and Gomorrah, that if he found even 10 righteous people he wouldn’t destroy the land. He saved Lot and his family from being destroyed, but there wasn’t even 10 people, because God waited until their sin was SO great before destroying them.
Let’s fear God and live for Him dear Sisters!
Wow. Speaks volumes to our nation.
Isaiah 12:2 “Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord, is my strength and my song; He has become my salvation.”
It’s such a good reminder to remember that God is in control. ultimate control, for He is the CREATOR of ALL things. which means NOTHING is out of his hands. which ALSO means, that we can lay EVERYTHING at his feet for we KNOW who he is and we know what His promises are.
“Praise be to the Lord, for he has heard my cry for mercy.” – Psalm 28:6
I’m so thankful that God hears us when we call out to Him. Whenever I reach out to God, I know His shield of protection is covering me.
Oh my. What an eye-opener for me. I have been doing so much research on treatments for Steve’s glioblastoma. This cancer is not curable but “I” have been determined to find a way to overcome it. The shields/idols of healthier eating, supplements, clinical trials….. But God. Oh But God. He is my shield, my great reward. He will overcome. And even if He allows my worst fear, He will never leave me. Thank you, Jesus, for your love, strength, and light to help us walk through the hard things. Blessings and prayers for all of you She’s. Hugs ❤️
I love how these devotionals help me find the words I need to explain certain concepts like reverential fear. When I try to explain that while I love God, I also have a healthy dose of fear, I get odd looks like “Why?” But it’s not the fear that cowers me in a corner. It is the fear of disappointing God, a fear born out of respect and reverence because he is all powerful.
I have not commented the past few days because we’ve all been physically and mentally exhausted after my FIL’ funeral, but it’s also been good to sit back, read the devotionals and the reflections by all of you, sisters. It’s been like a balm to my soul. Be blessed.
She’s, keep pressing into the Lord, seeking him, praying in faith with endurance and perseverance. Don’t give up! The enemy is wrapping our hearts and minds in fear, but when we are weak, God is strong. Cast your anxieties onto the Lord!
Love Paul’s musing at the end of today’s reading “I boast in weakness, for when I am weak I am strong.” Our culture puts so much emphasis on being strong that I have definitely put up some walls and have misplaced fear. I pray today that I learn to rest in God’s strength, and not just my own!
Thank you, Heidi. That is true for me as well – far too often. That is one reason I appreciate this community – humble, honest, struggling hearts in this journey together. And praying for each other along the way.
I love “we don’t have to be concerned about a sneak attack from Any direction”. Good stuff.
My fear is nothing to Him – He hears me, He loves me, He heals my anxiety and fear and reminds me that He is beside me, He is in front of me, He is down and around the corner from me. He is faithful to keep His word.
Misplace fear – a worship directed toward the validation of others. I am very guilty of this and it in turn led to sin. That is part of the reason I turned to God and started my
He is mighty, loving and true. There is no one like our God. Hugs Sisters
Misplace fear – a worship directed toward the validation of others. I am very guilty of
Blessed Beth, praying for peace as you and your neighbors navigate loss. So sorry to hear it.
Kelly Neo, after a full week in the hospital my mother in law was sent home yesterday! She is still weak but will now get to recover in the comfort of her own bed. Praise the lord! Feeling thankful for hospitals and those who serve in the medical field.
Jennifer loves jesus, I loved your thoughts on keeping our eyes on the lord, not on our fear. Thank you for sharing!
Thanks for all of these reminders of where I should place my focus! Very timely and encouraging!
Our Savior walked through more darkness than light, just like he calls us to do! Do not fear, Morning is coming!
Hallelujah, what a Savior! He who took on flesh and entered into our suffering, commands us not to fear! His road for some of us is through more darkness than light, yet He lived the example (for our encouragement ) of what it is to walk through darkness in this life! The morning is coming!
Hallelujah, what a Savior!”
Did not mean to post the ♥️ three times – sorry!
Did not mean to send twice – oops
♥️
The reading today brings to mind a song I clung to when I was in my deepest struggle that I referred to yesterday- “Enough” by Chris Thomlin. Beautiful song that I still love, here are some of the lyrics-
You are my supply
My breath of life
And still more awesome than I know
You are my reward
worth living for
And still more awesome than I know
All of You is more than enough for all of me
For every thirst and every need
You satisfy me with Your love
And all I have in You is more than enough.
Have a good day She’s. You all are always in my prayers, let’s continue to share our struggles and be a community of believers that give it all to our God, that is more than enough. -R
Lord you are my rock and my shield. Thank you for protecting me Heavenly Father.
Thank you Jesus for being my shield. Thank you that your power is made perfect in my weakness. Please allow me to be more open about my weaknesses so that you can be seen more fully in my life. Amen
WOW. I just woke up from a horrible nightmare that had me waking up in tears. This was exactly what i was needing to hear as my fears/worries in my dream stemmed from worldly things. Such an encouragement and exactly what i needed to read this morning. Thank you!
I’ve never been married and while that may someday be in my future, I have to realize that God is enough. The verses in Isaiah really spoke to me by showing me that God sees me. My dreams, my desires, my wants. He doesn’t discount them. But he wants me to know that He is enough.
If we trust God with some things, we must trust Him with ALL things, including our fears, doubts, anxieties, insecurities, etc. He is our strength and shield. He is ready and willing to carry our burdens, so long as we are willing to drop them at His feet.
This morning as I considered the pouring out of confessions in the comments about anxiety this week, these words came: Eyes on the Lord, not on our fear. Eyes on Him, Jesus walks on the water that threatens to drown. His hand holds out hope. Look for His hand. Reach and walk.
Praying over each of the names I see. Praying for peace that passes all understanding. As I have walked with the Word in the last decade, the thing that changed was me. The battle of life was still hard, but my heart softened under God’s providence in pruning me. He allowed loss, but I gained Him. Alone I battled, yet Jesus was there with me. Rather than focusing on the losses and hard things, I prayed and layed them down. Every morning I trusted in the steadfast love of my Maker. He bought me with the highest bid and set me free. In that freedom, I choose Him over everything.
When I struggle, I choose Him. When I feel anxious, I choose Him. He truly is my shield. Fear and anxiety cannot penetrate the armor, but I must work with Him to stand against the darkness. Life comes with sickness, and lost loves, terror by night, but God holds the end of the story. His Kingdom reigns on the other side of this world. The old things will pass away, and ALL things will be made new. Give us strength Lord, help us walk in the truth of our faith. Help us reckon with the power You have given us to overcome the hard things and shine Your light in the midst of them. If our faith doesn’t shine brighter than everyone else who struggles with anxiety, what does that say to the world? For His glory we must fight to be the women we are called to be. Lay down what keeps us from shining. Lay down the pseudoshields, lay down the idols. Let Jesus have it all. Eyes on Him. Reach and walk. And may the stronger women help the weaker. May we be shields and safe places for honesty, praying and standing for eachother in our community.
This really hit me today. I am a ballet dancer, and I was injured yesterday. It’s not a major injury, but a huge frustration and roadblock. I’m trying to trust God, to lean on Him, and know that He is ALL I NEED! Dear Lord, I pray that You would help my heart to long for You and not the world or created things. Fill me with the joy that only You can bring. Amen.
Father help me to truly put my faith in You and not worldly things. In Jesus name, Amen
Beautifully written devotional and so on point!
THE LORD is my great reward – not the relationship I long for, the dream job, the family I hope to have someday, the fun life experiences. He is enough to satisfy me for an ETERNITY! Easier said than done but I want to put my full trust in the Lord to lead me through this life with my eyes fixed on Him above anything else
I have to ask myself that dreaded question OFTEN- what am I genuinely seeking: God my faithful Father, or His hand and what it can give me next. Every time I am impatient and upset because He has not yet given me the thing I’m most desiring, I have to stop and recognize the only thing I should be MOST desiring -regardless of any circumstances I find myself in- is HIM.
JUST Him.
He is still withholding something from me and my family that I always assumed was a given. Something I always “knew” He would provide. And who knows- He may still provide it in the future. But He has clearly been saying “If this that you have, is ALL that you have, forever- am I still enough?”
I don’t want to admit the answer I give on MANY. days. And even if my words can muster up the “right” answer, I’ll then spend an entire day demonstrating the opposite to be true in my actions.
I want the faith and strength and trust to just BE and not want. I want a steadiness in my heart that doesn’t let the opinions and thoughts and misguided beliefs of others have such an impact on my own trust in God.
He is always good, I know that- I just need to act on it more readily.
These Scriptures encourage me to have faith in God’s redemption for my own place of sorrow. I am not mourning over being childless, yet I am mourning the results of a sinful past. Oh how I hope and hold to these words as God my Redeemer.
His grace is sufficient
His grace is sufficient & made perfect in our weakness
His grade
“…when we are assaulted by the constricting fumes of panic and the bewildering grip of anxiety…” My usual routine in the morning is to read SRT before doing anything else; however, this morning I first read a message that had come in overnight. This message was absolutely brimming over with “constricting fumes of panic” from a friend in “the bewildering grip of anxiety.” I actually felt “assaulted” by her words, which weren’t aimed at me but were full of the fear brought on by conspiracy theories, of which she is a voracious consumer. She wholeheartedly believes she is doing God’s work by warning others about things she’s heard on TV or read online. She asked for us to please not respond to her, as we will not change her beliefs. This made me sad and angry, too. I can’t even remind her to place her fear in God’s hands.
Anyway, thanks for listening. It’s early and I haven’t had coffee yet, so onward!
I pray the Lord reveals my pseudo shields/idols and gives me the humility and strength to lay those down and trust wholeheartedly in Him. I have a fear of disconnection and I believe this leads me to making an idol out of my husband and children. I need to put God first but this can be scary at times when it feels like it threatens my family relationships. I pray for the Holy Spirit to guide me in navigating keeping God first and trusting He will work out the other relationships so I don’t need to cling so tightly. GRAMMISUE praying for your husband and his health and for the Lord to fill you with a spirit of peace not fear. praying for the many other requests about health and health related fear, may you all feel a peace that surpasses all understanding but also find tangible ways in which to ground yourselves so you may let go of worry and find joy today.
Shields in Bible times, it is my understanding, ranged in size, materials, weight, and purpose. Some things I remember from my study of the Armor of God, they could be made of wood, metal, and leather. Some covered your entire front side and hooked shield-to-shield with your fellow warriors to form a protective barrier. The leather often being soaked in water, over and over again, increasing its weight, but also enabling it to quench the flame-lit arrows that were used in some battles as distractions. Some shields were smaller, more easily held, but these did not cover the entire body, so they were used more when your body was fully armored up. A shield could be used to protect as you moved forward in the battle. A shield could be used to protect as you held your ground protecting what/those behind you.
Praise God that we are shielded by God, not from Him.
God knows exactly the shield I need; size, substance, purpose. Jesus’s death and resurrection made possible that shield, made possible the ever-present Holy Spirit directing our advancement or need to stand firm. When I hold firmly to the Shield of my Savior, when I carry it always, when it is a part of me…I have no need for flimsy counterfeits or inferior quality shields. I know this is truth. And, while it is my heart’s desire to ignore the counterfeits, in my humanness I fail sometimes. Thankfully, God’s shield over me does not. Shielded by God, it is where we live as His children.
What I do not want ever, what I pray against, is allowing anything or anyone to “shield” me from God. I get into trouble when I allow counterfeit shields to come between my humble worship and trust of Jesus as Lord. Instead of the order being My King, me, His Shield protection, against evil…I start forming a little pile of “stuff” between the King and me. Pretty soon I am no longer on my knees before His face in worship and praise but I am having to rise up and over the rubble that has grown to block my view of Him, that blocks my focus. As I rise up in my own, I allow the enemy glimpses of me around God’s Shield – not because His Shield is inferior but, because I have moved out of it’s protection, been distracted, and/or lost focus.
Praise God, He is righteous and holy, and does not allow the rubble to stay between us. God knows me and loves me. I am His child. He is my Shield. Thank you Jesus.
Thank you God for letting me place my worry with you; you are my shield!
Thankful for a Lord who I can give my fears and worries to so I can wait for His plan to unfold. I need to remember this when I worry about the future – God is my shield.
I awoke a awhile ago to see an ambulance at my neighbors home and God gave me the knowledge that He had called my friend my home , before I text his wife that I was praying. This happened as well almost a year ago when he called my neighbor on the other side , He put peace in my heart. We will so miss our friend of 38 years, but oh what peace knowing where he is, no fear.
Oh Abram, you believed the Lord and He counted it to you as righteousness. But then Abram turns around and asks God how he can know he will possess the land the Lord had promised. How like Abram I can be. I believe. Help my unbelief. Lord, you are my strength and shield. Help my heart to trust in you without questioning, for You are faithful to fulfill every one of Your promises. When you say it will be so, so it will be.
Isn’t that so very well and beautifully stated? Thank you for sharing that.
A shield is used as a barrier between me and my enemy or my enemy’s weapons. When the shield is the Lord, it surrounds mme on all sides, like a forcefield. I don’t have to be concerned about a sneek attack from any direction. My soul is safe and secure and I can rest in the Lord’s promise to be my reward.
I also am not foolish enough to think that there won’t be troubles in this life, Jesus told us there would be, but God will be with me through them all.
DOROTHY – how is Susan doing? How is your DIL’s mom?
MELANIE – How is your dad?
AUSTIN OLIVIA – How is your MIL?
❤️
I love this! My biggest struggle is worrying, so thank you for sharing that.
Amen
I heard this from a Kathy Keller talk (paraphrased): Like manna, God gives us enough strength and grace for each day as it comes and will never fail us. But he doesn’t promise to come along into our “what if” worries about the future. Take each day as it comes, seek God every morning and try not to look far into the future worrying about what may or may not happen.