The Lord is Our Shield

Psalm 3 (NKJV)

1 LORD, how they have increased who trouble me! Many are they who rise up against me.

2 Many are they who say of me, "There is no help for him in God." Selah

3 But You, O LORD, are a shield for me, My glory and the One who lifts up my head.

4 I cried to the LORD with my voice, And He heard me from His holy hill. Selah

5 I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the LORD sustained me.

6 I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people Who have set themselves against me all around.

7 Arise, O LORD; Save me, O my God! For You have struck all my enemies on the cheekbone; You have broken the teeth of the ungodly.

8 Salvation belongs to the LORD. Your blessing is upon Your people. Selah

Almighty God is a sure help when we are in need. He is a shield of strength and the lifter of our heads in difficult times. Because He is our sustainer, we can sleep in peace and not fear tomorrow or those who may rise up against us.  When we cry out to the Lord, He hears. He is our stronghold. There is salvation and blessing with Him and Him alone. 

Ponder these wonderful truths and let them bring peace to your heart.

The Story

You rarely see a local newspaper anymore. Growing up there were two things that were read; the bible and the newspaper.  Seems like back then we were eager to know what was going on. Not much has changed. It is reported that adults now say they often get news on a mobile device (58 percent) than those who get news on a desktop or laptop computer (39 percent). About 96 percent said they access news via the internet. Today we no longer wait for the paper to hit the front porch.

My grandfather would read the paper as he was watching the evening news. My Gran would read her large white bible while listening from the dinner table. The newspaper was a sacred as the bible it seemed. Both provided answers. As a youth, I would skim the comics and entertainment sections. For some strange reason, I loved the classified section as well. I believe it’s called Craigslist these days.

In high school, I joined the Journalism Club. My teacher, Mrs. Allard, gave me a crash course in writing. She handed out the writing assignments and set the deadlines. We had a strict deadline for stories because the paper printed twice a week.

In class, she covered Who, What, Where, When and Why and How? The 5 W's!  This is a very basic writing format. She taught us that if you don't have these questions answered you don't have a story.

I think about my life’s story and I want God to answer that same format to bring me the answers I am searching for. Why do I put God on a strict timeline? I pray that the Lord will forgive me for questioning His timing. I pray that he will forgive me for not trusting his process. My life story cannot be covered from beginning to end within two days. I realize that my story is much more important and will take more time to develop.

Like Job in the bible, I often ask, “Why me Lord?” Job is answered by God and reminded that God is the creator of all things. We are not God and, therefore, we don't have the ability to understand why he does what he does. Job 38:4 While I do not always understand why I am suffering. I know that I can bring my pain and grief to God and trust that he is in control.

The story of my life is beautiful and sweet. It is authored by God. It has many pages, although how many I do not know. 

 Here are the answers to my story:

Who? I am Gods Child

Read John 1:12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.

What? For His Plan

Read Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Where? For His Will

Read Gal 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

When? For His Timing

Read Ecc 3:1 For everything there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven:

Why? For His Glory

Read 1 Cor 6:20 For you were bought with a price. So, glorify God in your body.

How? For His Sacrifice

Read Romans 5:8

But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us

I pray that you patiently wait for God to reveal the plans for your life. Only God knows the answers to your beautiful story.   May you rejoice in His presence.

This Is Us

“You have heard the law that says the punishment must match the injury: ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say, do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also.” Matthew 5:38-39 NLT

We have all watched in horror this past weekend the absolute worst in our society.  Regardless of the situation, it was clear that something must have gone wrong in their individuals lives.  I have watched as others have blamed each other for who did what wrong or how they were right all along.  Then, a watched gentleman eloquently lay out the case about who bares the blame for what has happened.  It had nothing to do with a killer or gun.  Not Democrat or Republican.  Not Christian or atheist.  It was one simple answer.  Us.  I kept hearing that in my head.  Me?  I’m to blame?  Of course not!  I have no hatred for my fellow man or woman!  I didn’t pull the trigger.  I don’t even know any of the people in El Paso or Dayton.  How is this on me?

Then it hit me.  I have spent so much time lately trying to figure out why this person felt this way or how that person must certainly be wrong that I did not look at the one person who could make a difference.  The one person who God would have me look at.  Me.  And when I did, I found my answer.  We spend a lot of time wanting to blame the ills of the world on everyone else, and yes, everyone has a level of accountability for their own life.  But if blaming others for their flaws is truly ‘what Jesus would do,’ would we have God’s grace?  Would Jesus look at the sinner and say to them, “You are beyond redemption.  I’m sorry?”  Or would He look at our brokenness and with loving eyes say, “I love you.  I forgive you, and come follow me.”  Forgiveness is hard!  It’s hard because I must stop focusing on neither who is wrong nor how I am right.  I must look deeper and realize what my father once told me: If you’re not part of the solution, you are part of the problem.

A relationship with God means that sometimes we must view ourselves from the outside in. Turning the other cheek is not about being wimpy or simply giving in when someone knocks you down.  It’s about looking at the situation, and instead of lashing out with anger and contempt, focusing on God’s love.  It’s looking inward at those things happening around us and asking how we could do better.  Some view it as being accountable.  Others may view it as taking responsibility for those things which we have no control over.  I don’t believe we should take responsibility for everything.  What we should do is look inside of ourselves, and ask a simple question.  Are we doing enough to make the world better?  Is there something more we could or should be doing?  Does God expect more from me?  It is easy to simply look at those things happening around us and

God is still in control.  Turning the other cheek is not about accepting being slapped around.  It is about how do we respond when challenged.  Do we respond with fear, anger, and blame?  Or do we look with courage, love, understanding, and grace?  Do we hold grudges, or do we think as Paul when he said, “When you forgive this man, I forgive him, too. And when I forgive whatever needs to be forgiven, I do so with Christ’s authority for your benefit, so that Satan will not outsmart us.” (2 Corinthians 2:10-11). Let us focus on looking both outward and inward when tragedy strikes to be better Christians.  How will you respond when God prompts you to look inward?  What will you ask God for to be a better servant?  My prayer is that the next time we look outward to the world, we do not just look to blame.  We look at with a heart of Christ to do better and acknowledge that good or bad, this is us.  Amen.

Trust

Proverbs 3:5-6 

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

I know that I used this verse recently however it was really speaking to me again this morning.  I’m facing a number of changes in my life right now and some things seem very uncertain.  Just one of those things, that may sound odd, is that the principal at my son’s school has left.  Now you might think this is not a big deal however I’m on the PTO board and we work very closely with the principal.  The announcement came after all of our planning meetings so we are all kind of trying to figure out what to do about some of those things. 

Right when we think we have things figured out and life is smoothing out, that’s when God laughs and says, but did you trust me with your plan? 

Today I want to encourage you not to trust your own understanding or planning, rather to trust the Lord.