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The Lord is my Shepherd. I have all that I need. Psalm 23:1

What a comforting truth! It’s encouraging to know that God tends to us and watches over us. He provides for us and protects us. Don’t you love thinking of God as the Good Shepherd? Scripture often speaks of the special relationship the Shepherd has with His sheep.

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.”  John 10:27

Usually finding great comfort in the Shepherd, I was recently perplexed. Following a series of disappointments and threatening circumstances, I began to wonder if God had accidentally left me out in the pasture, if He had somehow overlooked me while returning to the sheepfold with the flock. I felt abandoned. And one by one, wolves began to close in on me.

Wolves come in many forms. 

  • The feeling of the enemy and evil closing in, whispering lies and doubt.
  • The darkness of our day – calling good evil and evil good (Isaiah 5:20)
  • A society that seems to have forgotten God and have become hostile to His teachings.
  • Fears of uncertainty for tomorrow
  • Questions about God’s faithfulness and love

The wolves were circling and I sat one morning not long ago pouring out my complaint before the Lord.  

“Lord, do You see me out here?”

“Do You know the wrestling of my heart?”

“Do You care that trouble surrounds me?”

“Have You abandoned and forgotten me?”

In short, I felt alone and in danger.

That very morning, I sat down to read from God’s word. I opened my Bible to Matthew chapter ten – the next chapter in my one-year Bible reading plan. While reading, God answered my cries as a loving Shepherd would with just one sentence.

Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves.  Matt. 10:16

RECORD SCRATCH HERE!

The words leaped off the page.

“Tammy, I have not abandoned you as a sheep among wolves. I am sending you out as a sheep among wolves.”

Wait. What?!

Sure, the idea of being amidst the wolves was daunting, even scary, but knowing God intentionally had me there, caused me to sit up and listen. Oddly, I felt immediately comforted.  

So, God, you meant for me to be here?  

You see these wolves circling me?

You haven’t abandoned or forgotten me?

The answer was a resounding “No!” And I began to unpack the verses that followed. Grabbing my journal, I started to take notes of the account of the first “sheep among wolves” documented in scripture. In this passage, Jesus speaks to His disciples about the mission He has for them. I want to share some insights from the chapter with you.

Take some time today to read this full passage. I share my personal take-always below.

16 “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. 17 Beware of men, for they will deliver you over to courts and flog you in their synagogues, 18 and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the Gentiles. 19 When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. 20 For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.21 Brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death,22 and you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. 23 When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next, for truly, I say to you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes. 24 “A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. 25 It is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household. 26 “So have no fear of them, for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. 27 What I tell you in the dark, say in the light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops. 28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. 30 But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. 

Matt 10:16-31

Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, Are you willing to go out? Or are you too busy hiding from trouble, waiting for the crisis to pass? He created us for THIS day and THIS time and purpose. The Lord is our Shepherd, and He’s sending us out.

so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves: I noticed right off the bat that there is no plea like “Don’t panic!” Or, “Everyone, stay calm!” Instead, there is an expectation for His sheep to be wise and gentle. How is it that He is not worried about sending helpless sheep out to the wolves? Why doesn’t He feel the need to give a speech on the safety of going out in His name. I mean,

We all know sheep are vulnerable.  

Sheep need a protector.  

Sheep are not aggressors.  

Why would the Shepherd pick sheep to go out and do His bidding? 

Here it is!  Because He’s not counting on the power of the sheep. He’s counting on His power in them. And the display of the Shepherd’s power through His helpless sheep serves to bring Him glory and point people to Him. So: 

  1. He’s sending us out.
  2. We are to be wise and gentle. (I don’t think this includes facebook rants, arguments, or public displays of personal piety.) Instead, we are to speak the truth in love. Be humble. Be bold. Be obedient. 
  3. The Shepherd EMPOWERS and EQUIPS the sheep in the moment the need arises. This proves His constant watchful, protection over His sheep. “Do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.” Vs 19-20 
  4. He tells us (His sheep) to “Fear not.” If you read the passage you will see a myriad of troubles the disciples would face – things that we would put on our “no thank you, I’ll pass” list. Scary stuff. And what does God say to His beloved? Fear not. V 26 – So have no fear of them.
    1. Have you ever thought of the fact that God doesn’t cajole or plead His case when He tells us not to fear? He simply says, “Fear not.”  
    2. Do you know that He is entirely aware of the danger to which He calls us? BUT more importantly than that, He knows His limitless power, which He makes available to us. He is not phased, so FEAR NOT.
  5. He reminds us how valuable we are to Him. “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. 30 But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.”  We often quote this passage to express how much God values and loves us, but I honestly don’t know that I ever considered the context in which these words were written. How much more the words mean when we see the command for us to go out into danger in His name. We can go out because:
    1. Not one need will be overlooked, 
    2. Not one prayer will be ignored, 
    3. Not one cry will be unheard.  
    4. He loves us too much to leave us alone.
    5. Victory is promised in Him.

Friend, I went to God the other morning with a complaint. I wanted to be carried out of danger and back into the fold. God responded with a command to go out. I was spending time pitying myself, while God was calling me to be His sheep among wolves – His ambassador. 

What about you? Will you join me? There is something special about knowing the danger we face is God-ordained – that we are not abandoned but called. Understanding that the Shepherd stands with me and fights for me, I will not fear but go where He sends.

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  • Ginny Thomas - Fantastic at 2:25 am on the Lord’s Day, February 14. Happy Valentines Day! Please stay blessed and thank you SO MUCH for making it possible for ALL to hear. May God continue to grow every part of LIFEHOUSE!

  • Fay Barfield - Thank you so much for sharing your God given calling!!

I am often surprised at how God speaks peace to my soul and how His truths are timeless. I wrote the following in 2016 and it speaks perfectly to my heart this morning. Do you need rest? I hope you’re encouraged as well!

Return, O my soul, to your rest; for the LORD has dealt bountifully with you. Psalm 116:7

I feel as though today’s blog post might be fairly short because what I want to share with you is a simple quote.

I don’t know what you are burdened down with today. I don’t know what has gripped you and won’t let go.

Frankly, for me, it’s been fear. I’ve been struggling with fear due to situations outside of my control. Wondering what’s around the bend. And it’s hitting me on many fronts.

But maybe for you it’s pride, or guilt, or doubt, or anger, or addiction, or, well, you fill in the blank.________________.

What are you struggling with right now?

Did you every find yourself in a tumultuous place where your mind and emotions are swirling and spinning around you – only to suddenly be made perfectly still because truth breaks through and anchors your soul in God? It might be a verse, or a song, or a sermon, or a book. You find yourself saying, “That’s just what I needed to hear!”

That was me this morning. I woke up at 4:00AM. I had many concerns on my heart and I felt anxious and fearful. I went to my quiet place to confess these burdens to the Lord and I prayed for reprieve. “God, I know you do not give me the spirit of fear but of power and love and self-control. (2 Tim 1:7) Please help me not to be fearful but to trust you.” Then I waited a bit. Still felt pretty anxious. “God, when will this take effect? Did you hear me say I don’t want to be afraid? I still feel afraid. Should I just sit here until I don’t? Are you working on this just now?”

I took a few moments to read in Isaiah where I left off. Three times I read the words, “Fear not.” Or “Don’t be afraid.” In this passage, God was telling Israel, His chosen people, that they could trust Him and that He would redeem them. He went as far as to say,

Isaiah 43

1 But now, O Jacob, listen to the Lord who created you.

    O Israel, the one who formed you says,

“Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you.

    I have called you by name; you are mine.

2 When you go through deep waters,

    I will be with you.

When you go through rivers of difficulty,

    you will not drown.

When you walk through the fire of oppression,

    you will not be burned up;

    the flames will not consume you.

3 For I am the Lord, your God,

    the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.

And then He goes on to say,

You are honored and I love you. Do not be afraid for I am with you.

That’s great stuff. Right? Look at the character of the God I serve…

But that’s just it. Do I trust Him? That has been the question pressing in…and it kinda stings.

Did you know the King James version of the Bible includes 29 instances of the phrase “be not afraid.” The New American Standard Bible includes the phrases “do not fear” 57 times and “do not be afraid” 46 times. Some argue that “fear not” and similar phrases are present in the bible 365 times.

– from reference.com

I read through these verses. I saw the words. And they had little power to move me. “Do not be afraid.” Why couldn’t I take refuge in the truth I was reading?

Fear comes from feeling you don’t have control over a situation.

But fear for the believer can come from feeling God does not control this situation OR God does not intend to work on your behalf the very best outcome for you.

I think we find out, as Christ followers, very early on that much in life is outside of our control. However, nothing is beyond God’s authority. So our real struggle is not to work through the issue of control when we are afraid as much as it is to work through our fear of trusting God.

Ouch.

So let me get to the one simple quote I read this morning by a Puritan named Richard Sibbes that anchored my soul and calmed the storm of emotions in my heart and mind. Here it is.

If God be God, cling to Him.

If I was a southern preacher, I’d get out a hanky and wave it around. 

That’s it! It was that simple but carried with it a ton of weight. If God be God, cling to Him.

“Tammy, if God be God – if you claim to worship the God of Truth and believe He is who He says He is…here’s your plan of action. Cling. To. Him.

Psalm 63:8 says, My soul clings to You; Your right hand upholds me.

David is speaking here. He’s learned to cling to God.  But let’s look at the passage leading up to this verse. It describes what clinging looks like.

1 O God, you are my God;

    I earnestly search for you.

   My soul thirsts for you;

   my whole body longs for you

   in this parched and weary land

    where there is no water.

2 I have seen you in your sanctuary

    and gazed upon your power and glory.

3 Your unfailing love is better than life itself;

    how I praise you!

4 I will praise you as long as I live,

    lifting up my hands to you in prayer.

5 You satisfy me more than the richest feast.

    I will praise you with songs of joy.

6 I lie awake thinking of you,

    meditating on you through the night.

7 Because you are my helper,

    I sing for joy in the shadow of your wings.

8 I cling to you;

    your strong right hand holds me securely.

David’s focus was not his problems. It was on his God. I realized I had given my problem too much attention and God not enough. So God’s Words of life weren’t reaching my heart.

But this quote…It came to me like a bear hug and God wouldn’t let go until my heart was quiet.

If God be God, cling to Him.

Friend, what’s your burden? Have you made God your God? Well, why not let Him be God over all today. And do what I plan to do…cling to Him!

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  • Joanne E Clement - Thank you for giving me the tools I need now.

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I’ve been reading a book by A W Tozer called The Fire of God’s Presence. It’s had a powerful impact on me, and I believe the greatest takeaway thus far is the reality of my lack of understanding the fear of the Lord: reverence, holiness, awe, lordship. Do I serve the Lord as King of Kings? Do I give Him the highest place in my life? Do I worship the God of the Bible or a watered down version that suits me? I realize that this lack of fully understanding God’s majesty permeates not only my day-to-day, but it affects the hardest thing I’ve ever done – parenting.

My kids are inundated with worldly messages through social media, television, and more. The enemy seeks to make his way in subtlety, like the thief that he is, to steal from them true life, joy, fulfillment, and peace. And at the same time, he seeks to convince them that God is okay with a causal pursuit of Him. He lies and tells them there is plenty of time to do business with God. They have their whole lives ahead of them. Now it’s time to have a little fun. Surely God understands. Oh, that they would continually taste and see that the Lord is good. 

I’m convicted. Do things like what I say in my home, what I watch on TV, and how I live my life speak to my awareness of God’s majesty and glory? Mark and I feel the weight of shepherding our children’s hearts not only in word but in deed. If I don’t “get” reverence, how can I expect to see them revere and honor the Lord? Apart from a miracle of God it just won’t happen.

As I pray for God’s best for them, I must realize that, after Mark, these children are my first and highest responsibility for discipleship and ministry. How am I stewarding this opportunity? 

Truth is, I could do better.

This morning, while reading in 2 Chronicles 22, I saw how a mother’s impact shaped not only the life of her child but a whole people group. What power lies at our disposal as parents! Sadly, her influence was detrimental.  

Ahaziah was twenty-two years old when he began to reign, and he reigned one year in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Athaliah, the granddaughter of Omri. He also walked in the ways of the house of Ahab, for his mother was his counselor in doing wickedly. He did what was evil in the sight of the Lord, as the house of Ahab had done.  2 Chronicles 22:2-4a

“His mother was his counselor in doing wickedly.” What a tragic legacy!

What gripped me about the text was that although we cannot be certain of the choices our children will make, we can undoubtedly shape them for good or for evil by our influence in their lives. The rest is in the hands of God.  

The passage goes on to say, “He did what was evil in the sight of the Lord as the house of Ahab had done.” Ahab was Ahaziah’s grandfather – another influence in his life and another godless testimony.

As I prayed for God to help me better steward the opportunity to impact my kids, I jotted several things that I’ve learned over the years. (This list is in no way exhaustive, but it’s a start.) I share them as questions for us today:

Am I humble? I am not naturally humble. I tend towards pride, rebellion, and selfish desires in my heart. Yet, God graciously convicts me of my sinfulness. As a result, I continually contend with pride that rises up within me—taking credit for what God has done, unwilling to admit my fault before God and my children, ignoring God’s instruction in my own life. If I am going to parent effectively, I must parent humbly before God and my children.

Do I lead them by example? If I don’t want my children behaving a certain way or watching a certain thing, etc., am I leading by example. If I want my children to seek the Lord, am I seeking Him? Notice the verse I shared said that Azahiah’s mother was his counselor in “DOING wickedly.” Wherever I am leading them, I’m leading by example. And that’s a fact.

Am I proclaiming to them the need for rescue and salvation over their need for morality? Am I urging my children to understand their need for the transforming work of Christ in their hearts first and foremost? Or am I touting the importance of being good and doing good? The Bible says, “There are none righteous, no not one.” (Romans 3:10) My kids don’t need to be made better. They need to be made alive in Christ.

Have I surrendered my children to God and His plan for them? Or am I pushing them to accomplish what I had hoped to accomplish but never did? Am I pushing them toward a career path or plan that ensures security or status? Instead, I ask myself, am I encouraging them, by my life and my words, to surrender fully to God and let Him direct their paths, laying their lives at His feet for His service? Am I asking God to have His way in their lives and trusting that He will? Am I willing to do what Hannah did in 1 Samuel 21:27-28:

I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him. So now I give him to the Lord. For his whole life, he will be given over to the Lord.

1 Samuel 21:27-28

Am I praying for them? Am I asking God for their salvation? Am I asking Him to fulfill His purposes for them? Am I praying for my ability to steward them? Because I often fail to know the right thing to do for my kids, I bring a matter before the Lord. Often I assume I know what He will want me to do. Then He speaks, and I find I was way off. He has rescued us from much! He has led me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. He has shown me mercy and grace, helping me in my time of need. Prayer is also a tool to encourage me to trust when God is working behind the scenes, when prayers seem to go unanswered, when I must believe in faith, and when His answers are not mine. Prayer (and Scripture) helps me to come to know the character of God. This helps me to trust what I cannot see.

Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Hebrews 4:16

Friend, God LOVES our children. They are uniquely designed and placed in our care for a short time. There’s not another child like each of them. God thought it good to give them to us to grow and nurture – to teach them to know and love Him. What a gift and what a responsibility! 

But maybe you feel as I often do. “God, I’ve blown it!” Don’t despair. The weight of the work rests on Him. He only asks us to surrender our lives and our children to Him. (I say that as if it’s easy. I find surrender to be my greatest obstacle to His power being poured out. But God is at work giving me the power and desire to do what pleases Him. Phil 2:13)

“God, how do I parent today?” 

“How do I parent through this difficult season?”  

“How do I point my children to you when they seem uninterested?”

“How do I make up for lost time?” 

It’s never too late to take all your worries, questions, fears, and regrets and roll them over, along with yourself, onto His mighty arms and ask Him to carry you on.  

His shoulders are big.  

His power is unlimited.

His work is perfect.

His grace is sufficient.

His love is for You and Your Children.

His invitation is, “Come.”

Will you? 

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Last night I climbed into bed, and before I docked my phone, I decided to scroll for a few minutes on Facebook. Almost immediately, I came across a few photos shared by a friend, and I had to stop to take it in. Wow! What a mess! I mean really take a minute and look at that picture on the left.

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How in the world does a child get themselves into such a mess? The story has a happy ending that does not involve shaving the child’s head. Surprisingly, (as you can see in the photo on the right) the mother was able to patiently remove all the tangles and save the day.

I remember as a little girl (probably 5 or 6 years old) plopping down on my bed and throwing my head back on my pillow as my gum flew from my mouth, landing in my long hair. At that moment, I could hear the words of my mother echoing in my mind, “Spit that gum out before you lay down.” Oh, no!

Instinctively I grabbed at the wad of gum and started to tug, but I only squished it deeper into my hair. I hurried to my craft box and pulled out some safety scissors. Useless! So I guess they live up to their name. I’m not sure they could even cut paper.

I would have to resort to going to my parents and asking for help. But what would they say?! What would they do!? Would I have to get my hair cut short like my brother?! I ignored my mom’s instruction because big girls know how to chew gum while they lie on their bed. Famous last words.

To my amazement, my dad took a solvent from the garage and slathered it onto the gum in my hair. It immediately loosened the gum, and they were able to comb it out. Plus, I smelled of oranges for a few days. Refreshing! My parents were always able to save the day. I don’t know why I didn’t immediately go to them.

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Funny thing is, I AM a big girl now and I STILL sometimes ignore sound instruction. I still sometimes find myself in a tangled mess. I was in this very place not long ago when I sat down early in the morning, as I am in the habit of doing, to spend some quiet time with God. Although I felt so distant from the Lord, I whispered my hope that something would change. Then God gave me this passage:

175 Let my soul live and praise you,
and let your rules help me.
176 I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek your servant,
for I do not forget your commandments.
Psalm 119:175-176

Here King David finds himself far from the Lord.

Wait, wasn’t David a man after God’s own heart? Yes.

So David found himself far from God sometimes? Yes.

Here we see He had wandered from God and he now desperately longs to once again experience intimate fellowship with Him. Feeling this was just what the doctor ordered, I spent time really unpacking these two short verses and learning everything I could about them.

I think this might really encourage you too! David says:

Let my soul live. Not just in the sense of physical life. What does he mean here? “Quicken me; give me true life in my soul and spirit – my real self.”

David knows the difference between existing and truly living that real life that only from knowing God.

Let my soul praise You. “My praise will ever be of You” – for Your help to me.

David expresses, “I am helpless. And when God rescues me, my soul will be filled with praise.”

Let Your rules help me. – “Let the course of your providence be such as to help me to praise You.” David longs to walk in the providence of God because God’s way/providence is life-giving. (Quotations above from Pulpit Commentary)

David knows the promises of God. He was familiar with the ways of God. He knew that God was abundant in mercy and steadfast love. He longed to thrive under God’s providential care.

But, see, there’s a problem. He’s far from God in a tangled mess.

I have gone astray like a lost sheep.

Have you ever found yourself there – not only feeling far from the Lord but tangled up there and unable to find your way back to Him? STUCK?! Perhaps you feel Frozen. Numb. Overwhelmed. Weak. You can shake free from the tangled mess that brought you far from God’s rule and protection.

David relates and look at what he said to the Lord:

Seek Your servant. I LOVE THIS! David didn’t pull out the safety scissors. He was in such despair he called out to God, knowing He would listen and answer. He says, “Seek your servant! Because I don’t know how to help myself back to you!”

Friend, do you know if you cry out to God right now, He will come and “seek His servant?” How humbling. How loving and merciful. He will gently untangle all that concerns you and bring you back under His loving care.

Whether you realize it or not, in His loving care is where we all long to be. How wonderful to know that He is a God that would seek us out, set us free and bring us home!!!

For I do not forget your commandments. But it seemed like David DID forget God’s commands. I mean, he was tangled and lost. Did he end the prayer this way in order to convince God to come and get him? No. David didn’t say that to bring attention to his “holiness/goodness.”

So what does this mean? I studied this phrase in the original text and found that the words from Barnes Notes on the Bible say it best.

In all my wandering, with my consciousness of error; with my sense of guilt, I still do feel that I love Your law – Your service – Your commandments. They are the joy of my heart, and I desire to be recalled from all my wanderings, that I may find perfect happiness in You and in Your service evermore.

David knows freedom and joy are found under God’s law of love. And so He calls out to God, “Oh, please come and get me and bring be back!

Friend, can you relate?

I know I can. Life gets busy. Distractions and troubles creep in. And before you know it, you don’t recognize the landscape. Maybe you are tangled in emotions that make a clear path even harder to discern. I was in that very place the morning God showed me this passage as an answer to a half/hearted prayer.

“Seek your servant.”
I will come and find you. I will bring you back.

God? You will do it? You come and untangle this mess and bring me back home?

Yes, He did it for David. He did it for me. And He will do it for you.

Maybe it’s time to put down the safety scissors and cry out to God to seek His servant. He will come swiftly and bring you home.

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I remember Hudson’s last year of basketball at Middletown Highschool. At one of the games, in particular, I witnessed an encounter that has had a lasting impression on me. 

Middletown was playing its rival team, and one of the players had transferred over from that team to Middletown. I’m not sure of the details as to why he transferred, but as I watched him play that night, I noticed he was full of nervous energy. It seemed he had a lot to prove in this game. He was all over the court. In general, he was an excellent player and contributed to many of the successes that year, but in this particular game, he began to unravel.  

The referee called several fouls on him back to back, and the coach stopped the game. He brought the player off the court to cool down. I watched as the player slumped in the chair next to the assistant coach, grumbling and contesting. He was heaving, trying to catch his breath, and visibly upset. I looked away for a moment, and when I turned back, I saw the assistant coach, who was a big teddy bear of a guy, wrap his arms around him and begin rocking, holding the player’s head to his chest and calming him like a child. He almost swallowed him up. “Shhh, shhh, shhh.” He repeated over and over. He didn’t let go. No words. No lecture. Just an effort to soothe and calm him. I kept staring, a smile wide across my face. This boy needed a good ole fashion bear hug. And that’s what he got. After a long moment, this tough player, with seemingly a lot on the line, began to respond to the coach’s efforts to comfort him, and he started to relax.  

As I watched, at first, I smiled. Then I chuckled a little bit. I thought, are they even allowed to hug students? He could probably get in trouble for this. But the moment was perfect. His compassion and care for his player moved me. I’m playing over in my mind even now—what a special moment. I don’t know that I’ll ever forget it.

I look around today, and everything seems to be growing dark. I see a lot of confusion. I see turmoil, fear. I see tensions rising and lines being drawn. Many are scrambling to make sense of it all. Many are claiming to know the endgame. In the noise and the fray, my tendency is to collect the data and come to a conclusion of my own. I frantically race to sort it out…all “according to God’s will” of course. If I could just get all the pieces to fit together, if only this or that would come to be, then all will be well. But what I really need is a timeout. I need to STOP.  

STOP! Have a seat.

Do you need to stop?  

Oh, that we would let God wrap us in His embrace and console us with His providential care! Oh, that we would hear His words of comfort and take them in, allowing them to shape our thoughts and renew our minds!

Friends, I have been convicted that God does not desire me to claim His plan as my own and then pile on top of that all the “what if”s and “I hope”s that promise resolution, peace, and safety in the face of trouble. Just lead me to the Rock that is higher than I.  

1Hear my cry, O God,
listen to my prayer;
2from the end of the earth I call to you
when my heart is faint.
Lead me to the rock
that is higher than I,
3for you have been my refuge,
a strong tower against the enemy.

Psalm 61:1-3 

Friend, I am making it my choice to hope solely in the Lord. To sit down and be swallowed up in His loving embrace. No plan B.

Over the past few days, Psalm 20:7 continues to run through my mind.  

Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God. 

Psalm 20:7

When I become anxious, God says to my heart. “What are you trusting in?” The quick answer is, “You, of course!”  

But the truth might not be so cut and dry. 

This morning, I confessed my struggle to the Lord and He showed His faithfulness to me by pointing me to a verse to start my day.  

Let me hear in the morning of Your steadfast love, for in You I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.

Psalm 143:8

I am watching the sun warm the horizon, and I’m reminded of His loving, calming embrace.  

He is faithful and good.  

He is steadfast.  

He is full of mercy.  

He is in control.

I pray with the psalmist this morning and invite you to make this your prayer:

3Send out your light and your truth;
let them lead me;
let them bring me to your holy hill
and to your dwelling!

4Then I will go to the altar of God,
to God my exceeding joy,
and I will praise you with the lyre,
O God, my God.

5Why are you cast down, O my soul,
and why are you in turmoil within me?
Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,
my salvation and my God.

Psalm 43:3-5

Friends, I leave you this morning with a devotion from a book gifted to me by a dear friend called “When You Call Upon The Lord.”  

“In a time of change and crisis, we need to be much in prayer, not only on our knees, but in that sweet form of inward prayer, in which the spirit is constantly offering itself up to God, asking to be shown His will; soliciting that it may be impressed upon its surface as the heavenly bodies photograph themselves on prepared paper. Wrapt in prayer like this, the trustful believer may tread the deck of the ocean steamer night after night, sure that He who points the stars their courses will not fail to direct the soul which has no other aim than to do His will.”   – F.B. Meyer

“We bring upon ourselves many a sorrow by preferring our own way to God’s. His will is the way of peace and highest blessedness.” – Charles Cook

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