God is Our Help

Surely God is my help; the Lord is the one who sustains me. – (Psalm 54:4, NIV)

Look, my God will help me. My Lord will support me. – (Psalm 54:4, ERV)

But see now! God comes to rescue me; the Lord is my valiant supporter. – (Psalm 54:4, VOICE)

Yesterday afternoon, I witnessed beautiful examples of exactly this. A lifelong friend recently lost her older brother, suddenly, in a fatal car crash. Though in anguish over the loss, it was overwhelmingly evident that she and her family were being granted strength and sustained through Him as the service transpired. Jill, who lost not only her brother and only sibling, but through this tragedy, also lost one of her very best friends. Despite the weight of the grief, she was able to beautifully share who he was and how he loved and was loved by all. The eulogy she delivered was one with laughter and tears, and though I knew him not, I feel as if I somehow had after hearing her heart. Additionally, lifelong family friends of the family include a family that took me in as one of their own in a season that I needed it most. My mom was living out-of-state in that season, so they provided a place to come spend time and be included and embraced. The closeness I felt back then, flooded my heart as I was able to embrace each of them. God is amazing in how He helps and supports us. Each of us have navigated our own heartaches and mountain tops, and being able to connect and share is one of the ways I think that God helps, supports and sustains us tangibly. Though I know the ache of the loss will never go away, I can already see the hope that they each hold in knowing they will one day see each other again in glory. May we each seek and rely on the Lord, for He is our help and our hope, and He is faithful to sustain us through every season.

Throughout each season,

for our whole life long;

the Lord is faithful,

to help make us strong.

He grants strength of heart,

through love and support;

His hands will hold us,

bring us to safe port.

Our anchor throughout,

all that this life brings;

the Lord’s ever near,

and why our hearts sing.

Thank You, Lord Jesus,

that You’re always good;

through good times and bad,

Your love’s understood.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are our help and the One who sustains us through all that life brings. Thank You that You are faithful, and that You make Your love and care for us tangible through community. Thank You for the gift of family and friends whom You have intentionally placed in our lives. Thank You for the opportunities to be reunited both here and into forever. Forgive us for the times that we try to muscle our way through difficulties, rather than lean on You and recognize the help You have supplied all around us. Teach us to trust You and to be quick to recognize those whom You have provided to walk beside us through all things. Show us how to love, support and encourage those around us in authentic community. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we praise You for who You are and how You love, support, help and hold us through all things throughout our life. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure… – Hebrews 6:19a

Knowing Our Own Need

In Luke 7:36-50, the story of Jesus being anointed by the sinful woman is unpacked. I love the scene that my mind’s eye imagines, as the Pharisee, who has invited Jesus to dinner, likely to show Him how “great” he was, was quite put out when this immoral woman showed up and began hanging out at the feet of Jesus. It even went so far as to record what Simon (the Pharisee) said to himself, “If this Man were a prophet, He would know what kind of woman is touching Him. She’s a sinner!” (Luke 7:39, NLT)

The sinful woman was fully aware of her sin. She was repentant as she knelt at the feet of Jesus and washed them with her tears and dried them with her hair. Additionally, she anointed his feet with perfume and continued to cover them with kisses.

Simon just did not get it. Jesus wanted to be sure that he did. He stopped Simon in his tracks, and told him a story of two men being forgiven their debts. One was forgiven a small debt, the other, a much larger debt. When Jesus asked Simon which man would love more, Simon was able to reply, “The one who had been forgiven more.”

It does not appear that Simon had some sort of great revelation for himself and his own need for forgiveness, but at least it seems he gained a glimpse of why the woman’s weeping and washing of Jesus’ feet with her hair was an act of worship.

This story has many points, but the two that stand out the most are that we need to recognize our own necessity to repent, and that it is not our position to determine a person’s heart when they come before the Lord. We all have a past, and those who have been forgiven much, love much. May we ever seek the Lord and His forgiveness, so that we may go forth and love as He loves.

 

There’s no “good enough”,

Artwork by Sylvia Carlton

Nor penance required;

Instead, we can come,

Presence is desired.

Jesus says draw near,

Despite where we’ve been;

He longs to forgive,

Wash away our sin.

As we choose take pause,

Truly recognize;

His mercy granted,

Great love realized.

As we’re forgiven,

Let us likewise love;

So others too know,

Hope in Christ above.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You show us such beautiful examples of forgiveness and gratitude for Your mercy and grace. Thank You that You call us to be gracious and merciful as You are full of mercy and grace toward us all. Forgive us for the times that we either viewed others as less than, or ourselves as more than we should. Teach us to see ourselves and others through Your lens – as loved and in need of a Savior. Help us to love well, all those around us, so that they may see Your heart through our mercy and grace. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we love without limits, and forgive as we have been forgiven. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Moreno and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. – Galatians 5:22-23