True Source of Strength

I lift my eyes to the mountains – where does my help come from? My help comes the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. – (Psalm 121:1-2, NIV)

I look up to the mountains; does my strength come from mountains? No, my strength comes from God, who made heaven, and earth, and mountains. – (Psalm 121:1-2, MSG)

I look up to the mountains and hills, longing for God’s help. But then I realize that our true help and protection come only from the Lord, our Creator who made the heavens and the earth. – (Psalm 121:1-2, TPT)

 

The beauty and majesty found in creation are tangible reminders of the power and goodness of God. Even as a small child, I remember seeing the first star of the evening and beginning with a wish that would soon transform into a prayer to the very One who hung the stars in the sky. That same heart is still reminded of God’s grace and strength at the sight of the work of His hands. Today is a day that many of us will never forget. I still remember my drive to work as the news came over the radio that a plane had hit one of the Twin Towers. Upon arrival, I, with so many others, turned on the TV in my classroom to watch in horror as the footage of the horrific events unfolded. The images will forever be etched in my mind. As I drove home that day, I took in the view of the mountain, and was reminded that the same God who made majestic mountains, could bring beauty from the ashes of so much destruction. Though we may never understand why such tragedies occur this side of heaven, the stories of redemption and beauty and overcoming have risen from the ashes. People who were touched by the tragedy, hold their loved ones a little tighter and do not take a single day for granted. Spouses, siblings and children of those who were lost, have gone on to accomplish great things in honor of their loved ones. May we ever look to the Lord, our Creator, to be our help, as He is the true source of strength.

 

No matter what comes,

We must realize;

That God is the One,

Who gives strength to rise.

Rise from the ashes,

When all seemed but lost;

Rise from the rubble,

For He paid the cost.

No matter the darkness,

The Lord is the light;

His love and His grace,

Set wrong things to right.

O Lord, be our strength,

When trials come near;

Grant courage to rise,

In the face of fear.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You have created so much beauty that reminds us of Your goodness and strength. Thank You that often, as we see the work of Your hands, our gaze is lifted to You. Forgive us for not looking to You to be the light in every darkness, or for celebrating creation rather than the Creator. Teach us to trust You more, so that we would seek You to be our help, and praise You in all things and at all times, as You alone are our strength and supply. Show us how to love those around us in a way that brings light and life, goodness and grace into spaces where there is none. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we recognize where we find help that lasts. Amen.

 

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

So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?” – Hebrews 13:6

Healed By His Hands

“But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him to his feet, and he stood up.” – Mark 9:27

This verse is what follows the record of Jesus healing a boy from an evil spirit.  As the spirit left the boy, it made him convulse so violently that he appeared to be dead.  As He had done so many times before, Jesus reached out His hand.  As Jesus took the boy by the hand, the decidedly dead rose up to his feet.  From death to life with the touch of His hands.

How often does God still use an extended heart and hand to heal?

photo by Panthercut

– The phone call in the middle of a struggle that supplies strength

– A hug that offers hope in the midst of heartache

– That friend that comes and sits beside us in the face of fear, and fuels our fortitude to fight

These are but a few examples of His faithfulness to us, made tangible.  His touch extended through the voice, heart and hand of another.  Though He whispers to our own hearts, He sees our need to be known, and supplies His help and heart through His kids.

I know the reverse to be true as well.  There are times when I feel compelled, seemingly out of the blue, to call another, or send a message of encouragement.  Still other times, though I am not naturally a “hugger”, I am moved to draw near to another, extending arms and heart.  In those moments, He will use our willingness to walk where He has asked, to make tangible His heart and hands to the hurting.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You sent Your Son to show the way and make a way for each of us to know You, and in turn, honor You with our actions.  Forgive us for the times that we shrug off a prompting presented by Your Spirit, and help us to hear and obey, on time.  Teach us to trust You and Your timing, and lead us to love as You are calling us to.  May our hands, hearts and words extend hope and healing to the hurting.  Let Your light and love be bright in us.  Amen.

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