Where Trust is Complete

The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped. Therefore my heart rejoices, and I praise Him with my song. – (Psalm 28:7, HCSB)

The Lord is my strength and my shield. I trusted Him with all my heart. He helped me, so I am happy. I sing songs of praise to Him. – (Psalm 28:7, ERV)

The Eternal is the source of my strength and the shield that guards me. When I learn to rest and truly trust Him, He sends His help. This is why my heart is singing! I open my mouth to praise Him, and thankfulness rises as a song. – (Psalm 28:7, VOICE)

God is good and He is faithful to be our strength and shield as we trust in Him. Knowing His protection and provision, we cannot help but praise Him with gratitude for His goodness. I love that our natural inclination is to have a song in our heart when we are grateful. We were created with the capacity to praise, and it seems to flow freely when we recognize God’s goodness and love as He protects and strengthens us. May we ever seek the Lord, for He is our Source of strength and the One who guards our hearts.

O God, be our strength,

For You are so good;

The shield that guards us,

True hope understood.

Lead us to Your rest,

Where trust is complete;

Show Your faithfulness,

In You we retreat.

Let praise rise in us,

As thanks we declare;

All blessings in You,

The Lord God who cares.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that Your love strengthens and protects us as we walk out our days. Thank You that Your all-encompassing love is our reason to praise. Forgive us for the times that our trust falters because of what we can and cannot see. Teach us to trust and rely on You in all things and at all times. Show us how to love those around us well and how to praise You with all that we are. May many come into a lasting relationship with You as they recognize and come to know Your goodness. Be glorified O God, as we sing praise with thankful hearts unto You. Amen.

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

But I have trusted in Your faithful love; my heart will rejoice in Your deliverance. – Psalm 13:5

Called to Live in Peace

And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. – (Colossians 3:15, NLT)

 

This is such a timely scripture, as hearts are often unsettled as we approach the holiday season. Sometimes the unrest is due to overscheduling, but others are dealing with grieving losses that are magnified during this festive time of year. Our peace can only come from Christ. When we seek Him first, and rely on Him to rule and reign in our hearts, His peace comes and helps us live accordingly. If we are at peace within ourselves, it is far easier to be at peace with those around us. We tend to be bothered less by the little things, and more apt to extend grace to those around us. It is in this space that we recognize the remarkable that our Redeemer has done in and around us, and thankfulness cannot help but bubble up within our hearts. May we seek the Lord and His peace, so that we may be at peace within ourselves and those around us. Let thankfulness rise up and flow freely from our lips for His great faithfulness and the hope that is held forever in Him.

 

In spaces of stress,

May we offer peace;

For Christ within us,

Brings hope that won’t cease.

We are one body,

Called to live as one;

Loving each other,

’til our days are done.

Let thanks fill our hearts,

For God and His love;

For His peace that reigns,

May hope rise above.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that the peace that passes all understanding is available in You. Thank You that You equip and empower us to live in peace with one another as Your body. Forgive us for not seeking Your strength to be at peace within ourselves or with those around us. Teach us to trust You more for what we need to operate as agents of peace, especially during this season of giving thanks. Show us how to love and bless others well, so that they may know Your peace as we extend Your goodness and grace to those around us. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we allow Your peace to rule in our hearts and seek to live in peace with those around us. All thanks to You, Lord, now and forever. Amen.

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

Show me Your ways, O Lord, teach me Your paths; …my hope is in You all day long. – Psalm 25:4-5