But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one. – (2 Thessalonians 3:3, NIV)
But the Lord is faithful; He will strengthen and guard you from the evil one. – (2 Thessalonians 3:3, HCSB)
But the Master never lets us down. He’ll stick by you and protect you from evil. – (2 Thessalonians 3:3, MSG)
The twenty-one day devotional that I am currently studying gives passages to read and follows with questions for prayer and contemplation. Above, is the passage that caught my attention and is what I have read again and again. I can testify to His faithfulness and how He has strengthened and protected me again and again. What caught me off-guard is the question “Are there people about whom God needs to remind you that your battle is not with them?” Initially, I thought, “Nah, I’m good. I don’t have any beef with anyone.” Literally seconds after I read and pondered the question, a truck and large trailer came into our neighborhood and spent several minutes working to get into their driveway as my dogs ferociously barked at them. This particular home has traffic in and out all day and night, every single day. We are quite certain there is illegal activity afoot, and their ongoing actions are the frustration of the neighborhood and our local precinct. In that moment, I realized that I have never prayed for them. In the more than five years that we have lived here and witnessed concerning activity, I have not asked God to show Himself to them. God quickened to my heart to pray for them and to ask Him to deal with the comings and goings that are constant to that house. Now, rather than becoming irritated with the uninvited extra traffic that sets our dogs on high alert, I instead will choose to pray for revelation, repentance and renewal. The Lord can change what we cannot, and His ways are always better. Despite the chaos and craziness that has transpired in the back corner of our neighborhood, He has protected our family and our home. God has been faithful, despite the potential for problems. May we ever remember that God is with us to strengthen and protect us, and He calls us to allow Him to be the One to deal with the battles that we cannot clearly see.
The Lord is faithful,
He strengthens, protects;
His love knows no end,
the way, He directs.
Battles before us,
are not just our own;
if given to God,
His goodness is shown.
His is the power,
the way change occurs;
as we give Him room,
His grace He ensures.
Grace to choose lift up,
others unto Him;
and circumstances,
needing change within.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are faithful forever and that You strengthen and protect us from evil. Thank You that You alone are the One to truly bring change in the hearts of people. Forgive us for the times that we have neglected to ask You to bring change in the spaces where Your help, hope, and love are needed most. Teach us to pray so that we may ever place things into Your hands, for You are equipped to do exceedingly more than we could hope or imagine. Lead us to love as You love. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we trust You in all things and praise You for Your faithful provision of strength and protection as we navigate each new day. Amen.
© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. – Isaiah 41:10