Within Us

God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day. – (Psalm 46:5, NIV)

The True God never sleeps and always resides in the city of joy; He makes it unstoppable, unshakable. When it awakes at dawn, the True God has already been at work. – (Psalm 46:5, VOICE)

God is in the midst of His city, secure and never shaken. At daybreak His help will be seen with the appearing of the dawn. – (Psalm 46:5, TPT)

 

David’s declaration of God’s faithfulness in song, as found in Psalm 46, was a proclamation of how God remains faithful and keeps His people secure. It is a reminder that the Lord never stops moving on our behalf, and that we are made aware anew each morning, as the dawn of each day appears. Though the phrasing of the NIV is in reference to an entire people group, I appreciate how it makes it feel more personal. When I imagine the words are from God’s heart to mine, reminding me that He is within me (and mom) and that we will not fall; that He will help us at the break of day, I find renewed hope and strength, trust and resolve. This morning, this feels especially true, as I am rested and restored, after mom only woke once in the night, and it was after a five-hour stretch. Her appointment yesterday was encouraging, as we so appreciated meeting with a neurosurgeon who was clearly practicing for the intent and purpose of helping people. Though his specialty is surgical, his recommendation for mom was on that would be far less invasive, with little to no recovery time. Rather than take on something himself, he was quick to make a referral for something far less complicated; clearly holding mom’s healing and rehabilitation in mind. We left the appointment encouraged, with an ongoing appreciation for the care that is available in mom’s home town. Incredibly, mom had a fantastic physical therapy session prior to her appointment, despite here lack of sleep, and continues to make great gains as she works on walking with a walker up and down her hallway.

After the appointment, we had called in an order for fresh spring rolls from our favorite place in town. We made a quick stop to pick them up, and then headed home. Astonishingly, mom only took a 45-minute siesta after lunch, and was up and alert the remainder of the afternoon. Once we had finished dinner and settled in to watch a movie, mom began to fade quickly. Though she attempted to fend off the exhaustion, sleep overtook her, and she dozed in her comfy chair by 7:30. We called it a night at 8:00 pm, and she was snoozing away in her bed within thirty minutes. God truly has us; He won’t let us fall; He helps us anew every morning. May we trust in He who is faithful forever; for He is always good.

 

God is within us,

With Him, we won’t fall;

He’ll help us anew,

With each new day’s call.

The Lord never sleeps,

He’s ever aware;

He knows all our needs,

And answers with care.

Grants rest when weary,

Hope in our dismay;

Peace in our unrest,

Help for each new day.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that Your love is unfailing and never ending. Thank You that You do not sleep and are ever watching over us. Forgive us for our frustration in our own weariness. Teach us to trust You more, as You are our Source and Supply. Thank You that with You in us, we will not fall, and that You will help us with the dawn of each new day. Show us how to love those around us in a way that offers help and hope to press on, even on the most discouraging of days. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we rise with You in us. Amen.

 

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

 

He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” – Psalm 46:10

Sharing a Shoulder

Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ. – (Galatians 6:2, NLT)

Help each other with your troubles. When you do this, you are obeying the law of Christ. – (Galatians 6:2, ERV)

Shoulder each other’s burdens, and then you will live as the law of the Anointed teaches us. – (Galatians 6:2, VOICE)

 

At my church, there has been a phrase that has been spoken many times over the years. I always knew that it was Biblically based, but never really thought about the specific reference from which it may have been derived. However, this morning, this seems a fitting verse to align with the statement, “At Grace, no one stands alone.” The statement is a direct affirmation of a commitment to be obedient to share each others burdens so that no one is attempting to carry the weight on their own. Whatever the challenge, it is lessened when another chooses to join in the journey. Often when we help one another, we end up being helped ourselves in the process. There is a discovery of strength and help and grace, as we walk beside another in the strain of their struggle. May we rise up and look to help one another bear the burdens that life brings, so that we are walking in obedience to Christ and recognizing the power that is present as we choose to obey.

 

The Lord is calling, 

So that we might see;

Each other’s burdens,

Places where there’s need.

We are meant to share,

The weight of their load;

To help them travel,

Where they’re meant to go.

As we opt rise up,

And help bear the weight;

It’s as God has called,

His peace shall be great.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You call us to share each others burdens so that we have tangible help through You. Thank You that as we walk alongside one another, we are being obedient to what You ask of us. Forgive us for attempting to shoulder the weight of our woes alone, or for neglecting to reach out to those that we know are in need. Teach us to trust You more, so that we would rely on You to lead us to those we are meant to walk beside, and receive the help from others that You provide. Show us how to love those around us who are bearing heavy burdens, so that we might help lessen their loads. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we help one another in times of trouble, just as You are present to help each of us. Amen.

 

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

 

Because of the tender mercy of our God, …the rising sun will come to us from heaven. – Luke 1:78

His Help Sustains

“Surely God is my help; the Lord is the One who sustains me.” – (Psalm 54:4)

 

As I read this morning’s passages, this verse in Psalm 54, commanded my attention. Though they were David’s words in reference to his own struggles with Saul and his insanity that was constantly trying to kill him, (among other challenges), I could not help but relate it to Jesus and what He must have been going through on this day, so many years ago. He knew the horrors He would willingly have to endure to make the way for mankind to become reconciled back to right relationship with the Father. Jesus also knew that He would be betrayed and abandoned by His dearest friends in His greatest hour of need. After time in the upper room with the disciples, Jesus knew He needed to go to the garden to pray, to commune with God, His help and the One who sustained Him when all others were unable to so much as stay awake and keep watch.

 

People are flawed, and cannot nor should not be our ultimate source of help and hope. Yes, God gives us amazing people in our lives to help, encourage, lift up, and walk beside – but ultimately, our help comes from Him. He is the One who sustains us, and the Lord is our help and our hope. Because of what He willingly went through all those years ago, first in the garden, then before Pilot and Herod and the rest, what He endured on both the ground and while He hung on that cross – was all for us – for you and me, individually, so that we could come to Him and trust Him to be our help and our hope. If not even death can defeat Christ, how can we not trust Him to be our help in all things?

 

Surely You are,

my help and my strength;

sustaining One,

Who goes to great lengths.

You bore my sin,

and all of my shame;

so I might know,

the hope in Your Name.

O Lord, my God,

again I’m amazed;

at Your great love,

I give You all praise.

I place my trust,

in Your mighty hands;

Your will be done,

by Your grace, I stand.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are our help and the One who sustains us. Thank You for sending Your Son to make the way for us to have access to You and know You as our personal Savior. Thank You that You are not God out there, but You are God right here, dwelling in the hearts of all who believe. Forgive us for not turning to You when troubles come, or for attempting to take on trials in our own strength. Thank You that You love us so much that You provide Your help and strength, and often, You provide people too. Help us to be available to those around us, so that You may use us to encourage and build up the body. May we love others as You love us, and may many come to know You as their help and their hope this Easter weekend. Be glorified, Lord God. Amen.

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

You have made known to me the paths of life; You will fill me with joy in Your presence.

– Acts 2:28