Strength and a Sure Path

It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure. – (2 Samuel 22:33, NIV)

God is my strong fortress. He clears the path I need to take. – (2 Samuel 22:33, ERV)

God is my strong fortress; He has made me safe. – (2 Samuel 22:33, TLB)

 

Returning home after a long leave away, launched me into a season of scheduled busy that keeps me moving from early morning until the time I lie down to sleep each night. Though I would not trade it, on days such as this, I have to pause and reflect, and recognize that I only reached Friday by God’s grace and strength, with His guidance. He has protected my boys as they have begun the venture of driving solo, and granted each of us strength to return to the routine of the school year. Currently, this also includes crazy, busy weekends for all of us. God is good, and He knows our needs and is generous and kind to meet them. He makes a way for us to navigate securely, and shows us what to prioritize to maintain peace. May we ever seek our Savior to be our strength and fortress, and to show us the way that He is leading us to go.

As for mom, I imagine she is seeking the Lord to be her strength and security too, as she adapts to the new schedule in Oregon at my sister’s. With my nephews back at school, and sister and brother-in-love back to work, she has a “Visiting Angel” spending time with her during the day in their absence, and is continuing to adjust to discovering a new routine with new care-givers during the day. Mom is resilient and kind, and I know will continue to work tirelessly toward recovering with her eyes on the prize; ever pursuing her total independence again.

 

The Lord is our strength,

Keeps the way secure;

Grants hope for today,

Help so we endure.

In all our trials,

And each victory;

God will be present,

Love’s delivery.

All thanks be to God,

For His faithfulness;

As we are transformed,

By His graciousness.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are our strength and that You make our path secure. Thank You that You provide and guide, even when we feel weary or wonder how the way will even be possible. Forgive us for the times that we allow the obstacles or heaviness to cloud our faith, rather than look to You. Teach us to trust You, for You are far greater than anything that lies before us or comes our way. Show us how to love those around us in a way that extends strength and hope and direction. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we praise You for Your guidance, strength and love that lead us well. Amen.

 

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

 

The Lord is my strength and my defense; He has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise Him, my father’s God, and I will exalt Him. – Exodus 15:2

Strength to Stay the Course

It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect. – (2 Samuel 22:33)

 

When we seek the Lord, He not only is our Strong Fortress, but He grants us the strength that we need. The second half of the verse, “and makes my way perfect“, had me hung up for a few moments. As I dug a bit deeper and read several different translations of the Bible for the same verse, I gained a clearer picture of what David was actually saying. In the ERV, it says “He clears the path I need to take.” In TLB it states “He has made me safe.” Lastly, in The Voice, He “puts the upright on His way.” The “perfect” is the path that the Lord has for us. His plans, not our own. Though we may not see the obstacles and hurdles that we have to overcome as anything near perfect, they are often allowed as part of His perfect plan to grow us and refine us to become a clearer reflection of Him. He keeps us safe and arms us with His strength as He leads us on His way. May we trust in Him who equips us with what we need, and shows us which way we are meant to go.

 

The Lord is our strength,

those in Him, He’ll arm;

He’ll show us His path,

and keep us from harm.

He calls us upright,

and leads us along;

when we seek His face,

the Lord makes us strong.

So trust in the Lord,

and seek Him alone;

His path will be clear,

and strength shall be shown.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are our strong fortress, and that You show us the path that we are meant to take. Thank You that You do not merely show us where to go, but You lead us, equip us, strengthen and protect us, every step of the way. Thank You that You are our strength and our power, and all that we need to walk in Your way. Forgive us for fearing the rough road before us, and teach us to trust in You, our strength and our safety. Lead us to walk boldly wherever You call us to go, and help us to love others with the same fearlessness. May many find faith in You as we walk in obedience to where You call us. Be glorified O God, as we trust You to arm us with strength and may our way be made perfect in You. Amen.

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

Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy. – Hebrews 4:16