No Fear in His Hands

Don’t worry – I am with you. Don’t be afraid – I am your God. I will make you strong and help you. I will support you with my right hand that brings victory. – (Isaiah 41:10, ERV)

Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand. – (Isaiah 41:10, NLT)

 

This is a great reminder for us all. I find it to be extra timely today, as both of my boys will be going on their first drive with the instructor for driver’s education. They have been practicing with me, but have a healthy respect, and sometimes fear, as they sit in the driver’s seat. I know they are both a bit nervous, but this is not something they need to fear, as God will go before them, remain with them, and be guiding their hands. Any time that we go forth into an unknown, there is opportunity for fear to rise. However, if we keep in mind Who is our strength and remains ever present with us, there is no reason for us to be afraid. May we ever leave worry and fear behind and trust in the Lord who is our strength and help, and brings victory as He holds us in His hands.

 

Let not worry rise,

Do not be afraid;

For God is our strength,

His path has been laid.

Instead, look to God,

For He makes us strong;

We’re held in His hands,

Through all our days long.

Victory is found,

As we trust His grace;

He’ll give what we need,

To run well our race.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are with us so we do not need to be afraid. Thank You that You make us strong as You help us and support us with Your hands. Forgive us for attempting to walk alone, rather than seeking You. Teach us to trust You more, so that we would come to the place where true strength is found. Show us how to love all whom we encounter in a way that encourages and strengthens each one. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we rely on Your presence and Your strength as You hold us up with Your hands. Amen.

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

I thank and praise You, O God of my fathers: You have given me wisdom and power. – Daniel 2:23

Come Close to Rest

Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light. – (Matthew 12:28-30)

 

The burdens that we take up and try to carry are far too heavy and not meant for our shoulders. Some of these may include: our sin, excessive demands, oppression and persecution, and weariness in the pursuit of paths we were never meant to walk alone. Christ sets us free from the weight of the yoke our shoulders should not bear, and grants us rest in Him. Through our relationship with Jesus, the seemingly meaningless and mundane, can become spiritually productive and purposeful, as Christ comes and provides us with His peace, love, healing and help. He makes our yoke easy and our burdens light, in comparison to the weight of the way we were attempting to walk alone. May we lay hold of the rest Christ provides for our souls as we sincerely seek Him.

 

When life’s burdens,

are weighing us down;

we need seek Christ,

where answers are found.

Jesus is kind,

and humble in heart;

He is gentle,

where solutions start.

Rest for weary,

strength when we feel weak;

gone are burdens,

we’re not meant to keep.

His peace given,

healing and help too;

restored purpose,

refreshed and renewed.

Come near, dear ones,

He will grant us rest;

sweet interlude,

Christ’s great faithfulness.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You do not desire for us to carry the weight of the world. Thank You that You ask us to come to You and give You our burdens, and allow You to carry the weight that was never meant for us, and You replace it with that which You equip us to bear. Thank You that You are gentle and humble and have rest ready for our weariness. Forgive us for trying to carry things that we were never meant to bear, and help us to lay down the loads before You. Teach us to trust You more, so that we may continually come before You and hear clearly what we are meant to carry, and what we are to hand over to You. Lead us to walk in love, unburdened by loads not meant for us. May many come to know You, as they witness the freedom we have found in the ease of Your yoke. Be exalted, Lord God, as we learn from You each new day. Amen.

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

They will celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness. – Psalm 145:7

It is Good to Gather

image by The Natural Heritage Collection

“Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven.  For where two or three come together in my Name, there I am with them.” – Matthew 18:19-20

In this passage, Jesus points out the power that is present when two or three believers come together in prayer.  God hears the hearts of His children as we press in, united in prayer.  As we stand in agreement, He is with us, and He is faithful to answer what His followers are asking.

Though it is good and necessary to spend time on our own in study, praise and prayer, it is also important to be involved in a body of believers.  Having a person or two whom we trust and are in a similar space in our faith with, provides accountability and access to put our faith in action.

Where two or three are gathered, there is opportunity to discuss and process a shared experience in His presence.  Sometimes, that which He speaks, or how He comes in power, is beyond our ability to hold or hear on our own.  When another is present, each can help the other recount and remember His  faithfulness to answer from the time together.

God created us to be relational.  We are not meant to walk alone.  When one falls down, the other is there to pick them back up.  Yes, He is always with us, yet He knows our need for the tangible too.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You created us to be in relationship with You and with one another.  Forgive us for trying to go out on our own, rather than connecting with common heart and purpose in prayer with another in You.  Lead us to trustworthy trios and pairings as we gather to call on Your Name.  Teach us to balance our individual time with You, and our time spent corporately as a body of believers.  Grant us wisdom, I pray.  May our purpose and prayers presented to You lead the lost to a lasting relationship with You.  Amen.

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