Our Strength and Peace

The Lord gives His people strength; the Lord blesses His people with peace. – (Psalm 29:11, HCSB)

May the Lord make His people strong. May the Lord bless His people with peace. – (Psalm 29:11, ERV)

God makes His people strong. God gives His people peace. – (Psalm 29:11, MSG)

I don’t know about you, but I am in a space where God’s strength and peace are necessary for my survival. It has been an incredibly long and challenging school year thus far, and this final stretch prior to our winter break always feels long. Yesterday, I began the day with a fresh spring in my step and peace in my heart after a bit of extra time to rest over the long weekend, and the recognition that there would only be three weeks until a much-needed, longer break. However, by the time we were a few minutes into first period, I felt as if the strength had been sapped and the peace removed. God is with me always, it is just far more difficult to see and feel His presence when things feel tumultuous. Today is a new day. I have hope that things will improve, and the peace in knowing we are a day closer to the holidays. He is good, and I will trust anew for His strength and peace to reign. May we ever seek the Lord for strength and peace, for He is faithful to be near in all things and at all times.

The Lord grants us strength,

To rise and press on;

And provides His peace,

When the days seem long.

Ever He is near,

To love and uphold;

Fill us with new hope,

For His love is bold.

Lead us, Lord Jesus,

With strength and resolve;

Grace to keep going,

As worry dissolves.

No matter our day,

You are always good;

Please fill us anew,

True peace understood.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are our strength and our peace, always. Thank You that Your loving kindness is not dependent on our circumstances or what we do or do not do, but rather You are available to all who come to You. Forgive us for our fears and frustrations that zap our strength and steal our peace. Teach us to turn to You for all that we need, for You are faithful always. Lead us to love those around us well, so that we too may extend strength and peace in places where both are difficult to find. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we trust You to be our strength and peace as we navigate each new day. Amen.

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

He said, “Don’t be afraid, you who are treasured by God. Peace to you; be very strong!” As He spoke to me, I was strengthened and said, “Let my Lord speak, for You have strengthened me.” – Daniel 10:19

Strength is His Crown

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” – (Matthew 11:28, NIV) 

“Are you weary, carrying a heavy burden? Then come to me. I will refresh your life, for I am your oasis.” – (Matthew 11:28, TPT) 

 

As a teacher on winter break, I have felt burden-free for nearly a week. Strangely, each afternoon, I have hit a lull point, where I find myself fighting to stay awake. Rather than give in to the weariness, I have been brewing a cup of coffee, and moving on to whatever is next. My Fitbit stopped syncing nearly a month ago, so I had no access to my sleep data. This morning, I did not hear my husband’s alarm, and did not wake until he leaned over to give me a kiss goodbye. Out of curiosity, I checked to see if my Fitbit had synced and would let me know my length of sleep. Incredibly, it somehow began syncing yesterday, and the time sleeping feature, was suddenly in place for the entire last week. To my surprise, I discovered that I had not slept more than five or six hours each night, so apparently, last night, the rest my body needed, was granted. Seven and a half hours of sleep in one night is far closer to the recommended rest we ought to receive. Even though I did not realize I needed it, the rest my body required, was granted. The Lord provides what we need, even when we are unaware ourselves. May we ever seek Him to lay down our burdens and find true rest, as the Lord is our strength, song, and space of restoration. 

 

Give God your burdens,

Seek Him to find rest; 

He grants what’s needed, 

And He knows us best. 

Come all you weary, 

Lay your burdens down; 

Allow Him carry, 

For strength is His crown. 

Seek the Lord also, 

To truly know rest; 

His grace abundant, 

As love is expressed. 

For some it is sleep, 

Our just to slow down; 

Whatever the need, 

Provision is found. 

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that we can come to You with our burdens and weariness, and You supply us rest. Thank You that You are stronger than the weight of any burden we bear, and You know the sort of rest our bodies, minds and spirits require. Forgive us for ignoring the signals our bodies have been designed to give us when weariness comes, and attempting to power through, where You are ready to grant us rest. Teach us to trust You more, so that we would lay our burdens down before You, and seek You to supply the rest that we need most. Show us how to love those around us in a way that lightens loads and grants room to rest where it is needed most. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we bring our burdens before You and seek You to grant us rest. Amen.

 

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

 

Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from Him. – Psalm 62:5

Provision of Peace and Strength

The Lord gives His people strength. The Lord blesses them with peace. – (Psalm 29:11, NLT)

May the Lord make His people strong. May the Lord bless His people with peace. – (Psalm 29:11, ERV)

We ask You, Eternal One, to give strength to Your people; Eternal One, bless them with the gift of peace. – (Psalm 29:11, VOICE)

 

Emotions are running high, and kids are on edge daily as the winter break whispers of its nearness. The uncertainty of what is coming when so many of our students desperately need routine, is enough to send them in a downward spiral that requires more strength and resolve than one might think is humanly possible to perpetuate for such a length of time. Strength and peace are needed now, more than ever – for students, teachers, and every staff member who interacts with these sweet souls in distress. It is my prayer that God would give strength to the weary, and bless every heart with His perfect peace. May we walk beside one another, shoulder-to-shoulder, encouraging and lifting up, as strength and peace are present wherever people come together with purpose.

 

The Lord is our Source, 

He makes our hearts strong;

When we’re feeling weak,

He helps lead us on.

Where chaos seems reign,

The Lord brings His peace;

He settles our hearts,

As grace is released.

Let’s rise up, dear ones,

Seek the Lord of all;

He knows all our need,

And won’t let us fall.

Look too for others,

To walk alongside;

Encourage, support,

Let peace and strength rise.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are our Source of strength and peace, no matter what comes our way. Lord, be with all of those who struggle this time of year, as there is uncertainty or sorrow in the season. Give us grace to extend loving kindness, so that Your heart may be made known. Forgive us for our frustration with behaviors and attitudes that are the manifestation of people’s pain. Teach us to trust You more, so that we may see things through Your eyes. Show us how to bring peace to the chaos, and how to love in Your strength in a way that soothes unsettled souls. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we receive Your strength and peace, and go forth and give as we have been given. Amen.

 

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

 

For the Lord your God will bless you, …and your joy will be complete. – Deuteronomy 16:15