Sing in Strength

Be exalted, Lord, in Your strength; we will sing and praise Your might. – (Psalm 21:13, HCSB)

Lord, we lift You up with our songs of praise. We sing and play songs about Your power! – (Psalm 21:13, ERV)

Show Your strength, God, so no one can miss it. We are out singing the good news! – (Psalm 21:13, MSG)

The strength of the Lord is all-encompassing; body, heart, mind and spirit. He provides the strength we need where it is needed, and it is yet another reason that we ought to sing and praise His Name. As we ask, God is faithful to provide. Most of this past year, I feel like that has been my constant prayer – Lord, please give me the strength that is needed to navigate this day. Each day, as I drove home from work, I could not help but sing from a grateful heart, for His strength had been provided anew, and His power, evident to me. Even on the days that were less than stellar, God’s strength was refreshed and renewed. Each morning, it was in the seeking that my heart was recharged and made ready for the new day. May we ever seek the Lord and ask Him to show us His strength where we need it, and let our hearts sing praise for His faithfulness that knows no end.

O Lord, we cry out,

Photo by Min An on Pexels.com

To You once again;

To meet us with strength,

And make our paths plain.

May we ever sing,

Of the strength You give;

Grace for each new day,

Goodness as we live.

With arms wide open,

Let us choose give praise;

For strength provided,

Throughout all our days.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You show us Your strength again and again, and that Your faithfulness never ends. Thank You that You are our reason to sing praise. Forgive us for the times that we have neglected to give You credit for supplying all that we needed and more. Teach us to acknowledge and honor You for who You are and all that You do. Show us how to love those around us well, so that they too, may recognize the strength that You provide. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we sing praise and give You thanks for the strength that You alone provide. Amen.

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

But I will sing of Your strength and will joyfully proclaim Your faithful love in the morning. For You have been a stronghold for me, a refuge in my day of trouble. – Psalm 59:16

Faithfulness to the Skies

Your love, Lord, reaches to the heavens, Your faithfulness to the skies. – (Psalm 36:5, NIV)

Lord, your faithful love reaches to the sky. Your faithfulness is as high as the clouds. – (Psalm 36:5, ERV)

Your steadfast love, O Lord, is as great as all the heavens. Your faithfulness reaches beyond the clouds. – (Psalm 36:5, TLB)

 

I love that every day is new, and each morning is a fresh reminder of God’s goodness and faithfulness and love. It is particularly clear from my vantage point, as the view from mom’s kitchen table is spectacular. Each day as I rise before the sun, God’s handiwork greets me as He paints the sky new every morning. No two sunrises look the same. The cloud patterns and the colors shift and change, mix and blend, reminding me that He is creative and innovative, able to take on new challenges in new ways.

Last night, mom only woke one time during the night! For those who have been following our story daily, this means that both of us slept more last night, than we like did over the previous two nights combined. (Thank you for those of you who have been praying!) Furthermore, yesterday was full of things to be celebrated! During physical therapy in the morning, mom walked nearly half the length of her hallway with her walker, unassisted! Once she grew a bit fatigued, she rested for a moment or two, and then the physical therapist, Nick, had me assist/spot mom with her walking. It was exhilarating to participate directly with her, and gain the nod of approval to at last work with mom on our own on walking. Because we now have clearance to practice walking, we gave it another go in the evening as we were winding down. Mom is overjoyed and completely motivated, as she is ready to demonstrate her new-found confidence for my husband and boys when they arrive later this morning. The appointment with mom’s physiatrist went well, as she is the one who oversees and coordinates all post-stroke care. She was pleased with mom’s progress thus far, and will see her again in early August. We had a wonderful visit with mom’s next-door neighbors before dinner, and made the most of our evening, prior to calling it a night fairly early, after our previous two nights of not nearly enough sleep. Mom and I shared an early breakfast to watch the sunrise (photo below), and appreciated God’s handiwork together. Each of us sat in awe, as we gazed upon His glory in gratitude. May we ever remember the faithfulness and goodness of God, and just how far-reaching His love is for us all.

 

The Lord is faithful,

Beyond what we see;

His grace unending,

He loves tangibly.

Be it a sunrise,

At the break of day;

Or loving guidance,

As He points the way.

No matter what comes,

The Lord, He is near;

He will remain close,

Help us persevere.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are good and kind and loving. Thank You that Your faithfulness never ends. Thank You for sleep and restoration when we need it the most. Forgive us for our frustration when we cannot do anything to control our circumstances. Continue to teach us to hand all to You. Show us how to love well all those around us, as You empower us to walk faithfully and lovingly alongside them, encouraging and building up as they move forward. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we give You praise for Your steadfast love and faithfulness that reaches to the heavens and is painted across the sky each morning. Amen.

 

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

 

Out of His fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given. – John 1:16

Trust in the Battle

“The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” – (Exodus 14:14, NIV)

“You will not have to do anything but stay calm. The Lord will do the fighting for you.” – (Exodus 14:14, ERV)

“God will fight the battle for you. And you? You keep your mouths shut! “- (Exodus 14:14, MSG)

 

Some days, as an educator, I have to make difficult decisions that include referrals for kids who make poor choices. Yesterday, I had a student behave in a way that I had not witnessed prior, yet it was something that could not be neglected. After reporting the issue to one in charge of discipline, I was strongly encouraged to call the young man’s parent to inform them about what had taken place. In the moment, it didn’t settle well, but I went ahead and did as I was asked. To my surprise, the parent of the student was fiercely defensive of her son, and went so far as to accuse me of “picking on her son.” I tried to let her know that it was an obligation on my part to write a referral, but there would be an opportunity for discussion so that the young man could explain what had transpired. Surprisingly, her anger would not subside, and ultimately, she hung up. For a time, I was rattled. My character had been called into question for reporting what I had witnessed. It took some time and a bit of debriefing with my husband, before I could truly settle in and trust that I had done what was right. This morning, this is exactly the reminder that I needed. When battles rise before me, I can only do my part and then have to trust what remains, in His hands. He will show me what to say and when to be silent. God is faithful, no matter what we see or hear, and He will never leave us nor forsake us. May we place our battles in His hands, and be silent until He grants us words to speak. For He is good, and His love endures forever.

 

There is no battle,

Too great or too small;

In His mighty hands,

He’ll help us with all.

Sometimes our fighting,

Is found in “be still”;

To wait in silence,

Let God work His will.

No matter what comes,

The Lord’s word is true;

He’ll love as we wait,

Choose trust what He’ll do.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the reminder of Your faithfulness when we are uncertain of the battles before us. Thank You that we are to place all in Your hands, and allow You to lead us and guide us, trusting that You have our very best in mind. Forgive us for feeling that we must always fight, when sometimes, we are meant to wait, be still, and witness what You are going to do. Show us how to love those around us in the midst of the battle, granting strength and hope and peace. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we place our difficulties in Your helping hands, and choose trust You to be Lord of all. Amen.

 

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

 

The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him and He helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise Him. – Psalm 28:7

Wrestling for Blessing

Then the man said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with humans and have overcome.”  – (Genesis 32:28, NIV) 

Then the man said, “Your name will not be Jacob. Your name will now be Israel. I give you this name because you have fought with God and men, and you have won.” – (Genesis 32:28, ERV) 

You will no longer go by the name Jacob. From now on your name will be Israel because you have wrestled with God and humanity, and you have prevailed. – (Genesis 32:28, VOICE) 

 

After twenty years of hard physical labor and dealing with a father-in-law who had repeatedly changed Jacob’s wages and the agreement that the two had made, Jacob determined to take his wives, children and livestock back to the land from which he had come. After a week of traveling with the massive group of folks and flocks, Leban, his father-in-law, caught up to the caravan and had a discussion with Jacob. After the tension subsided, the two men reached an agreement, and parted ways. As the journey continued, they group neared the land of Jacob’s father. Jacob was afraid of how his brother, Esau, would respond to his return. He selected a large number of his livestock to gift to him, and sent servants with groups of animals ahead, in hope of pacifying his brother. Once everyone had gone on ahead of him, Jacob met a Man, with whom he wrestled all night. The One with whom he struggled, told him to stop, but Jacob insisted that they continue until he was blessed by Him. Verse twenty-eight is the response given by the One with whom Jacob wrestled. Jacob had struggled with man and God, and now was receiving the blessing for which he was asking. Both commentaries that I read surrounding this passage, pointed out that with the change of name, came also, a change of heart. A personal encounter with God changed Jacob forever. Likewise, an encounter with God changes us forever too. Our persistence to persevere, even in the struggle, results in the Lord’s presence and His help. Though it is unlikely that any of us with physically wrestle with God Himself, (or an angel messenger, as different commentaries suggest that it was either God Himself, or one of His messengers) we will however, struggle with our circumstances and our faith. The more we seek Him, the stronger our trust becomes, fueling faith for every future endeavor. May we fearlessly wrestle with the struggles that come our way, as we depend on God to strengthen and sustain us, in all things and at all times. 

 

Though we may wrestle,

With our circumstance; 

Lord God, Almighty, 

Will help us advance. 

For as we seek God, 

He hears our heart cry; 

Strengthens our resolve, 

And hope to choose try. 

The blessings do come, 

As we choose persist; 

Hope, strength and His love, 

Things that prayer enlist. 

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You hear us as we call out to You. Thank You that though we may wrestle with our circumstances and our faith, You never falter, and hear our heart’s cry. Teach us to trust You more, so that we would run to You and lay our need before You, knowing that You hear and help those who seek You. Show us how to love those around us in a way that displays Your faithfulness, strength and grace. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we press on and pursue You in all things and at all times. Amen.

 

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

 

Blessed are those who keep His statutes and seek Him with all their heart. – Psalm 119:2

It is Good to Praise

It is good to praise the Lord and make music to Your Name, O Most High, to proclaim Your love in the morning and Your faithfulness at night. – (Psalm 92:1-2)

 

A remarkable thing happens when praise is our priority. The focus is removed from our fears, failures and trials, and comes to rest on He who is our help and hope in all things and at all times. God is always good, even when our circumstances are not; therefore He always deserves our worship and praise. To proclaim His love in the morning, is to prepare our hearts properly for the day. As we set our sights on the Savior, we go forth aligned with Christ, and are better equipped for whatever lies before us. At day’s end, it is indeed good to speak of His faithfulness that has carried us throughout the day. Giving voice to the truth of His provision and presence renews our faith and resolve to further trust in Him. May we indeed praise the Lord, making music to His Name, ever proclaiming His love in the morning and His faithfulness at night.

 

It is always good,

to give the Lord praise;

to sing unto Him,

throughout all our days.

For He is Most High,

so faithful and true;

let’s proclaim His love,

and faithfulness too.

From morning to night,

let our hearts still sing;

of who our God is,

our praise offering.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are the Lord Most High, and worthy of all of our praise. Thank You that Your love and faithfulness are forever present, giving us reason to offer You continual praise, no matter what our circumstance. Forgive us for not fixing our hearts on You when times are tough, and help us to trust You more, so that we will give You praise, as we proclaim Your love in the morning, and speak of Your faithfulness at the day’s end. Lead us to love others with the very same love that You pour out upon each of us. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we praise You and make music to Your Name, proclaiming Your love in the morning and Your faithfulness at night. Amen.

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

When times are good, be happy. – Ecclesiastes 7:14