I remember ringing in the New Year with my sister in Ohio! I remember praying for 2013 to be a year for the books….. but apparently I have a way of praying vague prayers!
Since the moment our feet hit the ground in Haiti this year – there were often no words for “the books”.
Our family has been going non-stop the last several months. Unfortunately my post-surgery complications took a life of their own. God has exposed & confirmed darkness in ways we still can’t process. We’ve been personally attacked and persecuted in ways I never imagined.
Satan has been relentless – absolutely relentless this year.
I’ve been doing my own personal Bible Study – Psalms Study by Beth Moore. Right in the heat of satan’s fire – I began studying this passage.
Psalm 123
New Living Translation (NLT)
A song for pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem.
1 I lift my eyes to you, O God, enthroned in heaven.
2 We keep looking to the Lord our God for his mercy, just as servants keep their eyes on their master, as a slave girl watches her mistress for the slightest signal.
3 Have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy, for we have had our fill of contempt.
4 We have had more than our fill of the scoffing of the proud and the contempt of the arrogant.
Perhaps as you began reading this blog – you thought this was going to be a sappy, depressing one! Quite the contrary!
Satan can yap all he wants. He can persecute all he wants. He can try to steal my joy – my peace – my patience – my compassion – my heart – my family – my kindness – my goodness.
But God – who is enthroned in heaven – is on my side. He wraps His loving arms around me daily. He wipes every tear before it hits my cheek. He stands in the gap between my enemies and me. He is not surprised or shocked or overwhelmed or discouraged or defeated.
Though the war wages I find victory daily. He guides my steps. He unleashes His mighty power during the darkest moments. He is my sounding board. He is my defender. He is my shepherd. He is my Hope. He is my heart. He is my Savior. He is my provider. He is my healer. He is my daddy. He is my salvation. He is my purpose. He is my strength. He is my protector. He is my redeemer. He is my advocate. He is my conqueror.
I will not be afraid. I will not get angry. I will not be discouraged. I will not back down. I will not walk away. I will not give-up. I will not lose hope. I will not be defeated.
He goes before me. He stands beside me. He protects behind me. He is on my right. He is on my left. He is above me. He is under me. I cannot open my eyes without seeing Him. I cannot take a step without feeling His presence. There is no place I can look – no place I can go – where He is not there.
He knows my heart. He knows my soul. He knows my dreams. He knows my thoughts. He knows my wounds. He knows my intentions. He knows my ministry. He knows my family.
He knows the good in this world. He’s not intimidated by the evil. He stands for justice. He stands for goodness. He stands for righteousness.
And therefore I can find infinite comfort – find peace that passes ALL understanding – fall fast asleep – and take complete refuge in my father’s soft, strong arms. And He will consider it ALL joy as HE holds me with one hand and fights my battles with His other.
Yes – my God is on my side.
And even if the evil is persistent– even if the battle rages daily– Yet I will STILL praise Him.