Many are saying of me, “God will not deliver him.” But You, Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high (Psalm 3:2-3)
Our Father, You are our loving God and fortress, stronghold and deliverer, shield, in whom we take refuge... (Psalm 144:2). Your word assures us that No one who hopes in You will ever be put to shame (Psalm 25:3).
Sovereign Lord, You have laid for us a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who relies on it will never be stricken with panic (Isaiah 28:16). Help us to stand on Your promises. Help us to cling to You "when the howling storms of doubt and fear assail."
Thank You, Father, for the support of family, of friends, of community. But even in those times when we stand alone, when no one else understands, You are our shield, our glory, the One who lifts our head high.
We think of David, facing a massive leadership crisis even as he, like his men, reeled from great personal loss of his family to raiders (1 Samuel 30:3-6). The account tells us, David was greatly distressed because the men were talking of stoning him; each one was bitter in spirit because of his sons and daughters (1 Samuel 30:6 - NIV).
But when no one else stood with him, David found strength (encouraged himself - NKJV) in the Lord his God (vs. 6). How we thank You for this encouragement from Scripture. Because, Lord, You call us to travel some roads alone. Yet, even though we walk through the darkest valley...You are with us (Psalm 23:4).
We pray today for those who are walking lonely roads of longing, lonely roads of exclusion, lonely roads of obedience, lonely roads of trial, lonely roads of sickness, lonely roads of grief. So many other lonely roads. Sometimes others want to come alongside, but they cannot. Sometimes they are not even aware. And sometimes they do not understand.
But even when many are saying..."God will not deliver..." let these words of Your promise echo deep in our spirits:
He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap; He seats them with princes and has them inherit a throne of honor. “For the foundations of the earth are the Lord’s; on them He has set the world (1 Samuel 2:8).
Thank You, O Lord, You are... my glory, the One who lifts my head high.
Standing on the promises of Christ my King, Through eternal ages let His praises ring, Glory in the highest, I will shout and sing, Standing on the promises of God.
Refrain: Standing, standing, Standing on the promises of God my Savior; Standing, standing, I’m standing on the promises of God.
Standing on the promises that cannot fail, When the howling storms of doubt and fear assail, By the living Word of God I shall prevail, Standing on the promises of God.
Standing on the promises I now can see Perfect, present cleansing in the blood for me; Standing in the liberty where Christ makes free, Standing on the promises of God.
Standing on the promises of Christ the Lord, Bound to Him eternally by love’s strong cord, Overcoming daily with the Spirit’s sword, Standing on the promises of God.
Standing on the promises I cannot fall, List’ning every moment to the Spirit’s call, Resting in my Savior as my all in all, Standing on the promises of God.
~ Russell K. Carter ~ Published 1886
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