March 29, 2024

Shoulders

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

When confusion’s my companion
And despair holds me for ransom
I will feel no fear
I know that You are near
When I’m caught deep in the valley
With chaos for my company
I’ll find my comfort here
‘Cause I know that You are near

My help comes from You
You’re right here, pulling me through
You carry my weakness, my sickness, my brokenness all on Your shoulders
Your shoulders
My help comes from You
You are my rest, my rescue
I don’t have to see to believe that You’re lifting me up on Your shoulders
Your shoulders

You mend what once was shattered
And You turn my tears to laughter
Your forgiveness is my fortress
Oh, Your mercy is relentless

My help is from You
Don’t have to see it to believe it
My help is from You
Don’t have to see it, ‘cause I know, ‘cause I know it’s true

for KING and COUNTRY
Writers: Luke Smallbone / Joel Smallbone / Ben Glover / Tedd Tjornhom

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My help comes from the Lord,
The Maker of heaven and earth.
Psalm 121:2 HCSB

Right now my life feels very chaotic.  Like a roller coaster ride.  It is full of uncertainty and most of it is out of my control.  But, strangely enough, I’m not in a panic (which is unusual for me).  I heard this song and the last part just kept repeating over and over in my head.

My help is from You, don’t have to see it to believe it
My help is from you, don’t have to see it,
‘cause I know, ‘cause I know it’s true

It surprises me that I am not trying to take control of my circumstance and that I am not stressing out at this point.  Romans 8:6 NLT states that “…letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace.”  Psalm 27:13 is one of my life verses.

I would have despaired unless I had believed
that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.

These are the only things that could possibly explain why I am not in full-fledged panic mode.  I know where my help comes from:

We have the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battles for us!
2 Chronicles 32:8

You are my Help and my Deliverer….O my God
Psalm 40:17, Psalm 70:5 AMP

Because I know Who is my Help I can “Hope in God and wait expectantly for Him, for I shall praise Him, my Help and my God” (Psalm 42:5).  2 Corinthians 5:7 says we are to “…live by faith, not by sight.”  I don’t have to see God at work to know He is there.  I simply have faith He is working behind the scenes.  Hebrews 11:1 NASB, one of my favorite verses, explains it like this:

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

Jesus said “Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed” (John 20:29 NASB).

I am standing firmly on these verses, and I
Don’t have to see it, ‘cause I know, ‘cause I know it’s true

Prince of Peace

SHpeaceluke1

For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given;
and the government shall be upon His shoulder,
and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor,
Mighty God, Everlasting Father [of Eternity], Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6 AMP

Glory to God in the highest [heaven],
and on earth peace among men
with whom He is well pleased [men of goodwill, of His favor].
Luke 2:14 AMP

Peace can be very elusive this time of year.  In some ways this has been a rough year for us—we lost our darling granddaughter five days after her birth.  This time of year is particularly hard.  Perhaps you, too, have suffered the death of a loved one or a major loss…loss of a relationship, job, home.

Maybe stress is stealing your peace right now.  {I must admit I have let a little stress sneak in as well.}  Our daughters live in other states so we don’t get to spend as much time with them as we would like.  However, they will be coming here after Christmas.  I want to have the perfect gifts for them.  I want to make wonderful memories while they are here.  And that gets me a little frantic and a bit stressed out. When the cares of this world weigh me down Romans 8:6 reminds me that,

For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace

So, how do we have this peace that seems so elusive?  The peace Romans 8:6 refers to comes only from Christ and passes all understanding.  There are so many wonderful scriptures that reiterate this.  Take a minute to read through these slowly and carefully.  And let their meaning sink deep into your heart and mind.

In peace I will both lie down and sleep,
For You alone, O Lord, make me to dwell in safety.
Psalm 4:8 NASB

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

You will keep the mind that is dependent on You in perfect peace
Isaiah 26:3 HCSB

…The chastisement {punishment} [needful to obtain] peace
and well-being for us was upon Him,
and with the stripes [that wounded] Him we are healed and made whole.
Isaiah 53:5b AMP

“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart.
And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give.
So don’t be troubled or afraid.”
John 14:27 NLT

In John 16:33 (HCSB) Jesus tells us “I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace.  You will have suffering in this world.  Be courageous!  I have conquered the world.”  As I was writing this, the words of a Castings Crowns song came to mind – “It’s all because of the blood of Jesus Christ!”  Truth!  We cannot do it alone.

Christ IS our Prince of Peace.  His birth was a step towards peace.  He came voluntarily, knowing what lay ahead of Him.  I do not want to be guilty of rejecting His gift that cost so much.

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Today, I would like to leave you with Philippians 4:7 as my prayer because God puts it much more eloquently than I can.

Dear Lord, please let Your peace, which surpasses all comprehension, guard our hearts and our minds in Christ Jesus.  Amen – It Is So!

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May the Lord turn His face toward you
and give you peace this Christmas season and all year long.
2 Thessalonians 3:16

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 1:2