Immanuel - God with Me

During the week I've had a number of frustrating and stressful things come up.  I've also had something happen that was a big disappointment for me.  In the over all scheme of things, it wasn't earth shattering - but it was important to me and I was very disappointed.  I had to pray over and over giving it to the Lord so that it didn't stay heavy in my heart.  I'm still disappointed, but the heaviness is gone.

As all these things happened, I was meditating on Immanuel - God with me.  I know He's an ever-present help in trouble......and I've had these troubles!!  I've taken refuge under His wings.  I've spoken out that He is my Rock, my Refuge, my Redeemer.  He is my Helper, my source of Wisdom, my Guide, and my Provider.  I've spoken out all the ways I need Him.   And I'm confidently trusting that He'll help me as I work all these things out.  I'm choosing not to imagine what all might happen - I am trying to focus on who the Lord is in my midst to help me.

"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.  Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea."  Psalm 46:1,2

"He will cover you with His pinions, and under His wings shall you trust and find refuge; His truth and His faithfulness are a shield and a buckler."  Psalm 91:4

"Be strong and courageous.  Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you."  Deuteronomy 31:6

"The Lord is near to all who call on Him."  Psalm 145:18

But He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.'  Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest upon me."  2 Corinthians 12:9

"Give thanks in all circumstances."  1 Thessalonians 5:18

I know that thankfulness and worship in the MIDST of difficulties is a powerful thing.  I'm trying to be thankful with the bumps of this week.  And I'm proclaiming who God is in my midst to help me.  I'm not in this alone - He is with me.  Immanuel!

We are Not Alone

I know there are many who are going through difficult times.  Thank goodness we are not alone.  God is with us - our refuge, our help in times of trouble.  How faithful He is.

"The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms."  Deuteronomy 33:27

"Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you.  Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul."  Psalm 143:8

"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble."  Psalm 46:1

"The eternal God is a dwelling place, and underneath are the everlasting arms."  Deuteronomy 33:27

"The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous runs into it and is safe."  Proverbs 18:10

"The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my Rock, in whom I take refuge; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold."  Psalm 18:2

On hard days, it helps me to speak out the promises from the Word of how God is there to help me.  There are so many.  I quote them, sing them, pray them.  They become alive in my heart as I do that.  He is with me, always there to help me.  And He even "carries" me when my strength lags.  I'm so grateful.

He Makes Beauty Out of Dust

A few days ago I turned 75.  It suddenly sounded "old" to me.  I don't feel old!!  But then I remembered - my sister turned 90 this month.  I'm still "young."  :)  I'm grateful for every year, every day, that I have.

Someone sent me the lyrics of a song by Gungor.  Some of the words resonated in my heart for the year ahead:

"You make beautiful things out of the dust...

You make beautiful things out of us...

Hope is springing up from this old ground

Out of chaos, life is being found in You...

You make me new, You are making me new"

I'm praying for God to make all things new for me.  That's my hope for the year ahead.  God has wonderfully sustained me.  He has been faithful to me all these years.  I am so grateful for His goodness and faithfulness.  I trust Him in what is to come.

"Those who hope in me will not be disappointed."  Isaiah 49:23B

"He fulfills the desires of those who fear Him; He hears their cry and saves them."  Psalm 145:19

"The Lord will guide you always; He will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame.  You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail."  Isaiah 58:11

"Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.  See, I am doing a new thing!  Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?"  Isaiah 43:18,19 

"He has made everything beautiful in its time."  Ecclesiastes 3:11

"And He who was seated on the throne said, 'Behold, I am making all things new.' " Revelation 21:5

"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."  Lamentations 3:22,23

I trust in His steadfast love for the year ahead.  I'm asking Him to make things new in my life.

Here in Cape Town there have been taxi strikes going on this past week.  For those that don’t live in South Africa, the taxis are large vans that transport people to work and school.  It's the primary mode of transportation for hundreds of thousands of people. 

Sadly there were also scattered incidents of violence where some buses were stoned and set on fire, protesters blocked people from leaving to go to their jobs and it is awful to say, some lives were lost.  I have friends in these communities.  I've been praying for them and sending messages of encouragement in the midst of it all. 

Thankfully, an agreement between the 2 sides came last night, and the strike was called off.  It's a great sense of relief that this is over!  "Normal" sounds really good right now.

I have been stirred to intercession for my friends.  It's been a hard time for them.  And I've also had a new sense of gratitude for things I take for granted.  I've also been praying for all the people in Maui who have lost their homes and livelihood in the fires.  An immense tragedy - so much loss.

As I've pondered all this - one thing is clear.  Our lives can change in an instant!  We must daily be grateful for what we have - and stay close to the Lord who will help us when we face that "instant change."  I remember my shock at how quickly our lives changed when Floyd got sick - my energetic, healthy, strong husband was overnight in ICU battling for his life.  No warning.  No preparation.  Just instant change.

Trust, gratitude, staying close to the Lord, talking to Him continually about what is happening - those are our lifelines when unexpected things come our way.  They've gotten me through the tumult of recent years.  God has been faithful to meet me and help me! 

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.  Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the seas, thought its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling."  Psalm 46:1-3

"Because He holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him; I will protect him, because he knows my name.  When he calls to me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him."  Psalm 91:14,15

"How priceless is your unfailing love!  Both high and low among men find refuge in the shadow of your wings."  Psalm 36:7

There are hundreds of verses of God meeting us in the hard situations of life.  I'm so grateful for the power and truth of each one.  God is with us!

We can find refuge in the shadow of His wings!