These Things Are Not Supposed to Be

“But you, LORD, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high. I call out to the LORD, and he answers me from his holy mountain.” Psalm 3:3-4 (NIV)

They weren’t supposed to attend a country music festival and end up running for their lives.

He wasn’t supposed to take an anniversary trip with his beloved and end up shielding her from a bullet.

She wasn’t supposed to kiss her man in blue goodbye to protect and serve and end up never kissing him again.

She wasn’t supposed to be dancing and laughing with her best friend one minute and end up kneeling next to her lifeless body the next.

These things are not supposed to be.

I don’t have answers. I don't have explanations.

But I know the One who does.

The One who is “a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head” (Psalm 3:3a).

The One who promises that when darkness invades my happy space ... when disaster turns my life upside down ... when evil presses in on every side ... He will never leave me nor forsake me. He is always there.

His name is The Ancient of Days. (Daniel 7:9-10) The One who was, is and forever will be. (Hebrews 13:8)

The One who sent a young shepherd boy named David to speak words of hope we still need today.

"You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the LORD will deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head ... and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD’s, and he will give all of you into our hands” (1 Samuel 17:45b-46a, 46c-47, NIV).

Our world is a scary place. Shootings. Riots. Explosions. Natural disasters. It feels as if danger and uncertainty lurk around every corner. We don't know what each day will hold. But, friend, we do know the One who holds our days.

We can be fearful and discouraged or we can be confident and encouraged. The choice is ours

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It matters where we fix our eyes and on whom we fix our hope.

God is our hope ... our only true hope. (Psalm 62:5)

Run to the One who is your strength and your shield. (Psalm 28:7) The One who fights for you. (Exodus 14:14) The One whose presence will never leave you. Who will never forsake you. (Deuteronomy 31:6)

The name of the LORD is a strong tower to which we can run and are safe, even in the most desperate of circumstances. (Proverbs 18:10)

Whether He stills the storm or invites us in. Whether He moves the mountain or helps us climb it. He will be with us. 

God is our Rock. (Psalm 18:2) His love is steadfast. (Lamentations 3:22-23)

It’s true. You and I don’t have all the answers. Google doesn’t have all the answers. But, we know the One Who does. 

Pray this prayer with me (based on Psalm 3:2-6):

Thank You, Lord, that You are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high. I call out to You, Lord, and You answer me from Your holy mountain. I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because You, O Lord, sustain me. I will not fear though tens of thousands assail me on every side.

Lord, I will keep my eyes fixed on You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Solomon's Porcupines by Erik and Vicki Johnson

Today's Bible Verse...

Speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. —Ephesians 4:15

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Our goal as believers is to mature into the full presence of Jesus Christ in the world by being his unified Body of believers. This challenging goal can only be accomplished if we speak the truth — God's Spirit-inspired message — and do so with an attitude of love. How can we expect to convey the message of God's love which sent Jesus if we don't live that love ourselves?

My Prayer...

Almighty and sacrificial God, please help me capture all my impure motives and ungodly attitudes and clothe them in your love. I need the purifying and transforming presence of the Holy Spirit even more powerfully present in my life each day, so please fill me and make the Spirit's fruit more real in my attitudes and actions. In the name of the Lord Jesus I pray. Amen.