This was originally posted on 10/26/2014, just 5 months after the passing of our precious son. Two years later, we are still learning to call upon the Lord during times of distress and heartache...and He has never let us down. This message encouraged my own heart even as I wrote it at that time. I pray there may be someone (or many) who will be blessed and encouraged by this same message yet today.
Original Post from 10/26/2014:
"I will love You, O Lord, my strength.
The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer;
My God, my strength, in Whom I will trust;
My shield and the horn of my salvation,
my stronghold.
I will call upon the Lord,
Who is worthy to be praised;
So shall I be saved from my enemies."
Psalm 18: 1-3
"The Lord Lives!
Blessed be my Rock!
Let the God of my salvation be exalted."
Psalm 18:46
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| Mt. Washington, NH, picture taken October, 2013 |
Those of you who are familiar with scripture choruses may recognize one in the verses above. I love it when I start reading from God's Word, and the words of the chosen passage jump out at me and cause me to start singing! Such was the case this morning as I read these powerful verses from Psalm 18. Sing along with me if you know this little song:
"The Lord liveth,
and blessed be my Rock!
Let the God of my salvation be exalted!
The Lord liveth,
and blessed be my Rock!
And may the God of my salvation be exalted!
I will call upon the Lord,
Who is worthy to be praised...
So shall I be saved from my enemies;
I will call upon the Lord!"
What I really loved about reading these verses today were the several references to the word "Strength". This past year I chose for my "One Word" for 2014 the word Strengthen. Click HERE for more about that. As we are drawing closer to the end of the year, I've been thinking about all the ways that God has indeed "strengthened" me throughout these months. It hasn't been easy. The exercises (click on link) have been excruciating in most cases. I had no idea just how much I was going to have to endure to grow in strength. (Click on the links for previous stories that will give you the background for this story). But I have never been alone in that quest.
The first few verses printed at the beginning of this post will tell you WHO has been with me,
and WHO has actually been my strength,
my Rock, my Fortress, my Deliverer...
Yes, it has been my GOD, My Saviour,
who has been my Strength...and in HIM I will trust.
He has been my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold!
So, since I've endured so much this past year, am I now some amazing strong woman, full of wonderful powers and strength beyond belief? Well, no, I'd hardly say that. It seems like when we get through one "feat of strengthening", it is oftentimes the building block upon which new challenges will be sent our way. We are never intended in this life to rest upon our laurels of great accomplishments of strength. We are strengthened for a purpose. It could be that God wants us to use our experiences to help others when they face the calamities and heartaches of their lives. It may be that we are strengthened so that we can learn just how dependent upon God we really are... so that we will know beyond a shadow of doubt exactly WHO it was who lifted us up when we were so weak we could not stand on our own.
"In my distress I called upon the Lord,
and cried out to my God;
He heard my voice from His temple,
And my cry came before Him,
even to His ears."
Psalm 18:6
My dear friend, I don't know what challenges you are currently facing, or will face in the upcoming months. But I do know One Who stands ready to be your "strength...your rock, your fortress and deliverer". If you do not already know this wonderful God and Savior, I pray that you will take the time to get to know Him now, while things are good...don't wait until the hard times come to call out to Him in your distress...seek His face now...call upon the Lord "Who is worthy to be praised..." and I can assure you He will answer you. He wants to be there for you in the good times as well as the difficult days. Then you will be able to sing this little song along with me:
"The Lord liveth,
and blessed be my Rock!
Let the God of my salvation be exalted!
The Lord liveth,
and blessed be my Rock!
And may the God of my salvation be exalted!
I will call upon the Lord,
Who is worthy to be praised...
So shall I be saved from my enemies;
I will call upon the Lord!"
Pam: This is an anoited post. It speaks of the close relationship you have with God. I am touched by what you wrote.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your insightful thoughts this morning. You have blessed me with these words of affirmation. I never thought of it quite that way, and it has opened my eyes to see what God is doing beyond myself. (Not sure this makes sense, but I think you understand what I mean.) Thank you, Cecilia.
DeleteHi Pam! What hard-won confirmation of your faith in the Lord. I know it's not been easy for you (and that's an understatement) this year. What an amazing word for the year you chose, with the help of the Holy Spirit. You needed that grace, and you prayed for it.
ReplyDeleteI am so grateful that you feel the Lord with you, and that you can turn that into encouragement for all of us. Blessed be God! And you are blessed to open yourself up to him. How happy he is with you!
Thank you,
Ceil
Thank you Ceil. I appreciate the thought that God is happy with me. That is a blessed thought. I am not always so sure of that...but I do know that He loves me and sings over me with His love all the time...so that must mean that He is happy. Thank you for that thought.
DeleteGod has been speaking to me this morning also, that He alone is my strength and my salvation. Thank you very much for reposting this testimony. My son died 20 years ago, and it is amazing how God brings us through, and then uses us to bring comfort to someone else. God bless you.
ReplyDeleteOh dear Karen, I did not know. Even though twenty years is a long time, I know it still hurts and feels fresh anytime he is brought to your mind, which I am certain is often. (((hugs))) to you today, my friend. Yes, God always brings us through and you are correct, our trials and tribulations are often God's way of working through us to help others in their times of distress. We serve and awesome God...our Strength and Salvation! Praise the Lord for His merciful kindness toward us, even in the midst of sorrow.
DeleteYour post touched me so deeply. To endure the loss of a loved one requires a special kind of strength that only God can give. He has a purpose for each thing He allows in our live and it's up to us to learn to trust and lean on Him. I love how you make spiritual truth so relevant to us today!
ReplyDeleteMy dear Melanie...it is not me...it is God working through me...and only by His marvelous grace. It is HIS Word that accomplishes the truth of His message to our hearts. We are only the conduits through which He ministers to those around us...and His Holy Spirit teaches and comforts us...that same love and mercy overflows to others, through whatever means He chooses...our blogs, facebook, prayers, writings, one on one visits, He has a million ways...and we just have to be obedient and willing to allow Him to work through us His way and in His time. He's in control...I am just a vessel for Him to work through. What a privilege and joy...even in the midst of sorrow. Thank you for being a co-laborer in this vineyard. (((hugs)))
DeleteYes, only God can give us the strength to face and overcome the tragedies and losses in this life, Pamela. He is our solid rock and sure foundation.
ReplyDeleteThank you for blessing me with your words today!
Oh Pamela, this touched my heart deeply as I have been through losses in the past and now am facing new challenges for our future and trying very hard not to be gripped by fear, as I've shared in recent posts. God is Lord and I know He knows the path I take and will be with me. I find myself crying out in these days and yet, like you, He can give a song in the night. I definitely remember singing that song and still do sing it. Those were good songs. Singing the Word!
ReplyDelete