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The Lord is my strength and my shield;

my heart trusts in him, and he helps me.

My heart leaps for joy,

and with my song I praise him.

~Psalm 28:7



Good morning dear sister!

My heart is leaping for joy today! Another day to rejoice in the Lord! Another day to rest in His love! More opportunities to serve His good purpose!

This one little verse from the book of Psalms describes our whole walk with the Lord as we dwell in life on earth!

Sometimes we moan about the afflictions and trials we endure, but what need would we have for the Lord’s strength if our spirits had no trials to endure? Why would the Lord be our shield if our flesh was not vulnerable to affliction? 

Our hearts can trust in Him, He is called Faithful and True! We may think, “Yes Lord, my heart trusts in you, but please don’t take too long to answer my prayer or I may think that you don’t hear me.” Hmmm…. Can you relate? Even David, who was known as a man after God’s own heart, had trouble waiting on Him, so don’t feel too bad!

Despite our lack of patience or faith, God proves His faithfulness over and over again throughout Scripture and even throughout the world’s history! Even in YOUR history! This thought should fill our hearts with joy and bring a spontaneous song of praise to our lips for the goodness and faithfulness of God in our lives!

But does it?

All I know is that when I take my eyes off the Lord and start looking at the waves threatening to drown me, I start to sink, and sink fast! My heart starts to pound! I get anxious and worried, which makes me fearful of the future! I get fearful of the “what ifs” and uncertainties of life.

That is the fruit of diverting my focus from the One who is holy, helpful and good. God promises to strengthen us to not only get through the trials of life, but to overcome them!

He will defend us from the temptations of the enemy, shielding us from walking into trouble when we are walking with Him! It makes me think of a parent, turning their child away from disaster, shielding their innocence from the face of sin.

We learn, through His faithfulness, that our hearts can trust in Him and that He does indeed help us! Isn’t it a wondrous event when you come through victorious over something and you KNOW that it was the Lord who brought you through? Isn't it edifying to KNOW that it was by His strength and His shield that you have overcome? 

Hang on to that testimony, dear sister! Ask the Lord to bring to your mind when He has helped you so that you can encourage others with your personal experience of what God is doing in your life! That is the song by which you praise Him!

Yes, "God is good, all the time"! Next time you feel prompted to proclaim that, why not go a bit further and encourage someone with your testimony about how He has been good in your life? How did He strengthen you? How did He shield you? Why do you trust in Him? How has He helped you?

You don't need to be 'good with words' or bold as a lion, just speak from a heart of gratitude! One time, a long time ago, I heard someone challenged to respond to some deep philosophical, theological question…. 

“I don’t know about that, but let me tell you about what Jesus has done for me.”

It’s that easy to sing your personal ‘song’ of praise!

God bless you, my sister!

Keep loving Jesus and moving forward!!

With love, your sister, Celeste