In My Loneliest Moment

[S] Genesis 15:1 --
After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, saying, "Do not fear, Abram, I am a shield to you; Your reward shall be very great."

[O] After rescuing his nephew Lot and having dealt with the king of Sodom's "generous" offer, God affirms Abram's commitment to God alone in a vision that God will be a shield to him and He got Abram's back.

[A] Lovely picture of how God personally visits us when we commit our hearts for Him alone because at these moments is when we feel the loneliest because even though God is bigger than everything in this world, in our own little world, we still feel like we only have God and released everything else.  It's comforting to know that God draws near to us when we are in this situation.

[P] Dear God, thank You for encouraging us with Your love at all times and to be my shield especially when I'm most in need.  In Jesus' name.  Amen.

Bad Things Happeninig Lately?

[S] Psalm 144:1-2 --
  ¹Blessed be the LORD, my rock,
         Who trains my hands for war,
         And my fingers for battle;
  ²My lovingkindness and my fortress,
         My stronghold and my deliverer,
         My shield and He in whom I take refuge,
         Who subdues my people under me.

[O] Recently I've heard from a few people of God who's been hit with what appears an un-ending distractions in their lives (both personally and family) which drains their energy and in some cases discouraging them to lose sight of living out Christ-centered lives.  Why do these happen to those who are really committed to following God's pathways?  First, my own answer is that because they must really be doing just that effectively despite what they may be feeling at the moment because God's enemy will not leave alone those who are effectively influencing our world the way God intended.  Flipping that around, the enemy will leave alone those who are not of a great threat to his agenda.  I also found God's answer to this question from this passage:  There is no way for me to comprehend the depth of His reasons/purposes of why these things happen, but He promises to those who trust in Him to be their trainer, fortress, deliverer, shield, and subduer of enemies.  So, the half-time score may not look good but the game score is already decided to be God 1: Enemy 0.

[A] Trust in Him even though I cannot see the reasons for troubles happening around me.

[P] Dear God, You are awesome indeed.  This passage just pumps up the new blood in me to take steps further in the direction You convicted me to go.  You are my fortress, deliverer, shield, and You will win over the enemies altogether!  I trust in You to be just that type of a God in my life.  In Jesus' name.  Amen.