When I envision the Lord being my shield, it transforms how I imagine myself walking through this day of unknowns.
I think we are often completely unaware of the pitfalls, near misses, and battles going on around us that we are protected from daily. The Lord shields us from so much.
The fender bender that ruins our day, makes us late, and costs us money…did the Lord shield us from something far worse?
The random encounter with an unsavory stranger that left us shaken…did the Lord block the evil intentions that could have gone a different and terrible way?
The beautiful and precious time spent with Him that was uninterrupted…did He shield us from distractions so we could be filled up, loved on, and encounter Him?
This verse really spoke to me. It’s been a hard around here lately. We’re tired and rough around the edges. I wonder what else Jesus has shielded us from?
I am so grateful that the Lord of Heaven, Prince of Peace, and King of Kings sees me and chooses to shield me and lift my head when the harder days come. It’s a beautiful and comforting thing to be seen and deeply loved by Jesus. He loves you, too. Peace be with you.
“Bearing fruit each season without fail.” Hmm… Reading this verse feels hopeful. It feels encouraging; relief that despite seasons where nothing goes right, one difficult, trying thing after another happens, and you feel blindsided, and exhausted – even then we bear fruit. It may not be loud, obvious, beautiful fruit, but the scripture DOES say “each season.”
Maybe you are in a season, like me, where things are not going as planned or hoped, and you feel disappointed , and blindsided by events you never saw coming. It’s not an easy place to be.
I wonder if we slow down, breathe a minute, and look around us, we will see that there is fruit here. Perhaps it’s a fruit called trust, rest, patience, hope, letting go, or compassion for another who’s struggling.
God is with you in whatever season you are in right now. I know it doesn’t always feel like it or look like it, but He is. He promises to never leave us alone. He is the Promise Keeper. He is faithful and He keeps His promises.
Wherever your path leads you today remember that Jesus is walking it, too. He won’t leave you alone to navigate what’s ahead. He’s been there already and knows exactly what you will need to steadily travel on.
There will likely be twists and turns along with ups and downs as you go. When you feel uncertain or worried about the blinds spots, perhaps try and view them through a new lens of adventure, excitement, and anticipation of good things coming. Blind spots don’t always have to be bad.
For me, I often anticipate bad things and overthink all the ways a twisty part of the path will play out in a negative way and exhaust myself trying to get ahead of the bad news. I don’t want to keep doing it that way. I’m tired and worn down. It is stealing my joy. This isn’t that way He wants us to live.
Maybe you’ll join me in trying to flip the negative narrative that so often obscures and diminishes all the good things Jesus HAS done, IS doing, and WILL do for me and for you. We won’t get it right all the time. How thankful I am that He gets it, gets us, and doesn’t stop loving us when we let worry blind us to the small blessings, bits of joy, and pops of beauty He scatters all around us, hoping we trust Him enough to see it.
I don’t want to miss out on hidden blessings, glimmers of heaven, quiet times of sitting with Him, and rest, beautiful, blessed rest.
On a summer night when cricket symphonies lull and soothe as the moon sails high and pinprick stars wink…He whispers in dark, nocturnal rustlings with deep, supernatural words of mystery.
When the wind shushes and sighs through the Redwood canopy as you hike and soak in the forest…He whispers timeless songs of creation.
Opening your eyes as a new day starts, before the mad rush of living takes over and you savor your morning coffee…He whispers an invitation, “Come and talk with me.”
As you putter in the garden, trimming and admiring the flowers…He whispers promises of new life and a season of rebirth in the rich scent of turned earth.
When the day is done and your tired body falls into those in-between moments before you drift off to sleep…He whispers words of rest and speaks to you in your dreams.
Can you hear Him?
When your heart feels heavy, you retreat to the hidden bench under the willow branches that skim over the pond…His whispers of healing and hope perfume the air around you.
When the cruel, hurtful words sting your heart, and tears spill over and down your cheeks…He whispers songs of love and belonging. He captures each tear. You are His.
As waves crash along the lonely beach and you fling your deepest needs and fears to the relentless tides…His whispers become a divine exchange, taking your hurt and giving you Himself. He is enough.
Taking that first frightening, tentative step of faith into something new and unknown…He whispers courage and strength into your mind, spirit, and body. He is with you. Worry must flee.
With pain so deep and raw that you have no words or tears left…His whispers become intercession in heavenly languages, traveling straight to the Holy of Holies.
Can you hear Him?
When loved ones are far away and your mind is full of frightening thoughts and the chaos of the unknown…He whispers safety and protection. Their names are written on the palm of His hands. He speaks peace, and fear bows.
When the world is filled with injustice, cruelty, and division…He whispers compassion and authority—He is King. There are none before Him. Alpha and Omega.
When self-reliance has taken its toll and you finally unclench your fists and cry to Him in exhaustion…He whispers gentle songs of rest and comfort. All is well, He’s got this.
And…
On the lighter days, when the hurry is hushed and you sit under the apple tree, talking to Him, thanking Him, and whispering that you love Him, an incense of thankfulness, praise, and love rises and dances its way to His throne. As the sacred aroma swirls and fans around Him, He sings, shouts, and prophesies over you with blessings, peace, and joy. Can you hear Him?
“You can go to bed without fear; you will lie down and sleep soundly.”
Good night, friends. The One who watches over you and the ones you love never slumbers and never takes His eyes from you. You can rest, you can let go and sleep in peace.
I pray you feel Jesus right there next to you, tenderly watching over you, speaking in heavenly languages about you, and breathing life and safety over you and those you hold dear. He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords – you are safe with Him and so are they. Peace be with you.
Thin, wispy clouds veil the bright moon as it sails high. The moonglow shining in the chilly air illuminates the garden casting eerie yet beautiful shadows – mysterious and exciting. The velvety black sky is the backdrop for the constellations and planets tossed into place by Your hands. Your divine fingerprints are everywhere. Your words continuously breathing life into all things – renewing, revealing, restoring.
The cold, bright moonlight falls across my pillow bathing my face in its glow. Chilly air puffs in through the partly open window above my bed. My thin quilt gives just enough warmth to be cozy and lovely. It feels peaceful and safe. I’m seen and known, even in seasons of darkness and shadows You will find me. The Light always pierces the darkness. Things unseen are always exposed by Your light. I’m never alone.
I drift off to sleep covered by moonlight, surrounded by Your whispers in the nighttime breeze. Your fingerprints dance over my face, my heart, and my spirit soothing, revealing, renewing, and healing. Hope flows and intertwines with deep peace and unconditional love, as Your lullabies of compassion and mercy swirl and gentle the hearts and minds of those You adore and carefully watch as they slumber.
“But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble.”
So often, I find refuge in times of stress, loneliness, or mental fatigue in the midst of nature. It feels safe to be surrounded by the very things He created and called good; tucked into the living things that He spoke into life. I find that being in nature breathes new life into my weary soul – the breath of Jesus soothing, healing, renewing, and clearing away the debris that my spirit collects just by living in this world.
I imagine His delight when we step onto that forest path, the sandy beach, the wild backyard garden, and our breathing calms, heart rate slows, and our worries lift on the breeze.
I picture His gentle smile as we whisper our amazement at the beauty and thank Him for being our refuge. Oh, how He loves us!
What fruit of the spirit would like more of in this life season you are in right now?
For me, I need more peace and glimpses of joy regardless of the chaos swirling around me and the circumstances that I cannot control.
Father,
I pray that you surround us with Your presence as we venture out today. Guide us into the plans You have for us. Thank You for being our guide and protection. May we leave the people that we cross paths with better than before. Give us open eyes, ears, and hearts so we may discover the treasures and delights You have scattered along today’s journey.
Extravagant Hope 