Thursday, February 15, 2018

On Psalm 91

From infancy it had me in its grasp.
Until now, I was caught by the trap.
The Enemy ensnared me with his web.

But his reign is not forever.
In fact, his reign is just a facade, a temporary feature.

The One who Speaks the Truth spoke to me today.
Like a breath of fresh air, His Spirit came.
In a moment, he loosed the chains to set the captive free.

Little by little, His sanctifying work moves within me.
Like a wind sweeping across the plains, He refreshes me.

Like a diver coming up from deep water, I surfaced.
Past the web, past the lies, past the destruction that lay in wait for me.
Air, fresh air. Sweet, unpolluted, healthy, happy air.

LIFE.


The Enemy's grip on this world will fade.
In a hostile society steeped with comparisons, the children of God will arise.
The descendants of Abraham will lift their praises to heaven.


"The Enemy comes to kill, steal, and destroy. But HE has come so that you may have life, and life to the full" (John 10:10)

Though the Enemy comes with darkness and hatred,
though the earth be covered in war, plague, and death....

The people of God will stand.
They will wear His armor, made for them through trial.
In Golden light they will stand. With shields of faith locked they will rise.
To the One who is Almighty - El Shaddai - to Him alone will they look.

Let faith arise.
Let hope live!
Our God is mighty to save!
"He will surely deliver us from the snare of the trapper, and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover us with His pinions, and in His wings we will find refuge. His faithfulness will be our shield and our bulwark!" (Psalm 91:4)


Saturday, January 27, 2018

From Seed to Tree

Ever have sleepless nights?

Well, I do.

Here is a word for you.
You are not your red eyes and damaged skin.
Your fear of the dark doesn't define you.
The doubts and questions in your soul,  no matter how big, will not consume you.
The groanings of your heart will not go unanswered.
Your pain is not your enemy.


-----
Our God is Mighty.
King of Kings, He is Lord of Day and Night.
He is my Dad,
The One who causes flowers to grow in the wilderness,
and the barren plains to gush with living water.

Though it is not from Him, my hurts are in His hands.
What the Enemy intended for evil, God has turned into a seed.
Planted in HIs fertile soil- even in my heart!
Tended by Him oh so sweetly and gently-
His banner is over me!

What was intended for evil will become a flowering tree,
and life will burst from its branches- from me, and my heart!
Not one part of it (me) will be left to decay,
none will be lacking sun.

See-- Good things have taken root.
His Word will come forth, a sprout will show.
Life is His, and in His hands secure.
Great and marvelous is He-
Someday, this tree, this girl, this daughter will look back and see,

What was darkest night to me is where He made room for life to grow.
Under the shelter of His wings is where life is found again.
Under His Son, His Stars, you will breathe and flourish,
...Like a tree planted by living water.

What was desert around you will bloom.
His Word is true, His love is steadfast, and not all of time could change its smallest piece.
The wicked will perish, but the people of God will stand, swayed not by the winds of chance or fear.

Your bark (character) will be true,
Your roots (foundation) firm,
and your trunk/core (heart) will be steadfast in Him.

You will be like a tree, and you will be called His own.
Have courage, dear heart.

Morning is coming, but also the night. If you would ask, then ask again.
Who is Lord of the Day?
and Who, then, is Lord of the Night?

When they come, know and see,
and place your trust in Him alone