Skip to main content

I Will Not Be Shaken

I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken. (Psalm 16:8)

 

As they danced, they sang: “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands.” (I Samuel 18:7)

 

            Imagine going into battle with David or Joshua by your side. And let’s be real about it. If they stood beside you as an enemy approached, they’d likely tell you to hide in a cave, while they did the fighting. At least, they’d put me in a cave, and probably block it up with stones. They’d probably tell me to boil some water and do the dishes while they took care of the fighting, because they’d want tea when they were done.  None of that is because I’m a woman. It’s because I’m not a warrior and doing them would keep me occupied and let me feel as if I’m supporting the cause while they’re out doing what I can’t. If I fought at their side, I’d probably get them killed. This is why when I see those memes about whether I’d help a cop in trouble, I have to say, “Um, no. Sorry.” Chances are too good that  my involvement would make things vastly worse for the poor officer if I did any more than called 9-1-1.

            Of course, what made David and Joshua so magnificent in battle was that God was at their right hands. So, God at my right hand is even better than David or Joshua at my right hand. Equally obviously, I find it much easier to look at the problem than to keep my eyes on the Lord. What’s worse is that I find it even easier to look at the problems than to keep my eyes on the Lord. And the worst is that I find it easier to look at the problems that aren’t even problems yet than to keep my eyes on the Lord.

            Some people talk about what they call a “centering prayer.” The purpose seems to be to address just the problem I’m talking about. As my mind goes into a tailspin, I need to look to God. The prayer that comes to mind is:

Oh Lord, You are God, and I am not. I bow the knee. Guide me in the way I should go. 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Saved?

  I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.” (John 10:28-30) “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, “I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’ ” (Matthew 7:21-23) Not at all! Let God be true, and every human being a liar. As it is written: “So that you may be proved right when you speak and prevail when you judge.” (Romans 3:4)   What conclusion do you draw when someone who was raised in a Christian family and church, perhaps even playing a significant role in a chur...
Post a Comment
Read more

A Virgin?

           Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. (Isaiah 7:14)           This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. (Matthew 1:18)           But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.”            “How will this be,” Mary asked the...
Post a Comment
Read more

Meditations of the Heart

  May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. (Psalm19:14)           As I started writing this post, I noted that the meditations of my heart are all over the mental landscape, from a hub where eight superhighways come together to a lunar or nuclear landscape. Do you see my error? The moment I read the word meditation , I think about thoughts. But what’s described here is the meditations of our hearts ; our wills.           While the meditations of our minds may be all over the place, the meditations of our wills tend to be a little more stable by the time we are adults. We no longer tend to want to pursue the ten separate careers we did in any given day as children. Part of this is humble acceptance of reality. We come to understand that we can’t do it all. I think another part of it is disappointmen...
Post a Comment
Read more