I find him lurking on the sidelines. Treading water near the shoreline. Near enough to go by unnoticed yet close enough to leap into the moment when the opportunity arises. I don’t like when he stops by…especially unannounced. He is unwelcome. unwanted. wholly part of the old. He brings me down and brings on the tears. He whispers lies. He stirs up doubt and wants me to hide. He shows up at the most inconvenient times when my heart is already a tad raw and vulnerable. Ah, but that is his specialty…timing. He wants to show up when I’m weak, but what he forgets is that when I am weak, my King is strong. He wants to keep me from running into my Savior’s arms. To make me feel that because of what I have done that I cannot go my Beloved. He’s wrong. When I take refuge in my Strong Tower that is when I am complete. The battle is already won. And as my eyes gaze into my Protector, I am radiant with joy and there is no shadow of him. He is not allowed to take up residence in my heart or on my face. So, every time he tries to make an appearance, I turn to the One who answers my questions and who loves me. My Defender is the one who will kick him far away so that I instead will be covered with grace, mercy, hope, joy, love. I am after all…like a sparkling jewel in my King’s crown.
Zechariah 9:16 The LORD their God will save them on that day as the flock of his people. They will sparkle in his land like jewels in a crown.
1 Peter 5:4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.
Isaiah 62:3 You will also be a crown of beauty in the hand of the LORD, And a royal diadem in the hand of your God.
Proverbs 4:9 She will place on your head a garland of grace; She will present you with a crown of beauty.
Isaiah 51:11 The ransomed of the LORD will return. They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.
Psalm 34:5 Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces.
ht: inspired after reading Sara Markley’s post.
b'ahava 