From the Inside Out

“Let all who take refuge in you be glad;

let them ever sing for joy.

Spread your protection over them,

that those who love your name

may rejoice in you.

Surely, Lord, you bless the righteous;

you surround them with your favor

as with a shield.”

–Psalm 5:11-12

Thank you, Father, for each line of encouragement here, presenting truth worthy of contemplation and celebration. To that end this is my prayer:

I praise you, O God, for being my unfailing refuge—my protector and sanctuary.

Year after year you have:

• Supplied my needs, like the three teaching positions you provided–each one a miracle (1)
• Brought me through difficult circumstances, including moves to new communities that initially I wanted no part of
• Surprised my husband and me with delights we didn’t expect, such as a generous check enclosed with a note, suggesting we enjoy much-needed R & R at our favorite getaway

(Aviles Street, St. Augustine, FL)

I’m not just glad you’re my refuge, I’m elated! My heart sings in celebration of your perfections, sovereignty, and kindness. You provide unending delight!

You have been my protection, preserving my life:

• In dangerous circumstances, including that narrow mountain road outside Quito, Ecuador
• From near accidents, such as that red-light runner who could have sent me spinning into heavy traffic
• Through natural disasters, like those hurricanes during our forty years in Florida

(Hurricane Charley damage, 2004)

You have been my protection emotionally, carrying me through:

• The incomprehensible, like the senseless death of a young friend
• Hurtful circumstances, when those we trusted proved unreliable
• Disappointment, as certain hopes were not realized

I thank you, Father, for every time you’ve limited our ordeals so we could endure; and when necessary you’ve given us your strength to withstand every difficulty (2).

I praise you, O God, that the righteous are not those who always say and do the right thing. Such a standard would disqualify me. Rather, the righteous include those who trust in you and love your many names–Shepherd, Counselor, Helper, and more.

I praise you that your favor includes adoption into your family, freedom from the eternal consequences of our sin, and freedom from guilt—when we ask Jesus into our lives (3).

You graciously give us access to your presence. And when we come you are always ready to listen, uplift, and advise (4).

You’ve designed us for purpose, to give us glorious satisfaction in life, and day after day you lavish blessing (5), including:

• The privilege to watch children grow—from first steps to first race, from mere sounds to sentences, from making scribbles to writing stories
• The delight of old friends we know well and new friends we want to know well
• Your creativity all around us, whether it’s azure skies or smoke-like clouds, sunbeam ribbons or raindrop jewels, verdant treetops or bare filigree branches

Your shield of favor also stands between each of us and the evil forces on every side. You are beneath us as a foundation, over us as a shelter, at our right hand as security, before us to lead the way, and within us to provide strength (6).

Keep me mindful of all these glorious truths, O God—truths that make me more than glad. And as this new year begins, may my days be laced with praise to you, my choices motivated by gratitude to you, and my faith be strong in you until that day you take me home.

Notes:

1. Two of those miracles are detailed in other posts, After the Fact and The Greater Plan.
2. 1 Corinthians 10:13; Isaiah 41:10
3. Ephesians 1:3-7
4. Ephesians 3:18; 1 Peter 3:12; 2 Corinthians 1:3; Psalm 145:14; James 1:5
5. Ephesians 1:11-12, 2:10; John 1:16
6. Isaiah 28:16; Psalm 91:1; Psalm 73:23; John 10:3b, 4b; 1 John 4:4

(Photo credits:  http://www.publicdomainpictures.net; http://www.heartlight.org; http://www.publicdomainpictures.net; naplesnews.com; http://www.bible.com; http://www.heartlight.org; http://www.pixabay.com; http://www.commons.wikipedia.org.)

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