Called to Stand

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xU771D5AYWE

Holy Ground ~ Passion ft. Melodie Malone 

Who is this King of glory?

    The Lord strong and mighty,

    the Lord mighty in battle.

~ Psalm 24:8 NIV

In the 2002 movie Signs, after crop circles appeared on the farmer’s land, his kids started reading about aliens. Then, one day, the farmer found his kids and brother-in-law watching the news with aluminum foil on their heads, so that the aliens couldn’t read their thoughts. We laugh at the aluminum foil scene, but honestly, with all the extremes on the news these days, there are people in both camp extremes: some with their heads in the sand and some already wearing aluminum foil. Fear can be a great motivator; but more often than not, fear is the greatest paralyzer, holding you as a powerless prisoner to what might happen. 

What if it didn’t have to - what if there was another choice besides head-in-sand and aluminum-foil-on-head? Fear only has power when it has your attention. What if you cut off its power supply by shifting your focus? 

Prime Time with God: Reflecting on the Names and Nature of God is a devotional I read. The title from the other day was, “The Lord Mighty in Battle,” from Psalm 24:8. It was the prayer at the end that really hit me between the eyes. It said, “Lord, I’ll not look at the strength of the Enemy; I’ll look to Your might.” I was shocked by the revelation that I had been focusing on the strength of the enemy, instead of power and might of my God. That revelation was my wake-up call to pull off the aluminum foil, lift my head from the sand, and STAND! 

We are a people called to STAND. Not cower, not crumble: we’re called to dress in holy armor and then stand. The enemy will come against God’s people and he will bring a mighty force. But when we’re not distracted by the enemy’s strength, when we’re focusing on God’s power and might, regardless of what the enemy brings and flashes in front of us, we’ll be able to stand.

Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. ~ Ephesians 6:13 NIV

©Heather Potts 2021

He Came

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xU771D5AYWE

Holy Ground ~ Passion, ft. Melanie Malone

 

I waited patiently and expectantly for the Lord; And He inclined to me and heard my cry. ~ Psalms 40:1 AMP

 

Have you ever noticed that sometimes when you read scripture it can change from words on a page to a truth you know from experience or revelation? A pastor once said it’s harder for people, circumstances, and the devil to get you to doubt Truth once you’ve experienced it for yourself. Experience sums up Psalm 34:8, “Taste and see that the Lord is good…” Once you’ve experienced God’s faithfulness, His forgiveness, or one of His many other promises and attributes, someone would be hard-pressed to convince you that it was a lie.

 

Psalm 40:1 paints a beautiful picture of how we can experience God amid our circumstances. The word inclined means to lean down, step down, or pitch a tent. When you’re going through difficult, new, or painful situations, wouldn’t it bring you peace knowing Jesus was in your camp? Think about it, you’re going through some rough circumstances, maybe causing many restless nights, but in walks Jesus with His own sleeping bag and pillow—not because He sleepy—to stay with you for the duration of the journey. Just like my children come into my bed, seeking protection and comfort after nightmares or during violent thunderstorms, God comes to you, to comfort and protect you, during your painful and scary storms.

 

If you are struggling with something, don’t try to take on this season alone. God is waiting for you to invite Him into your situation, to help, heal, comfort, encourage, and journey with you.

©Heather Potts 2021