But in the depths of my heart I truly know
that you, Yahweh, have become my Shield;
You take me and surround me with yourself.
Your glory covers me continually.
You lift high my head when I bow low in shame. Psalm 3:3 TPT
I am not exactly sure when my heart began to believe that Jesus would always be “the shield” for my heart.
If I had to guess, I would say it was in those last years of caring for my Dad, who was slowly losing his battle with cancer.
There was this fear deep inside that began to grip my heart, and it went something like this, “What will I do now? Who will protect me once he is gone?”
My dad was far from perfect, but he was the one I could run to, when my life became overwhelming. We would talk things through. And, though I didn’t always agree with him, I believed his offer of help would always be there–like a shield against the storms I faced.
Shield of Divine Love
It was somewhere in those dark days of grief and loss, that God began to show me He was my, “Abba—always.”
He began to teach me that He had been my Shield from my first breath.
And He would be my shield until my last breath.
(Abba, the Hebrew word for Daddy.)
It was only baby steps at first.
But, this is where the real intimacy began.
The wonder of dancing with Jesus.
It wasn’t that fear wouldn’t try to show his ugly face again, but I could turn my heart in any fearful moment, and there God would be–close; intimate.
- A Faithful–Father whispering to my heart.
- Teaching me about who He had always been.
- Who He would always be.
When others walked out–He walked in.
When others wrote me off.
He whispered, “Chosen…”
But as for you, …you are mine, my chosen ones; …I have called you back from the ends of the earth and said that you must serve but me alone, for I have chosen you and will not throw you away. Fear not, for I am with you. Do not be dismayed. I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.
Isaiah 41: 8-10 TLB
There will be risks…
Yes, most definitely there will be risks!
Jesus does not call us to a “safe life” in terms of no risks.
(How boring that would be!)
No, He calls us out onto the waves.
He beckons our heart to trust Him absolutely.
No matter what has happened in the past, we can entrust Him with our future.
Abba-always is our God.
Father,
Thank you for always being there–when we feel You close–and, when we don’t.
Whatever is waiting in this New Year Abba, will you come and lead us out into destiny’s dance?
Will You take us into Your mighty arms, and teach us once again, just how much You love us?
We reach out now to take Your hand, even if we must do it afraid, may we trust You to bring us into the abundant life You have planned for us.
We give you our fears.
We surrender our heart, again.
Shield us by Your love, in Jesus Name,
Amen.
Women With Destiny 