Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Secure

When changes lurk like bandits around dark corners,
When life's steadiest certainties register on the Richter scale,
When the most dependable crutches don't bear the weight of my cares,
When wedding photos and doorjamb growth charts rise smoky red in the night sky,
When paramedics carry "normal" away on a stretcher,

You, Lord, You make my mountain stand firm.
You make my boundaries secure.
You are my abundantly available help in tight places.
You named Yourself "I Am," yesterday, today, and forever the same.
Your love is my one sure thing.


Shaddai, shelter me in the shadow of Your wings while the storms pass.

Lord, help me to learn how to hang on tight to You when my life is rocked by dramatic change. Empower me to trust You and not to panic or fight for control. Help me to stop confusing a change in my circumstances with a change in my security status. You are my security, O God. You are the one sure thing. When everything around me shakes, You are unshakable. Nothing has the propensity to reveal false gods to me like a sudden change in my circumstances. Help me to see them and surrender them instantaneously. Use change to provoke what needs changing in me, Lord, and to increase my appreciation of the only one who is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Beth Moore, So Long, Insecurity, p. 171).
Amen.

Scripture references: Psalms 30:7; 16:5, NIV1984; 46:1; Exodus 3:14-15; Hebrews 13:8; Ps. 100:5 and many other verses which proclaim the endurance of God's steadfast love; Psalms 57:1 and 91:1.


P.S. Please don't worry. :) There are some uncomfortable changes pushing me towards God right now, but this prayer seeks to move beyond my relatively small stuff to bigger losses I know about. I considered using our/us language but felt that me/my would be more personal here, not because every concern listed applies to me, but with a view to identification with any reader God should bring who is feeling shaken or insecure today.



6 comments:

  1. You are secure, friend. Praying for you and those you love. I've intended to read So Long, Insecurity, but have not. The prayer you share here reminds me of my need. Until then, please know I will pray the scriptures you reference with you in mind today while trusting God to shelter you in the shadow of His wings. Email if needed at all. Love to You.

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  2. It feels a little like the end of the world. But whether it is, or whether it isn't, the end is always our beginning. Praying for you.

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  3. Thank you, precious one. Just so you know, it was your friend in my heart with the line about the fire. The medical emergency was the man at Allen' office Monday. Nothing that dire here. Grateful for prayers at all times.

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  4. Got your message and will call soon, dear one. I know your world has been shaken quite a bit lately, and that was part of the idea in my heart writing this. Anyway, lovely to hear your voice! Prayers always are welcome.

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  5. Lovely offering here. "You are my abundantly available help in tight places." In those places where we feel there's no helping us, no reaching us where we've fallen--God's Love is spacious. This thought is encouraging me tonight. Yes, His love is our one sure thing. May we hold tight to that and let all the rest go. Grace--and Spacious Love--to you, my dear.

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  6. i WAS worrying, and you ARE kind (to have put in the postscript)!

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Thank you for sharing your day with me! Your presence here is a gift. *You* are a gift. Right now I am unable to reply to every comment, but please know I read and pray for each and every commenter. Grace and peace to you in Christ.