Lord, You alone deserve all glory, honor, and praise, for there is no one else like You. You are the Living God, Maker of heaven and earth, and yet You know my name. You know my anxious thoughts, and You know when I grow weary from the challenges of life. I come to You with a thankful heart, even though life is so very hard right now.
You have taught me that living with a thankful heart allows me to abide with You.
My gaze landed on the mountaintop in the distance. Blue-purple ribbons of rolling hills surrounded the giant dome. I was in the battle of faith and despair, trying to let faith win out. Why are you troubled and weary, Nan? I asked myself. Why so downcast? Put your hope in God, Maker of heaven and earth.
I often lecture myself. I suppose King David did the same. Throughout the psalms, his dialogue addresses the battle of faith and despair, spirit and flesh. Mountaintops reminded David of God, just like they do for me.
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Lord, I need You. You are a very present help in times of trouble. You are my peace when I am overwhelmed. Your grace is enough because You are enough. Your love cannot be exhausted, for it is from everlasting to everlasting … You will love me forever.
Tears flow as I speak these words because I sense Your presence drawing near to strengthen me. Life in this fallen world is hard and growing harder by the day.
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Father, You are the Lord — there is no other. You call me by name! May I never forget Your tender watchcare, for Your love astounds me. You found me in the wilderness place and brought me up into a haven of still waters and lush green pastures where I could rest from the harshness of this world. Your presence became a healing balm to me, Lord, a burst of joy.
And Your presence remains.
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Father, Your voice is powerful, majestic. You spoke, and there was light. You spoke, and the earth was formed out of the chaos as Your presence hovered above the darkness. The earth is in chaos again, Lord — yes, it has form, it is tangible — but things are given to the depravity of men, and it seems that evil has been unleashed.
But Your Voice … Your voice calms the storm, Your voice breaks strongholds, causes the wilderness to shake. Your voice brings new life, heals the brokenhearted, calls the lost, and restores the hopeless.
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O Lord, You are the God who sees me and knows all about it. How can it be? What manner of love is this? You are not a god that is afar off — no. You are a God who is as near as my next breath. I am overwhelmed by Your love … I am overcome with thankfulness.
I love You, Lord. Thank You for holding my hand as I wander through valleys on my way to the mountaintop. Thank You for being a shield about me.
I will bless You, O Lord. I will lift up my hands in worship, for You are the Great God, Maker of Heaven and Earth. Teach me to rest in You that You might renew my strength and joy. For You are my Creator, Almighty God, and my Abba Father. I am found in You … I am kept by You. And yet … yet so often I struggle.
Unlike King David, I don’t have physical enemies. No one is chasing after me to take my life. But I, indeed, have enemies — enemies of the soul: anxiety, overwhelm, illness, dwindling bank account …
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Lord, no heart can comprehend how great You are, how sensitive You are to our needs and concerns. Your tender watchcare amazes me, Your extravagant love lifts me above the fray, as Your presence wraps me in Your light that overcomes my darkness. Thank You.
A simple thank you doesn’t seem to be enough for Your advocacy on my behalf. To consider that You, Jesus, pray for me, that You stand in the gap and intercede to the Father for me, is mind-boggling. And yet You do … by faith, I know You do.
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Lord, this world has become so harsh, selfish, and abusive in many ways. I suppose this is what You warned us about when You spoke of the depravity of mankind in the last days. It’s so hard not to get caught up in the vitriol, not to lash back when verbally assaulted by someone with differing opinions.
But You call me to love others, even the unlovable. You call me to love with Calvary love that extends to everyone. Unconditionally.
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Father … Almighty God … I come before You on behalf of Your beloved Israel. You are the Lord of Hosts — the God of Angel Armies! Send Your legions of angels to assist Your people. You have called them to be as a rising Lion, alert and ready to attack the enemy. Strengthen these, Your people.
You are a very present help in trouble. Thank You. Thank You for Your presence in battle, in sorrow, in fear, and in overwhelm. Go with the Israeli army into battle and shield them from danger.
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O Lord, I’m so blessed to be Your child. Thank You for Your tender, diligent watchcare over me. I’m overwhelmed by the difficult places in my life, and yet, I am aware of Your precious presence. Help me walk on this stormy sea to reach Your embrace.
I hear Your voice calling to me, “Do not be afraid.” You are encouraging me to reach out for Your hand and to trust You. But the waves are high and ferocious.
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Lord, You are my strength and my shield. I place my trust in You, and I am helped. You are faithful and true … I trust in Your Word. You have taught me that it is not by my might, nor by my power, but by Your Spirit that I can overcome any mountain that is in my way and any giant that is in my land.
For You are not against me, Lord. No! You are for me. You call me Your daughter.
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