I colored this pic the other day and ended up applying it as new wallpaper across all my devices.
I only wish I could have cropped it to fit my phone in such a way
as to include all of its glorious richness in detail.
Still. What I was able to do serves as a daily reminder and pairs nicely
with David’s prayer for rescue from his enemies.
He wraps his thoughts up by saying this:
“But as for me, I will sing of Your mighty strength and power;
yes, I will sing joyfully of Your lovingkindness in the morning;
for You have been my stronghold and a refuge in the day of my distress.”
Psalm 59:16-17 AMP
Distress, as defined by Dictionary.com:
great pain, anxiety, or sorrow; acute physical or mental suffering; affliction; trouble
I’ve been deeply challenged here recently and after watching “The Chosen”, Episode 1, Season 3…
when Jesus so earnestly looks Judas Iscariot in the eye and says, “I require…that you seek to be like Me.
Are you ready to do hard things? Will you praise GOD?” …I felt like He was talking to me!
It’s not always easy; many times I stumble. Other times, yet, I tend to get stuck,
much like the little bear in this picture that can be found on the far right side, about halfway up.
The Word is ever present, though, to catch, preserve, help me get back up,
or help guide me back down. My GOD is Greater! He is More Than Adequate, Abundant and Able!
No, my enemies don’t have me tree’d when I lean with more trust into Jesus’ Frame.
Following His way leads to Healing, Refreshing and Peace.
He loves me too much to allow me to deceive myself and while His chosen topics
might sting and burn for a little while, that’s just Him ever so lovingly Defining.
The end result promises to be a prize far more precious than gold
that is put to the fire in the process of refining.
”To You, O God, my strength, I will sing praises;
for You are my stronghold [my refuge, my protector, my high tower],
the GOD Who shows me steadfast lovingkindness.”
Psalms 59:17 AMP
Yes, Jesus, You do get me; more importantly, I pray, I get You!
When it comes to the everyday matters of the heart, may my soul find its delight in Your truth!
Father God, I realize You’re gonna do me a solid by working in everything needed
to teach and train me to walk by the power of Your Spirit. Bless my perspective at every turn
and help me to love and trust You, just like Jesus! The gifts You have waiting, well,
I just want to declare ahead of time…as my Creator You sit on the Throne;
it’s Your Kingdom I now seek, so I celebrate their worth!
“Every generous act and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights;
with Him there is no variation or shadow cast by turning. By His own choice, He gave us a new birth
by the message of truth so that we would be the firstfruits of His creatures. We, out of all creation,
became His prized possession!
Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak,
and slow to get angry. Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires.
So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts,
for it has the power to save your souls. But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says.
Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. For if you listen to the word and don’t obey,
it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like.
But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says
and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.”
James 1: 17 HCSB/ 18-25 NLT