Focus

As you quiet yourself for this brief time, be willing to be open to God in whatever way that may take place.

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Read

Psalm 115:9-18 (NRSV)

O Israel, trust in the LORD!
He is their help and their shield.
O house of Aaron, trust in the LORD!
He is their help and their shield.
You who fear the LORD, trust in the LORD!
He is their help and their shield.

The LORD has been mindful of us; he will bless us;
he will bless the house of Israel;
he will bless the house of Aaron;
he will bless those who fear the LORD,
both small and great.

May the LORD give you increase,
both you and your children.
May you be blessed by the LORD,
who made heaven and earth.

The heavens are the LORD’s heavens,
but the earth he has given to human beings.
The dead do not praise the LORD,
nor do any that go down into silence.
But we will bless the LORD
from this time on and forevermore.
Praise the LORD!

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Reflect

We all need someone to be our shield. Kenny is my shield when I’m faced with an IV. I have had traumatic experiences in hospitals with nurses trying to insert IV tubes. My husband stands up as my protector and defender, shielding me from the occasional unsympathetic nurse. He does not stand behind me; he stands before me and guards me. When I am fragile and nervous and ask to be numbed first, he insists that the medical personnel do so. Kenny knows that for me the lydocaine stick is completely different than what I experience with the insertion of an IV tube in my sensitive veins. He backs me up. He is strong for me when I am vulnerable because he knows why I am anxious.

Kenny can give blood with no problem. He gives himself insulin shots. Needles don’t bother him. He could have an attitude with me of, “It’s just a little needle!” But what may be trivial for him, he knows, is a battle for me.

God knows what you’ve been through, where you’re coming from, what makes you anxious. So, God also knows when you need protection, defense, and a warrior to shield you. God knows when the battle is too much for you to handle on your own, so God handles it with you. That doesn’t mean you won’t go through battles, but that God will be there with you. You won’t be alone.

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Pray

Lord of mercy and grace, thank you for the protection you provide. Thank you for putting people in our lives who share your strength with us. Use us to be your presence in the lives of others. Help us Lord, to praise your name now and forever more. Amen.

Go with God.