“The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer,
My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge;
My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”
Psalm 18:2
Seminary class was about to start, and I realized I was weaker and tired than usual. Under my care were two developing ministries, each needing particular attention and consideration. On the one hand, the challenge was stimulating, but the reality of needs was also immense.
Furthermore, I was a young father, and my wife and I were in what I now call the “redlining” years. As all little ones do, our kiddos needed physical attention, which meant periods of sleepless nights, rocking to sleep, and hand-to-mouth nourishment of young tummies.
Yet, all the numerous seminary assignments, complex ministry situations, and intentional consideration for my marriage also needed thoughtful engagement.
And so, as I was walking to class, I distinctly remember coming across a green lizard hiding in the bushes. My mind was jolted from considering the weight of the moment, and so I took a picture to remember:
Recounting God’s sovereign grace, yet not without difficulty, I prayed. It went something like this, “God, help me now, as you have helped then. Amen.” No magic fireworks went off; no warm feeling came over me, just a renewed confidence that my God was with me, and that was enough.
Years later, as I reflect on that season, my mind reviews everything God has done to bring me to that point as a seminary student, young father, husband, and one of the pastors at Denton Bible, and I am reminded that God’s presence is enough. He is enough.
How Does This Apply To Our Lives Today?
- What season are you in?
- Consider writing down your season on a piece of paper. Empty-nester? Young parent? Single adult? Grandparent? Recognizing your season is the first step to respecting and redeeming your season.
- What challenges and successes are you experiencing?
- Once you’ve written your season, write about the challenges and successes you’ve experienced. Perhaps you could place them in categories such as friends, work, marriage, civic volunteering, ministry, etc.
- What boundaries do you need to set in your season?
- Take some time to think about your time. Is there balance in how you invest your time? Do you spend a lot of time doing one thing or another? Consider evaluating your time based on these categories (spiritual, intellectual, physical fitness, work or vocation, entertainment, relationships, and any you want to add). What does respecting your season look like?
- In what ways has God’s nearness been felt?
- Underneath those categories, consider writing down examples of how God’s nearness has been felt, whether insignificant or meaningful.
- Pray for God to comfort you in this season.
- Consider praying, “God, I know that You are here…help me to know and understand your presence and nearness to me. Remind me of the joy of my salvation.” Another prayer might be, “God, thank you for your nearness. You are my Rock and my Fortress. In You, I have all I need. Be with me today as I embark on my commitments and responsibilities.”
- Read Scripture that reminds you of God’s nearness.
- “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God” 2 Cor. 1:3-4.
- “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me” Psalm 23:4.
- “‘Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light'” Matt. 11:28-30.
- “‘Do not fear, for I am with you; do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand’” Isaiah 41:10.
God, help us remember that You are our Rock in every season. Amen.
— August 28, 2024