Week 26

Believe it or not, this is week 26, AKA halfway through the year!

Psalm 91
1He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.
3Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.
4He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.
5Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;
6Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.
7A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.
8Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.
9Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;
10There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.
11For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.
12They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.
13Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.
14Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.
15He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.
16With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.

I have once again fallen behind on blogging! I did my day of devotion on Monday, but alas, I am now just getting around to writing about it. I should make more of an effort to blog on the day itself as my thoughts surrounding it are more acute.

But, the reason for my tardiness is acceptable to me. I’ve been putting my efforts into finalizing my church newsletter! It will come out Sunday, and I am excited for it. When it comes to ministry, writing, editing, and laying out the newsletter is something that gives me true joy. No matter what my state of mind is, working on the newsletter adds a satisfaction and joy that outshines any other emotion.

This is not true with ushering. I am actually a great usher when I am “myself.” I am attentive. I enjoy serving people. I understand the procedure. However, every once in a while I will have an off ushering day. My point is that ushering doesn’t draw me out of myself the way writing does. LOL!

Verse one of chapter 91 has always been one of my favorite scriptures. The whole chapter reminds me that God will protect me. I can see the evidence of this protection all around. As a woman who lives alone, I rely on the Hand of God to keep me and my home safe. I have woken up countless times to discover that my door was unlocked all night. Yes, I live in a secured building, but I don’t rely on that. I rely on God’s protection. When I hear things bump in the night, I start praying to my refuge and fortress!

When I travel alone in foreign countries, I feel safe. I have friends who have traveled alone and been harassed, followed, and one was molested. Yes, I have some “street smarts” but it has not been the street smarts that have protected me. It has been the Hand of God and the prayers of my family and friends.

This scripture reminds me to me thankful and mindful of the blessings and protections. So, my prayer is simply one of thanks! It is a prayer that I don’t forget where my blessings come from. It is a prayer that I never get high and mighty enough to forget God’s protection. It’s a prayer that I don’t ever take it for granted. And it’s a prayer that God always keep His Hand on me. Despite my shortcomings!