Psalm 59:16-17 But I will sing of your strength; I will sing aloud of your steadfast love in the morning. For you have been to me a fortress and a refuge in the day of my distress. O my Strength, I will sing praises to you, for you, O God, are my fortress, the God who shows me steadfast love.
The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
I had to skip one day of James to praise God for His merciful kindness and in His ability to be my fortress.
For the last year, I have focused hard on praising God in the middle of the storms of life.
Sometimes, I praise Him in the middle of the storm to anchor onto rock-solid hope.
Sometimes, I praise Him in the middle of the storm to keep my focus on Him.
Sometimes, I praise Him in the middle of the storm to cry out to Him for His help.
Sometimes, I do it because I have trained myself to do it and I know it's the right thing to do.
All good reasons.
Today, I praised Him in the middle of the turbulent storm so I wouldn't cry from being overwhelmed. I sang and praised Him to keep my mouth from saying the wrong things, from letting my mind go temporarily into the depths of despair. I sang because I needed to be close to Him, Father God, the Holy Spirit and Jesus my Redeemer. My heart was filled, my mind stayed away from trouble and settled on the truth of who God is and that He is in charge of all things. I need not fear, for He is with me. He is my fortress, my protection, my shield.
Thank you, God, for being there for me today; for never letting me down. You will finish what you started in me. You will never leave me nor forsake me. Amen.
BATTLE BELONGS by Phil Wickham.
Lyrics: When all I see is the battle, You see my victory. When all I see is the mountain, you see a mountain moved. And as I walk through the shadow, your love surrounds me. There's nothing to fear now for I am safe with you.
So when I fight, I fight on my knees with my hands lifted high, Oh God, the battle belongs to you. And every fear I lay at your feet. I sing through the night. Oh, God, the battle belongs to you!
And if You are for me, who can be against me? For Jesus, there's nothing impossible for you. When all I see are the ashes, you see the beauty, Thank you God! When all I see is the cross, God, you see the empty tomb.
So when I fight, I fight on my knees with my hands lifted high, Oh God, the battle belongs to you. And every fear I lay at your feet. I sing through the night. Oh, God, the battle belongs to you!
Almighty fortress, You go before us. Nothing can stand against the power of our God. You shine in the shadow, You win every battle. Nothing can stand against the power of our God.
An Almighty fortress, You go before us. Nothing can stand against the power of our God. You shine in the shadow, You win every battle. Nothing can stand against the power of our God.
An Almighty fortress, You go before us. Nothing can stand against the power of our God. You shine in the shadow, You win every battle. Nothing can stand against the power of our God.
So when I fight, I fight on my knees with my hands lifted high, Oh God, the battle belongs to you. And every fear I lay at your feet. I sing through the night. Oh, God, the battle belongs to you!
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