If God Be For Us...

A Mighty Fortress

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What then shall we say to these things?

If God is for us, who can be against us?

He who did not spare His own Son, 

but delivered Him up for us all,

how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?

Who shall bring a charge against God's elect?

It is God who justifies,Who is he who condemns?

It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen,

who is even at the right hand of God,

who also makes intercession for us.

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?

Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, 

or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

As it is written:

"For Your sake we are killed all day long;

We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter."

Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors

through Him who loved us.

For I am persuaded that neither death nor life,

nor angels nor principalities nor powers,

nor things present nor things to come,

nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing,

shall be able to separate us from the love of God 

which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

- Romans 8:31-19

As I had written in my end of month post for September, living alone has made me aware of many things. My time is mostly my own, in a manner of speaking. This has given me so much room to think, to evaluate choices I have made in the past, to look at the past years with perspective and understanding. 

Many of the things Ernie and I have accumulated no longer seem so important. Only a very few things are valuable to me now.

On November 1, I arrived home at about 10 p.m. and discovered that my front gate was open, as well as the gate leading to my garden. I immediately knew that an intruder had gotten into my premises, and before long, I discovered that my bonsai collection of mini roses, jade plants, as well as Chosen One's succulents have been stolen. My bonsai collection is over fifteen years old, some of them planted in beautiful celadon antique pottery. 

Because they have been on a special table in my garden for years, clearly visible to passersby, it never occurred to me that anyone would have the audacity to actually enter my garden and take them.

My first response was to thank God that nothing else of value was taken. And above all, that the intruders did not break in and enter my home. I praised God for His protection. 

My bonsai collection was precious to me primarily because of the fifteen plus years (or more) of care and nurture that I had given them. The joy of seeing new mini roses blooming every week of the year has been worth the little amount of time it has taken for me to look after them every day.

The tiled table for my collection stood empty and forlorn the next morning. It was also my bird feeder table. Without the pots, the birds did not touch the bird seed that I had scattered for them. It must have looked strange to them, bird seed on the table without any of the potted plants that used to give them shade and perching spots.

There was no point in being angry, or sad at my loss. I have taken new cuttings from my garden and will soon be starting a new bonsai collection. This time, I will keep them in my small back garden, away from prying eyes and eager hands. I will shop around for beautiful pottery for them.

I also decided to change my low front gate. My new higher wrought iron gate will be installed this week. Much as I hate having padlocks, I have no choice but to use one for the new gate.

My real treasure is in heaven where thieves do not break in and steal.

Yes, among my many realizations is that only a few things can be considered valuable in this life. Even the nature of my friendships is changing. Friends who I thought were real friends seem to be drifting away... was it something I had done or not done... or maybe something I said, or didn't say?

Dear friends I treasure have also started attending different churches, so even the dynamic of seeing my friends at church on Sunday mornings is changing.

These changes sadden me, but I understand that it is part of the end times scenario. Many will be offended... love will grow cold...

It is a scheme of the enemy... to divide and conquer. But in this year of kingdom advance, one prophetic word that has spoken deeply to my spirit is this:

Now is not the time to give up on your covenant relationships within the body of Christ. You have been tempted to cut ties and retreat. It is in the context of relationship, however, that you will be blessed beyond your wildest expectation. Prepare to inherit riches as you reunify with your brothers and sisters. (Melissa Flores, Defining Words)

Now is not the time to give up.

This is such a timely word for me.

And if there is anything these realizations are teaching me, it is that God alone is the solid rock on which I stand, a mighty fortress, a bulwark never failing. 

A bulwark is a defensive wall, a rampart.

Important things, events, and persons in our lives come and go... but God, Almighty God, is a bulwark... unchanging... constant... the same yesterday, today, and forever.

One name of God that I really love is Jehovah Sabaoth, Lord of Hosts or Angel Armies. "Hosts" is a military term that appears more than 200 times in the Bible. Jehovah Sabaoth is the name God uses when He goes to war in behalf of His people.

One clear example of this is when David, face to face with Goliath that mighty Philistine giant, said:

You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin.

But I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts,

the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.

- 1 Samuel 17:45

As Jehovah Sabaoth God has mighty angelic armies at His command. And this God is on my side. He is for me. His name is a strong tower. He is called a Defender of widows in Psalm 68:5.

Look at this amazing passage:

... you... will not remember the reproach of your widowhood anymore.

For your Maker is your Husband.

The LORD of hosts is His name;
And your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel,
He is called the God of the whole earth.

- Isaiah 54:5

As a widow, I have often felt so vulnerable. But this passage clearly says that my Maker is my husband. These lines are so personal, so real. The One who created me is the only One who can love me, protect me, and care for me. A woman's earthly husband is an imperfect reflection of her true heavenly husband. To redeem means to defend or to rescue from evil. Jehovah Sabaoth stands ready to fight for my cause! 

Knowing all this gives me such unshakable security and assurance in my God. Whatever circumstances I find myself in, Jehovah Sabaoth is fighting for me. Therefore the victory is sure.

My third grandson, Joyful One is one month old today! Just as I had done with my two other grandsons, it is a privilege to offer a special prayer for him as he turns a month older.

I woke up this morning with this verse on my heart:

If God be for us, who can be against us?

That passage from Romans 8:31-39 is one of my top favorites. God is a mighty fortress, the Lord of angel armies who fights for His people.  We may be accounted as sheep for the slaughter, nevertheless, in all these things, we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.

The circumstances of Joyful One's birth were far from ideal. A month ago, my heart was unsure of how things would turn out, yet trusting in no one else but my God who rejoices over His children with singing, and quiets their anxious hearts with His love.

Today, as dear Joyful One turns one month old, I offer this special prayer for him:

My Jehovah Sabaoth, my grandson Joyful One is safe in Your arms. The enemy did try to shake our faith, tried to make us doubt Your goodness, but once again You triumphed over his evil plans.

You are strong, and mighty. You are our strong deliverer! 

With You on our side, the victory is secure. 

I declare today that Joyful One will know You as His Jehovah Sabaoth, the Lord of Angel Armies.

You have shown me time and again that You are for me, and that You hold my life in Your hands.

What this world offers has little value and is temporary, but the eternal weight of Your glory is mine for all eternity!

My family is a precious part of my life, Lord. I offer my grandson to You, for Your continued protection. You surround Him with angelic escorts. You alone are God, majestic Creator and Ruler of the universe, You sit enthroned upon the heavens, sovereign over the affairs of our lives.

Be exalted in the life of Joyful One dear God, as he has reached one month of his young life, healthy, gaining strength, and receiving love and affirmation from all who love him.

You alone are worthy to be praised in the life of my grandson, heavenly Father!

 28 days old

 one month old

 with loving parents 

a mini cake to celebrate Joyful One's first month of life 

Three special songs for Joyful One: