But You, Oh Lord, Are a Shield For Me...

But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD. 9 This is the genealogy of Noah. Noah was a just man, perfect in his generations. Noah walked with God.— Genesis 6:8-9

and the LORD shut him in.—Genesis 7:16

But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ ”—Matthew 4:4

Lord...I have found grace by faith in Your Son.  Like Noah, I did nothing to earn it.  Both the faith and grace involved in salvation are Your free gifts.  Like Noah was in the ark and safe from the rising floodwaters, I am in Christ...safe and secure from all that can harm me eternally. Father, keep me walking according to Your testimonies and living  for Your glory in the light of Your love and grace.  

3 But You, O LORD, are a shield for me,

My glory and the One who lifts up my head.

4 I cried to the LORD with my voice,

And He heard me from His holy hill. Selah

5 I lay down and slept;

I awoke, for the LORD sustained me.

6 I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people

Who have set themselves against me all around.

7 Arise, O LORD;

Save me, O my God!

For You have struck all my enemies on the cheekbone;

You have broken the teeth of the ungodly.

8 Salvation belongs to the LORD.

Your blessing is upon Your people. Selah—Psalm 3:3-8

Sin’s Desire is For You...

Your desire shall be for your husband, And he shall rule over you.”—Genesis 3:16

but He did not respect Cain and his offering. And Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell. 6 So the LORD said to Cain, “Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? 7 If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it.”—Genesis 4:5-7

Father...Because of sin and the curse I face struggles from within and struggles from without.  Life in this fallen world is a battle of self-will.  Have mercy on me Lord for I am weak!  I need your help!  I need your divine Spirit to intercede for me, to lead me and to guide me in my relationship not only with my husband and with others, but in my relationship with You!  I often feel as Paul must have felt when he penned Romans 7...

“for I know that in me, nothing good dwells.  I want to do right, but the evil that I do not want is what I keep doing....Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!”

I am so thankful, Father, that In You is victory!  I am thankful that I am not in charge and am not sufficient for anything. I am thankful for my weakness because it is in my weakness and insufficiency that I see my need for You.   I am thankful that the desire of my inner being is to trust You in and for everything.  I give you me today, Father. Heart, mind body and soul. You are both my Creator and my Master...I belong to You.  You know what is best for me.  Deal gently with me and mold me according to Your mercy and grace.  Help me to resist sin and find blessing.  I am never happy when I place myself on the throne of my heart.  Keep me in Your way.  Align my will with Your perfect one. 

They Walk in His Ways...Psalm 119:1-3

Blessed are the undefiled in the way,

Who walk in the law of the LORD!

Blessed are those who keep His testimonies,

Who seek Him with the whole heart!—Psalm 119:1-2

They also do no iniquity;

They walk in His ways.—Ps 119:3

The idea from Psalm 119:1-2 is repeated here in verse 3.  They follow Him with an undivided heart and love Him with all their heart, soul, mind and strength. They are undefiled in the way...purity marks them!  Your word has given them understanding!  They are free from the bonds and deceit of the past that have darkened their way and perverted their thinking.   

I am happy when I obey Your word and walk in Your testimonies.  My heart is full...satisfied and content when You are its whole focus...when my heart is united to trust You.   

Oh Father!  Keep me from a divided heart.  Be pre-eminent in my life. You are my “chief good and my highest end”!  I want to follow hard after....with a heart set apart entirely for You...out of love not duty.  Direct my path in Your love and let no sin have any dominion over me.  Keep me from seeking my own...protect me from the tyranny of me, myself and I. Open my eyes to see and desire Your goodness and grace in my life. May Your perfect will for me rule and overrule all else in my life.  Fill my heart with Your love and cause me to pour it out to convey others into Your kingdom.