Daily Journal: 10 January

The Lord God

is Your Shield

How often do we meditate on the nearness of God and on His goodness?

We need to cultivate time where we spend considering Him, reflecting on Him, recalling His goodness from yesterday, and maintaining awareness of Him throughout today, especially when we struggle to feel God's nearness, .

Psalm 139:1-6 (NLV)

O Lord, You have looked through me and have known me. You know when I sit down and when I get up. You understand my thoughts from far away. You look over my path and my lying down. You know all my ways very well. Even before I speak a word, O Lord, You know it all. You have closed me in from behind and in front. And You have laid Your hand upon me. All You know is too great for me. It is too much for me to understand.

As part of each day, we need to thank God for all the good things that happen, all the hidden things we may not usually notice. Remember to notice them, and thank the Lord for them.

Your way is not hidden from the Lord.

When we delight ourselves in the Lord, when we draw near to Him, understanding that He is our shield all around us, we experience Him in a fresh way.

Psalm 91:1-2 (CEB)

Living in the Most High’s shelter, camping in the Almighty’s shade, I say to the Lord, “You are my refuge, my stronghold! You are my God—the one I trust!”

Meditation on God's Word and reflection on His nature is intentional. We need to seek Him for Him to be known to us.

James 1:27 (AMP)

Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above; it comes down from the Father of lights [the Creator and Sustainer of the heavens], in whom there is no variation [no rising or setting] or shadow cast by His turning [for He is perfect and never changes].

I pray the Lord’s protection around you and His blessing to rest over you, to govern and guide you, as you recognise that the Lord God is your shield.

Psalm 23:6 (GWT)

Certainly, goodness and mercy will stay close to me all the days of my life, and I will remain in the Lord’s house for days without end.

God's Word is God's Presence. It is Jesus Christ in written form. When we spend time reading and meditating, we come into His Presence. As we draw close to Him, He will draw close to us, and show Himself to us.

Psalm 37:3-5 (NKJV)

Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass.