She Buildeth Her House

Devotions

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Simple Principles for Defeating Giants-Part 1

It’s so easy to hear a familiar Bible story, nod, and think, “Yeah, I’ve heard that story before,” without really stopping to think about the significance of the story. I was struck with several principles while reading 1 Samuel 17, the story of David & Goliath. God showed me just how relevant it is to my life right now.

So here’s the first principle I was impressed by in this study of David’s approach to killing a giant:

1. David was filled with the Spirit of God before he ever faced the battle.

In 1 Samuel 16:13, the chapter BEFORE he killed Goliath, the Spirit of God came upon David as he was chosen to be the future king. David didn’t have to go spend hours in prayer before attempting to defeat this giant, begging to be filled with God’s Spirit. He didn’t have to wonder if God was with him. Nope. He was ready for the battle before he even knew
that there was a battle.

APPLICATION: Always be prepared. 

Today might be a normal ho-hum day with no real unexpected events. No unannounced visitors. No loved ones in crisis. Nothing exciting to speak of at all. 

OR…

It might hold events that change your life forever.

You may face the biggest battle of your life TODAY. 

David teaches us to be ready always because in the face of a battle, there’s not usually time to prepare. Spend time with the Lord before the battle arrives. Be ready, so you can stand strong in the face of life’s giants instead of cowering in fear, trying to hurry and get right with God… while the giant stands outside and taunts you, your loved ones, and your God.

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How to Find the Help You’re Looking For

“There is no king saved by the multitude of an host: A mighty man is not delivered by much strength. An horse is a vain thing for safety: Neither shall he deliver any by his great strength.

Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him, Upon them that hope in his mercy; To deliver their soul from death, And to keep them alive in famine. Our soul waiteth for the LORD: He is our help and our shield. For our heart shall rejoice in him, Because we have trusted in his holy name. Let thy mercy, O LORD, be upon us, According as we hope in thee.”
‭‭ Psalm‬ ‭33:16-22‬ ‭‬‬

I find it ironic that often as Christians we strive to be strong, to do it all, to seek deliverance and comfort at our own hands—-when time after time in scripture we are reminded that His strength comes from our choice to admit our weakness. From fearing Him. Trusting Him. Waiting on Him.

Reread that scripture. Then read it again. What are you seeking today? Deliverance? Help? A shield from life’s storms? He has an answer for you today.

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Reflecting His Light

Sitting alone in the stillness one morning at a beach vacation, I was struck with the beauty of the clouds. But then it dawned on me that the clouds’ beauty actually came from the reflection of the sun I couldn’t yet see. In fact, I couldn’t see the sun at all because of the location of our porch in relation to the position of the sunrise.

But the closer the sun came to shining its beautiful face, the brighter the clouds got, until they were almost glowing.

All those clouds had the ability to shine like that, but their relationship to the sun is what determined their beauty.

Where are you today in relationship to the Son? Are you off in the distance, doing your own thing, or are you as close as you can get, reflecting His beauty to a hopeless, desperate world?

Let your needs and sins draw you TO Him, not shame you or push you away to try to get yourself straightened up first. When my kids make a mess of things, I WANT them to come to me. To ask for help. That way all their striving doesn’t make the situation worse.

He tells us to “…come boldly…” and “come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest…” Oh how Satan loves to divide us from our source of strength, our source of hope and light and love. Cling to Him in your sorrow, in your joys, in your overwhelm. He’ll not turn you away.

And when you do, you’ll find yourself basking in His Son’s light and reflecting it to the world without even realizing you’re doing it. When you’re that close to the Son, you can’t help but reflect His beauty.

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Two Truths to Lean On When the Pressure is Too Much

Have you ever felt like you may just collapse from all the pressure you’re under? Or maybe like you just want to sit down and cry?

I sure have.

But I have good news! 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 says speaks of God as One who comforts us in our tribulation. The word “tribulation” in the Greek according to Strong’s concordance literally means pressure. And if you look up pressure it means “the continued action of a weight or force” in Webster’s dictionary.

The society we live in puts so much pressure on us. We put pressure on ourselves. Sometimes the pressures are weight from our own sinful choices. Sometimes the pressure is from things far beyond our control.

Whatever the cause, the pressure is real.

The word comfort in this verse means “to call near.” I looked up call and found that among its many meanings are these: “a command; an invitation; to ask to come.” And the word near means “close; not far away.” I know this may not seem profound to you but I’m going somewhere, I promise!

From this verse, the God of the universe commands…invites…asks me to come close to Him when I’m under pressure. Not to go far away, but to come close. And that coming close IS comfort. Being close to Him is what comfort actually IS. He is the Comforter.

Satan likes to isolate us. Make us feel alone. Unloved. Uncared for.

But friend, that couldn’t be further from the truth.

He’s ready. Waiting. Inviting you to come close to Him so He can give you all the care your heart needs. After all, contrary to what so many of us believe and feel, God isn’t out to get us. If we are His children, He can can bring joy beyond what I can express! “In thy presence is fullness of joy and at thy right hand there are pleasures forever more.” Psalm 16:11

So today, take a breath if the pressure feels too heavy…and remember these two truths:

1. Comfort IS being in His presence. You won’t find true peace or comfort anywhere else on this earth no matter how hard you look. You won’t find it in work or in leisure. In perfectionism or in no giving up altogether. In doing all the things or in hiding from all the things. Only He can soothe your heart’s deepest cries. If you’ve never trusted Him, do it today! You’ll never regret it.

2. When the pressure is so very heavy, run TO Him, not away. Run toward His presence. Not hiding. Not ashamed. Not fearful and ashamed. Not trying to fix it all on your own. Not trying to earn His blessings or favor. He’s waiting and inviting you to come. You don’t have to be fancy. If you’ve sinned, just repent and come. If you make a choice to come to Him…He’ll never turn you away.