My new anthem in this season of heavy fatigue is:
God, do not forsake me when my strength fails.
Dearest Readers,
I’ve spent weeks watching our Lady Pear Tree. I have shared her with you, and still, she teaches me more.
As I rise in the dark morning and open the door, there’s a comfort that comes from seeing her there. Leaves now furled, dead branches hanging loose and drooping as if she is worn weary from her work.
I can relate to her as my strength ebbs and flows, mostly leaving me winded with the lack of it. The truth is when chronic disease invades your days, living in the unknown is just part of the package. When I believe I have a grip on one thing, there is another to attend and learn to manage.
I don’t mind telling you I am a bit miffed. I am one who has spent her life pushing through, but this, this has become the boss of my days and the choices I make.
What Can I Do?
What can I do? The same thing I always do and will continue to do, for what I hope to be all the days of my life.
I faithfully come to this place of provision and God’s Word in the early morning hours. Not because I am a superhero or super spiritual, but because there is no other way to thrive and not just survive.
He is faithful to provide.
I ran my finger down Psalm 71 this morning and came upon a Scripture I have read many times, but today it was personal.
The words are now my anthem.
“Do not cast me away when I am old; do not forsake me when my strength fails.”
Psalm 71:9 (NIV)
Do not forsake me when my strength fails. There is nothing to do but grip the words deep in my soul and whisper them each day a thousand and ten times.
How Can These Words Apply To You?
Dearest One, it may be your physical strength, it may be the weight of life you carry every day; a wayward child, economic oppression, depression, a loved one fading away with dementia, an empty womb, or scars no one should have to bare. These words can become your anthem as well.
Do not forsake me when my strength fails.
What I have come to know is this, though our circumstances may never change, God is faithful. Trouble is we want to place our faith in our circumstances rather than putting our faith in Him.
As I pray these words for myself, I want you to know, that I am praying them over you.
One Final Thought
In Exodus, chapter three, Moses encounters God in the burning bush.
“Then the Lord said, ‘I have observed the misery of my people in Egypt, and have heard them crying out; because of their oppressors. I know about their sufferings, and I have come down to rescue them from the power of the Egyptians and to bring them from that land to a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey — the territory of the Canaanites, Hethites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites.'” Genesis 3:7-8 (CSB)
I want you to notice four things in this passage of Scripture:
- I have observed
- I have heard
- I know about your sufferings
- I have come down to rescue
Four things you can count on, God observes you, He hears you, and He knows about your sufferings. He also rescues, whether it is in this life or, if you are a believer, on the other side of this life.
For you, the weary broken, walking through the deep pit of Sheol, He longs to rescue you.
I pray today that you will hold tight to these words and make them your anthem:
Do not forsake me when my strength fails.
Gifts of Grace
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Please Lord, do not. xo
Sweet Friend your prayers are faithful!
Love you!
Four things we can indeed count on!
Amen, Tara, amen!
Wow, you really got into it this morning. So far God has carried you. The Bible says that He sees us,and hears us. I am a witness to it, He has seen and heard you everyday. God is Great. Love you. SM
So have you! Love you!
XO
I am so grateful for His faithfulness and for giving me the ability to walk with Him one step at a time. I am a new widow of a bit over 2 months. It is so hard but the love I carry with me from Kenneth which comes from God keeps me walking, keeps me trusting.
Thank you for this timely and encouraging post.
Caring through Christ, ~ linda
I will keep you in my prayers, Linda!
XO
Such beautiful encouragement Tammy. I love that verse, because there are days in this season when I do feel so old. Even as I pray for my almost 90 year old neighbor to feel His Presence with her, I pray the same thing for myself, decades younger. I am so glad that He does hear our prayers! Thank you for this sweet reminder.
Thank you, Bettie! You’re in my prayers!
XO
He is definitely our strength. I love your new picture, beautiful. My grace is all you need, for my power is greatest when you are weak. 2 Corinthians 12:9 Looking forward to Him being a forever fountain of youth one day soon.
I love that Scripture, Rebecca! Thank you for sharing it with me!
XO
Amen! I have found a source of strength in my times of need–over and over again.
Where would we be without Him, Anita? I don’t want to know!
XO
I love Psalm 71:9. It can be anyone’s anthem. And you found other comfort in the words of Genesis. Thank you for these encouraging words today.
Thank you, Mary and thanks for hosting the link up!
XO
The older I get, the sweeter that verse becomes! Thanks for these precious reminders.
It does, doesn’t it? When I chose to let my hair go gray, it was really sweet to me.
XO