From: Heather Kaufmann
“The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him. The Lord is the strength of his people; he is the saving refuge of his anointed.” Psalm 28.7-8
What does it mean for God to be our strength in the day to day?
I’ve been reflecting on this question quite a bit the past several months. Sometime in the fall, I started praying regularly for humility — a dangerous thing to ask for — and the Lord answered in a resoundingly clear voice by revealing to me my pride. This pride was getting in the way of faith, causing me to believe that I was in-control and self-sufficient, that my success and commendable qualities were all my own doing. Pride meant not letting God work, because I think (thought?) that I know better than he does and that my strength is greater than his.
As I have continued to repent and pray about pride, God has provided me with ample reminders of my own weakness which have pushed me towards humility and reliance on his strength. I am slowly learning what it means that God is greater: that his strength at work through my life is far more powerful and beautiful, and that he can accomplish far more through me than I could ever do on my own. But I am also learning that I cannot expect God to work without my own discipline and devotion in prayer: pride is something I must daily give over to God if I hope for his strength to work through me.
I’ll leave you with a convicting quote to mull over as you go about your day:
“When one really sees himself as the Lord sees him, it is not the abominable sins of the flesh that shock him, but the awful nature of the pride of his own heart against Jesus Christ.” -Oswald Chambers
I am a native New Englander and currently reside in Somerville. I love everything about eucalyptus and if anyone can tell me where to find eucalyptus tea in the United States, I would be much obliged.