This morning I turned to Psalm
115, and my eyes lighted on verses 9, 10, and 11, where I had circled the same
phrase in each: “…he is their help and shield.” In Hebrew words are repeated
for emphasis, and to repeat this phrase three times makes it superlative, most
important for us to pay attention to.
It struck me that in this
Advent season of the year leading up to our Savior’s birth, we very much need
God to be our help and shield. We need His help to keep in step with the Spirit
to avoid the materialism the world constantly promotes. We need His help to
keep our eyes on Christ, to avoid being swept away by torrents of busyness—much
of which is good, but will keep us from God’s best if we let it.
We must call out to God, our
shield, to protect our minds from information overload, our hearts from being
distracted by traditions that can take over our time and energy if we let them.
Often, the more we try to simplify, the more complicated this season of the
year becomes.
Father, be our help and shield…surround us with Your
presence so that everywhere we go, in everything we do,
we have the sense of being close to You. Help us to recognize distractions for what they are, so that we can avoid
or dismiss them.
Keep our hearts focused on Jesus, our Savior and Redeemer, so that all that we do
will be done in His name and for Your glory.
In
Jesus’ name, amen.
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