Welcome to our fifth {Glory Art} Scripture Challenge. Before I share today's study, I encourage you to listen to this amazing song by Kari Jobe. Click here to listen to it. Also, here are the lyrics to this amazing song:
I Am Not Alone
by Kari Jobe
"When I walk through deep watersI know that You will be with me
When I'm standing in the fire
I will not be overcome
Through the valley of the shadow
I will not fear
I am not alone
I am not alone
You will go before me
You will never leave me
In the midst of deep sorrow
I see Your light is breaking through
The dark of night will not overtake me
I am pressing into You
Lord, You fight my every battle
And I will not fear
You amaze me
Redeem me
You call me as Your own
You're my strength
You're my defender
You're my refuge in the storm
Through these trials
You've always been faithful
You bring healing to my soul"
The Study
Last Friday, February 27th, my daughter had a second spinal surgery. As we arrived and parked in the parking lot, this song played on the radio. It is one of my daughter's favorite songs, and it played at the perfect moment. God was reminding us that He is with us, and that He would not leave her. How comforting it was sending her into surgery with that wonderful reminder. Well, the surgery went well but she went into respiratory distress. She had to be re-intubated and was taken to ICU. She was extubated later in the evening but remained in ICU until late Saturday. When she was finally discharged, we made the 1+ hour drive home with our precious patient. As we were pulling into our garage, this same song played again. Was this a coincidence? Absolutely not. There are no coincidences only God-ordained situations! God was reminding us that He told us prior to her surgery that He would never leave us. He then allowed that song to play again to say "Look, I was there and I am still here. I told you I would not leave you." I cried and cried as we pulled into the garage. How many times do I leave Him yet He is always there never once leaving me? God is good, and all of the glory belongs to Him. He was with us in our difficult time last weekend, and He is with us now. We will not be overcome. He went before us, and He never left us. He was our strength and refuge in the storm.
Isaiah 25:4a "You have been a refuge for the poor, a refuge for the needy in their distress, a shelter from the storm and a shade from the heat."
He is with us always, and we can find refuge in Him. He is all we need, and He gives us the ultimate peace and satisfaction. His presence is enough!
Where do you turn in times of trouble? Where do you go for strength and encouragement? Do you feel alone? Are you weary from a long battle? God wants you to turn to Him in all things. He never leaves you. God knows and cares about the details of your life. He wants you to immerse yourself in His word, in prayer, and in fellowship with other believers who will build you up and encourage you. He will never abandon those that are His. This doesn't mean that we won't face difficult things in our lives. But it does mean He is with us no matter what we face! What a comfort!
Deuteronomy 31:8 "The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."
Psalm 9:10 "Those who know Your name trust in You, for You, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek You."
Psalm 23:4 "Even though I walk
through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil,
for You are with me; Your rod and your staff,
they comfort me."
Psalm 37:28a "For the Lord loves the just
and will not forsake His faithful ones."
God is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. He did not leave the Israelites in the desert, and He will not leave you either.
Hebrews 13:8 "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever."
Nehemiah 9:19 "Because of your great compassion You did not abandon them in the wilderness. By day the pillar of cloud did not fail to guide them on their path, nor the pillar of fire by night to shine on the way they were to take."
And I leave you today with this quote by Dr. Henrietta Mears "Forsaking all, I take Him!"
The Art
Today I created four Scripture Art Cards using Psalm 37:28a, the quote from above, part of the lyrics, and then of course today's keywords. I chose to use a heart on my cards to symbolize God's great love for me. I usually like to use flowers but I felt the heart was much more appropriate.
Feel free to join us on the Facebook page where some people will be sharing their creations. We also have some discussions that will be going on there too about the study. If you don't use Facebook and want to share your creation here, do so below by using Inlinkz! To see all of the information regarding this challenge and the previous studies and art tips, please see this post here. May you be surrounded with peace and comfort this week knowing that He will never leave you!
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6 comments:
What a praise story. I lost my husband to heaven, a few months ago. I did feel so alone but thank God for this song because it really tells it like it is.......I am NOT alone. I find myself humming or singing the words without even realizing it. I feel as though I have been given a gift of comfort. Thank you Jesus . So happy he was with your daughter during her surgery.
God bless you,
Debbie
Patter I just love your post and how you use your life experiences to show what a mighty God we serve. So glad everything went well with your daughter. I will be praying for her and for you.
Blessings shower upon us as we wait upon The Lord. Recognizing His presence in our everyday, is made easier when we dwell in the Scriptures. Thank you Patter for encouraging that in your readers and followers!
What a wonderful post and how wonderful is our God who spoke to you both before and after the op giving you reassurance. Thank you, I really needed to hear this again right now as I'm in the midst of a difficult situation. These are great scriptures to hold on. Blessings to you and your daughter, I hope she is recovering well. Much healing grace to her.
What lovely bright artwork and I do like all those hearts.
How wonderful to experience the Lord's perfect timing and acknowledge it. Presently my husband and I are rejoicing in a sense that we are living where the Lord meant us to be as we are helping our neighbour who is a quadriplegic and his elderly mother who do not have anyone else here to help as they are very private people. David is in hospital - we helped him pack his bag to go off in the ambulance, and now we are the ones taking his mother to visit as she does not drive out of town. The hospital is in another larger town.
Wonderful post and beautiful artwork.
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