“The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in Him, and I am helped; therefore my heart greatly rejoices, and with my song I will praise Him.” Psalm 28:7
It’s so easy for us to become confident in our own wisdom and strength. But have you ever really considered how frail you actually are? For example, your existence depends entirely on a fragile organ—your brain. It is housed in a thin, bony skull. You don’t have a spare. If your brain fails, your life will come to a screeching halt.
At any time, a physical trauma can bruise your brain and render you helpless. Likewise, an emotional or psychological trauma can sideline your mind even when your medical scans appear normal.
Life can be drastically altered in an instant—and, then what?
Your life, your plans, your entire future can be placed on hold until (or if) you heal. When I have walked through my deepest valleys, God always reminds me just how fully I must depend on Him for everything. While I don’t like the uncertainty, I am genuinely grateful. Time after time God has used each trial to prepare me for the next battle against evil.
My friend, if you are a Jesus-loving, born again believer, then we are in the ring together.
We are sweating and fighting through each round. The bell rings. We rest briefly. Then we prepare for the next round. God is building our endurance, strengthening our faith, and teaching us to use everything we’ve learned to claim victory in Him. We know after each round, more than ever that—God is our strength and our shield.
I would rather walk through any situation with God than try to face life without Him. Wouldn’t you?
God’s wisdom, peace, and power are irreplaceable. I never want to find myself like Eve in the Garden of Eden, desiring independence from God. The serpent caused her to doubt God’s goodness. He convinced her that God was holding back from her—that she would be better off ruling her own life.
“Then the serpent said to the woman, ‘You will not surely die. For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be LIKE God, knowing good and evil.’” Genesis 3:4-5
Eve’s choice to doubt God’s goodness and wisdom plunged the human race into darkness. Each time we make decisions without God’s direction, we are still buying into that same ancient lie. But through the gift of salvation, we have hope in Jesus, the Light of the world.
We are always better off with God.
When we are born again, we are brought into the family of “one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.” Ephesians 4:6 The God who created everything is not distant—He is present. He is in you, He is for you, and He will always care for you.
“For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.” Colossians 1:16-17
The entire universe holds together because of God’s power. Why would we ever want to live independently from Him? Without God, life is fragile, empty, and driven by fear. With God, life is secure, purposeful, and filled with supernatural peace.
My friend, you are always better off with God.
Reflection Thought
When life shakes you to your core, remember: it is God who holds you together. The world may offer self-reliance, but only God offers us Himself and—He never fails.
Prayer
Father God, thank You for being my strength and my shield. I confess that sometimes I trust my own understanding more than I trust You. Please forgive me when I lean on my own wisdom. Teach me to walk closely with You. Help me to choose Your way over my own, and remind me daily that I am always better off with You. Thank You for holding my life in Your hands and for never failing me. I choose to trust You today. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
