After the Miracle

Today's Devotional Thought
May 21, 2015 by Rachel Piferi

You Make Me Brave

Next to the Word of God, nothing empowers me, strengthens me, or speaks to my soul like music. I can be in a season of life, or in a season of processing something with the Lord, and a song will come on the radio that takes the truths I have been meditating on and firmly plant them in my heart. I know I am not alone in this as I have heard so many throughout my years say that a certain song has put words and melody to the very cry of their heart.

And today, I have to share with you a song that I just love in this season...

In this season of my life, I am so taken by the fact that as long as I live in a human body on planet Earth (with all of the frailties and failings that being human includes), I am in a battle. I am constantly battling insecurities and fears. I am constantly battling the lies of the world that are perpetuated by the media and society. I am constantly battling the enemy who whispers untruths about myself, my future, and my God.

Life is a battle.

And some days, the battle feels more fierce than other days. And some seasons are just flat out wearisome warfare.

The other day, I was listening to music in my car and Bethel Music's "You Make Me Brave" came on my playlist. And as I listened to the poignant words and sang them with all my might in my car, I started visualizing the Lord making me brave in this fierce battle called life.

As the song began, I pictured myself in my armor, just standing before the Lord. I saw my breastplate and shield and sword and helmet. I could see myself, this woman in her armor, all battered from the war. And I watched as she fell to her knees before her Lord. Her head was bowed and her sword was held firmly in her hand, but laying gently by her side and resting on the ground. In her other hand, she held her shield. Her shield was dirty and dented. There were marks on the edge of the rounded, silver shield and obviously places where her enemy had hit her shield and left a dented mark. It also, while firmly grasped, was tilted low and resting beside her on the ground as she knelt before the Lord. Her helmet was dirty. It was firmly placed on her head, but it was noticeably worn and dull as her head bowed.

I stand before you now...the greatness of your renown.
I have heard of the majesty and wonder of you.
King of heaven, in humility, I bow.

As I listened to this song and as I pictured this woman, worn from her battle and knelt before her Lord, I pictured myself every morning coming before the Lord. I pictured those seasons where the battle feels particularly fierce and those mornings when I simply dragged my weary self before the throne with my armor all dented and tarnished. I saw the many times, I simply knelt before the Lord with my shield and my Sword hung low beside me. The many times when my arms did not have any strength left to hold my shield high or swing my Sword.

I saw my face, bloody and tearstained, hung low before the King of heaven.

As your love, in wave after wave, crashes over me.
Crashes over me.
For you are for us, you are not against us.
Champion of heaven, you made a way for all to enter in.

And as I visualized this scene that I have lived so many times, I watched as the Lord renewed the weak and battle-worn woman before him. In all his glory and radiance and power.

I reflected on the many times that my heavenly Father has reached out to his daughter, in her low & weary state, and touched her with his grace and his love. I envisioned how many times my Savior and Lord has stretched out his hand to me, as I bowed wearily before him, and has touched me gently with his inexplicable power. And how, with a single touch from him and the truth of his Word, the light of his radiance and glory has overtaken me as his grace and love renewed me.

How when I come before him each morning, I know the light of his radiance and glory will polish my armor and it will shine brilliantly again. How I know he will brighten my countenance and my face will be free of tears and bloodstains. How with that touch from him each morning, I can rise, new and empowered, to face another day.

I see that woman, once so battle-weary, rise to stand firm, feeling his strength and courage to face another day in the battle we face. I see the woman, who just before was bowing before him with dirty and dented armor, stand renewed by the time she spent kneeling before him. I see his grace and love and the truth of his promises renewing her mind and her armor and strengthening her frame. And, I watch as she rises confidently and stands with fresh strength and brilliant armor once again.

Bright and brilliant silver. Shield and sword held firm and tight. Held high and boldly. No dents. No tears. No bloodstains. No dirt.

Just a renewed, beautifully loved warrior princess ready for battle.

And I see her look at the Lord and sing, "You make me brave."

And out of that bravery, she will do what he has called her to do. Courageously. Confidently. And in Jesus' name.

Oh beloved friends, if you are in a particularly fierce battle of life right now, may I encourage you to lay before the Lord and let him refresh you and encourage you with the light of his radiance and glory and strength and love and grace. May I encourage you to bow before him and whisper, "You make me brave."

I pray you feel his empowerment. I pray you experience his brilliant restoration of your armor and strength. And I pray that you feel the bravery that comes from him alone to be able to live courageously, confidently, and victoriously in Jesus' name.

Live strong out there friends. In HIS strength. Let him make you brave....

"Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need."
~Hebrews 4:16