Begin with two minutes of stillness and silence before God.

I recently had a great conversation about the sacredness of friendships and marriage and how the two are similar and different. In sacred, holy friendships and in the sanctity of marriage, people have each other’s backs. Battles are fought together, secret unspoken languages are developed, and unity is forged. These relationships are special and set apart.

I have friendships like this and a marriage like this, and when I read Psalms 34-35, I am reminded that I also have this with my Savior – on an even deeper, more spiritual, and sacred level. He opposes our opponents, He fights for us, He draws the spear and the shield.

He fights for you. In the every day and in the heavenlies. In the fights you can see and in the ones you cannot. He seeks the wickedness of the life you live, and He sees the wickedness you never will.

As the Psalms say, the Lord delivers the righteous AND claims the victory. Not only does He have your back and your heart, but He also takes (and deserves) the victory.

Crying out to Him for answers is vital for our spiritual growth, as is acknowledging Him for the answers. Just last week, my husband had the flu, and the whole thing was a spiritual growth moment for our daughter. She and I prayed for Daddy throughout the days, and then one day he was better! She proclaimed,” God heard our prayers and answered us! He healed Daddy!”

God does hear your cries, and He does answer you! He rescues you, protects you, and is near to you when your hearts are broken. He pays attention to your life and knows what is coming, when, and how. And He stands ready to fight for you – your heart, your peace, your wholeness.

He has gone to battle for your soul – and won.

He turned His back on His own Son for you.

He defeated death, the grave, and hell for the sake of your soul and eternity.

Why? Because you are the greatest among His creation, the apple of His holy eye, and the physical image of His holiness. You are worth fighting for.

Take two minutes to reflect in silence.

Reflection:

• Use the S.O.A.P. Method to study God’s Word.
  
• SCRIPTURE: What stands out to you in today’s passage?
  
• OBSERVATION: What is this text saying? What is the context? How does it fit with the verses before and after it? Are there any commands, instructions, or promises? 
  
• APPLICATION: How can you apply this verse to your life? What does this mean today? What is God saying to you? 
  
• PRAYER: Respond to the passage in prayer. Ask God to help you apply this truth to your life and spend some time listening to what He may be telling you.