Friday, August 12, 2022

Selah

Prayer – Lord, Thank You that You defend me as a shield. I can see the arrows of my enemies bouncing off that shield—and striking them in the face—ha. Thank you for giving me restful sleep and sustaining me through trials. Please continue to bless me…as well as my family and friends…for we trust in Your salvation.

Morning Prayer of Trust in God.

A Psalm of David. When he fled from Absalom his son.

Lord, how my enemies have increased! Many are rising up against me. Many are saying of me,
“There is no help [no salvation] for him in God.” Selah. But You, O Lord, are a shield for me,
My glory [and my honor], and the One who lifts my head. With my voice I was crying to the Lord,
And He answered me from His holy mountain. Selah. I lay down and slept [safely]; I awakened, for the Lord sustains me. I will not be intimidated or afraid of the ten thousands who have set themselves against me all around. Arise, O Lord; save me, O my God! For You have struck all my enemies on the cheek. You have shattered the teeth of the wicked. Salvation belongs to the Lord; May Your blessing be upon Your people. Selah
Psalm 3:1-8 Amplified

 

Meditate. Pause and calmly think about this scripture.

 

Selah. What does it mean? It is used at the end of a passage throughout many books of Psalms and in a couple of other books of the Bible and is thought to mean “forever” in the Hebrew language. The Strong’s Lexicon (5542) Biblical usage is listed as to lift up or exalt, as well as a musical term indicating to accentuate, pause, or interrupt.  My Amplified version of the Bible (copywrite 1987) includes “[pause, and calmly think of that]” after each Selah. I feel like it is sort of like us saying “Amen” but I like that it indicates that we need to pause and calmly think. How often do we intentionally do that? Calmly think. Slow down, stop, and focus.

 

This Psalm offers not only David, but us, strength and hope. The Lord is a shield—fighting off our enemies, whether it is of a physical of spiritual nature. Nation against nation as enemies at war; bugs in the garden or house; thoughts of despair, discouragement, destruction or devastation; the inflationary economic situation; and disease or illness can all be enemies. Anything that threatens to bring you fear, terror, or harm. That is your enemy. You can likely think of more. We read of spiritual warfare in the Bible—particularly in Daniel and Revelation—and are assured that the Lord and His mighty angels win. They are in a battle for us…even when we don’t know it. There are lots of quotes out on the Internet about enemies. Here’s one I liked:
               You are your own best friend or worst enemy…choose wisely. Timothy Pina

What a great assurance we have that the Lord is on our side, against our enemies. He provides protection and ultimately salvation. Selah.

 

Verse of Salvation ~ Salvation belongeth unto the LORD: thy blessing is upon thy people. Selah. Psalm 3:8 KJV

 

Memory Verse of the Week ~ In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Genesis 1:1  

 

Friday’s Feast at the King’s Table

Eat fresh—whether it is out of your garden, Fathers’ Market, local produce stand or just the produce from your favorite grocery. God has given us such a bounty of great foods. He is so creative! Try a day with No Sugar. Natural fruits allowed! Enjoy good health.


Continue to pray for those with recent loses.

 

© 2022 Text, photos, and illustrations by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved. 

All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted. 

New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. 

Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Amplified Bible (AMP) Copyright © 2015 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA 90631. All rights reserved.

The Authorized Version or King James Version (KJV), 1611, 1769.
Outside of the United Kingdom, the KJV is in the public domain. Within the United Kingdom, the rights to the KJV are vested in the Crown.

Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - http://v3.blueletterbible.org/search.cfm and Bible Gateway, www.biblegateway.com

 

Books by Mickey M. Hunacek

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