Our Strength and Shield 4-30-08

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Arise in my soul and awaken my spirit to walk with You today. ... "The Lord is my strength and my shield; in Him my heart trusts; so I am helped and my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to Him" (Psalm 28:7). On the first day of May, America will go to her knees in prayer. The President of the United States of America has proclaimed this day as a National Day of Prayer from his office of governmental authority in the earthly realm, but also in the heavenly realm. By formal, written Presidential Proclamation, as the leader of our nation, he humbly and faithfully acknowledged You alone as our Strength and Shield: "America trusts in the abiding power of prayer and asks for the wisdom to discern God's will in times of joy and of trial. As we observe the National Day of Prayer, we recognize our dependence on the Almighty, we thank Him for the many blessings He has bestowed upon us, and we put our country's future in His hands." In other words, "In God we trust." There is a pride and independence that is healthy and good, when we see who You have created us to be and walk in the gifts You've given us to live out the destiny and calling of the vision You've given us. This is true of a person and true of a nation. These are gifts of God. But like any of Your gifts, they can become tainted and distorted. Pride in what You have done in us can be turned to a sinful focus on what we think we have done for ourselves. Independence with the conviction and determination to do what is right no matter what others may choose can be turned to a sinful arrogance when we fail to remember that apart from You, we can do nothing. So it is good to humble ourselves in Your sight and to remember that You alone are our Strength and our Shield, that You alone are worthy of our trust and thanks. "Some take pride in chariots, and some in horses, but our pride is in the name of the Lord our God. They will collapse and fall, but we shall rise and stand upright" (Psalm 20:7-8). On this day, as we respond in faith to the call to prayer Your Spirit has spoken through our President, as we humble ourselves to turn from the sins of pride and independence, we know You will hear from heaven, forgive our sin, and heal our land (2 Chronicles 7:14). We will "rise and stand" only to the degree that we bow low and pray (James 4:10). In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, I join with you in prayer as you pray for America and all the people of every nation tomorrow, May 1st on the U.S. National Day of Prayer: www.nationaldayofprayer.com In Kentucky, I will be speaking and praying at a county-wide gathering Thursday night in Lawrenceburg, Anderson County, Kentucky. There will be a gathering at the state capitol at noon and in Lexington at Phoenix Park downtown at noon: www.kyndp.com May God be our Strength and Shield. God bless you and God bless America! We're at a capacity crowd for our Messiah Ministries Celebration Dinner Friday Night, so please let Marilyn know immediately if you were planning to come: DirofMinistries@aol.com How Great is Our God! Subscribe free by email to Messiah Ministries -- MessiahMin@aol.com -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God" www.messiah-ministries.org 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY 40502 Order our Resources On-Line: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org