Yup...Still on our
Side
By Lexi Ellis
“The Lord is
with me; I will not be
afraid.
What can mere mortals do to me?”
What can mere mortals do to me?”
Psalm
118:6 (NIV)
He said it again. I have a
tendency to critically over-think. In healthy doses, it’s reflective learning.
But when entertained for too long, it’s unhealthy and obsessive. I ultimately
self-sabotage with self-inflicted, unobtainable expectations. I always end up
failing. My husband knows this and when I verbalize these thoughts, his
response is always the same, “You’re the only one not on your team. Everyone
else is on your side.”
Poor guy, over seven years,
he still says it every so often. When he said it again, I realized sometimes I need
that encouraging reminder.
That reminder goes beyond
my thinking habits. I think of circumstances - - from all parts of life and
varying in all kinds of ways - - where we need the reminder that God is on our
side. I think of circumstances like a lost job, a challenging relationship, an
unknown future. In spite of different circumstances, God is on our side.
I also think of how easy it
is - - regardless of the specifics - - for fear to become crippling in the
roles God has called us to fill. I think of the countless ways we feed into the
lie that we let others down: continually failing at our jobs, as moms, as
wives, in ministry. In spite of all these different types of roles, God is on
our side.
Whatever it is - -
circumstance or role - - know this: He’s never left. Who can be against
us? Whom shall we fear? Though we often need the reminders, He will carry His
good work out until completion (Philippians
1:6). He is a faithful God - - whose promises we can hold to - - who, yup…is still on our side!
You
hear me when I call
You are my morning song.
Though darkness fills the night
It cannot hide the light.
Whom shall I fear?
You crush the enemy
Underneath my feet.
You are my sword and shield
Though troubles linger still.
Whom shall I fear?
I know who goes before me,
I know who stands behind.
The God of angel armies
Is always by my side.
The one who reigns forever;
He is a friend of mine.
The God of angel armies
Is always by my side.
My strength is in Your name
For You alone can save.
You will deliver me;
Yours is the victory.
Whom shall I fear?
And nothing formed against me shall stand!
You hold the whole world in Your hands.
I'm holding on to Your promises.
You are faithful![1]
You are my morning song.
Though darkness fills the night
It cannot hide the light.
Whom shall I fear?
You crush the enemy
Underneath my feet.
You are my sword and shield
Though troubles linger still.
Whom shall I fear?
I know who goes before me,
I know who stands behind.
The God of angel armies
Is always by my side.
The one who reigns forever;
He is a friend of mine.
The God of angel armies
Is always by my side.
My strength is in Your name
For You alone can save.
You will deliver me;
Yours is the victory.
Whom shall I fear?
And nothing formed against me shall stand!
You hold the whole world in Your hands.
I'm holding on to Your promises.
You are faithful![1]
GOING DEEPER:
1. Take time today to listen to Chris Tomlin’s song, “Whom
Shall I Fear.”
2.
What parts are meaningful to you?
FURTHER READING:
[1] Chris Tomlin, “Whom Shall I Fear,” Burning Lights, 2013, sixstepsrecords
Lexi is married to
Andrew, serves with Oakwood’s Children’s Ministries, teaches at Lake Country
Christian Academy
and is the Fresh Start Coordinator.
