The Entire Story

The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Psalm 46:11

AS WE COME to the end of this foundational psalm—and our one hundred days together—we return to the chorus, the heart cry of the psalmist: God is with us.

The words are worth repeating. The great and powerful and mighty God, who created the trembling mountains and expansive oceans and highest heavens, is with us.

Isn’t this psalm the entire story of our lives? We start with God. We end with God. And in the middle? God comes down to be with us. Immanuel—the with-us God. Our story is all about God initiating a relationship with us, His created ones.

Psalm 46 solidifies that nothing in this world is stable except for Him. We can try to arrange our lives perfectly. We can think that if we just get to this next place in life, achieve this next goal, get every piece of clothing folded and put in its proper place, then our worlds will be controlled, immovable, and secure. We can start to believe the lie that we’re all set.

But what is all set? We think mountains are, but they can be moved. We think our circumstances are, but they can be shaken. We think our life plan is, but it can be thrown into the sea. The elusive lie of “all set” is dangled in front of us all the time. How often do we find ourselves chasing it?

Sister, grace looks like chasing God, not chasing the world.

Only God is all set. Only God is immovable. Only God is unshakable. And He is with you. When God is with you, you see that no one and nothing could possibly be against you. When God is with you, you see a Father defend His children. When God is with you, you see battles won after you put down your weapons. When God is with you, you see the grace of God running through your veins like a river, making you glad. This is the story of grace, and this is our story—God with us—loving us, cherishing us, leading us, and dying for us. This grace is ours to keep and ours to share. Grace looks amazing on you when you receive and reflect His love. Sister, may you trust in this truth wherever you go.

GRACE REFLECTION: Pray with me, “Father God, Your grace is gorgeous and shines so brightly. You give grace in the valley and grace on the mountain. In the waiting room and in the cure. In broken marriages and in words of forgiveness. Every good and perfect gift is Your grace flowing over and over. Through a baby’s cry, through kind words, through welcoming a neighbor, through bags of apples and cups of milk. Remind me that I can do nothing to add to Your perfect work on the cross and that simply being a recipient of Your grace looks amazing on me. Help me to put my confidence, strength, faith, and trust in that truth alone. Refine me as I look to You, and teach me how to reflect Your grace-giving ways. Reveal to me how much You look at me with loving eyes, a delightful heart, and a gracious smile. You are the Amazing One. All honor and praise and glory are Yours. Amen.”