Under the name Francis Lee, I write interracial Christian romantic suspense. My stories are about finding enduring love when hope and redemption seem unattainable as danger lurks around every corner. My characters learn that where there is darkness, "joy will always come in the morning".
Over eight times in Psalm 34, God’s deliverance from all evil, against the enemy, and from fear is spoken.
The theme of the promise of God hearing the cries of his people and saving them from all their trouble saturates this Psalm.
The faithfulness and precious love of God runs freely from him to those he loves. Trust and belief in the Lord are our weapons against all fear, against whatever evil we face every day. He is a present help when we are in trouble.
I sought the Lord, and He heard me and delivered me from all my fears. Psalm 34 verse 4.
Some may think that is over the top, but being born again is such a gift.
Having Jesus Christ as lord of my life is something precious to me. Without Him, life would be so difficult and empty.
This gift from God is wonderful.
I am never alone. I am never lonely because He comforts me.
I depend on the Lord for everything. Nothing is too small for Him to give or be too tedious for Him to fulfill for me.
Since this year began, I have faced challenges after challenge in finances, health, family, at work, and even my everyday journey, and I trust Him in all of these things.
Believe it or not, resting on Him and relying on His word has never been so good. He is working daily in my life.
My life is not perfect and I still have problems but He is there in everything.
I know some will not read this or may read this and laugh, but God laughs because you think this is foolish and I weak.
Rest assured, I am strong because I have the favor of the Lord.
For those who believe and trust Him, we praise the Lord now and forever.
I have a financial budget and a time budget. They work together perfectly.
I need to be cautious with my money and try to save more, yet I need time to do my budget.
I first allot time for scheduling my time and trying to budget my finances happens to fall in one or two slots. With regards to my time, I make sure that when I have a project on the go, I’ll give some wiggle room and not keep a tight rein on my – er – time.
With regards to finances, I try to give every dollar a name, but that gets tedious, but I strive to do it anyway. I first make a list of my monthly expenses, including my caprious spending. Then, I make a list of my assets, which is my income.
Once completed, I grimace and groan, then fall on my knees and pray for guidance. I show the Lord my budget of money and time. I hand it all over to the Lord, and somehow, throughout the month and the year, things work out.
He does not only tell you what to do but will gently lead you in the right direction and give instructions.
With a personal touch, he will stand beside you all the days of your life.
He promised never to leave you alone because he is in control of everything. Nothing happens in a vacuum, and there is nothing that takes him by surprise.
When you stumble, he will lift you up.
When you are too weak to move on, he will carry you.
Great is his love and his everlasting kindness.
He knows your frame. He knows everything about you. He knows your fears, weaknesses, desires, and strengths. Every hair on your head is numbered. He remembers you are delicate and made of dust.
You may not understand everything about your present circumstance. It may not be anything of your making. Or it could be totally made by your hands.
Still, he is faithful and will never forsake you.
Trust him. He knows the end from the beginning.
He is in control.
He is God.
I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.
Nevertheless, I believed, and the Lord heard my cries, and He saved me.
Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all who hope in the Lord. ( adapted from Psalm 31 verse 22 and 24)
The Psalmist David writing this work was a fugitive running from King Saul. David was to be king, but he was hiding in caves away from a man who was jealous of him and sought to kill him. This psalm is one of lament, a prayer for help, while at the same time, it declares the goodness of Jehovah as the source of all blessings in times of trouble. David’s unwavering trust and belief in Jehovah is seen in the words of this Psalm 31.
The Lord is your hope when all other paths fail. He is your deliverer when you have no one to turn to and no place to run. He is always there to pick you up and keep you safe if you trust, obey, and believe in him.