When The Devil Come Try to Get Me Gonna Praise The LORD 2-4-26

This morning I woke up to parts of two different songs playing in my head – sleepy, but wanting to hear what was coming next (after drifting back to sleep a time or two!) I grabbed my laptop and phone and looked up the songs. Micah Tyler popped up when I typed the chorus: “When the Devil Come Try to Get Me Gonna Praise the Lord…” The images in the music video got me grinning ear to ear in less than 10 seconds. When he got to the dentist chair, I almost laughed out loud! This joy is so contagious and got me not only awake, but so full of joy I wanted to dance! Well, I moved the top part of my body... I had my laptop on my lap, sitting on the edge of my bed, so … safety first! LOL

The other song has the phrase “my anchor holds within the veil…” trying to look that one up was a little more challenging. A lot of songs have that line in it and the more I listened to parts of other songs, I couldn’t hold onto the initial song’s melody to get back to it. It had the desired effect anyway. The thought that came to mind was instead of being dependent on me being able to hold onto the anchor, God can and does have a stronger hold on me than I could EVER hold onto Him! :-) And this truth is an anchor that tethers me to Him even in the most distressing circumstances. He is near. He is tenderhearted. He is the strong and steady anchor. My anchor holds because He doesn’t let go – ever.

Jesus, Savior, With us. Abba, Father God. Indwelling Holy Spirit, Ezer Kinegdo, Helper, Advocate.

When my brother is in the hospital and the prognosis doesn’t match our prayers. He holds us. When plans change and we don’t know what’s next. He holds. When the waves rise and threaten to overwhelm. He anchors us in His love. Even when we don’t understand the whys. He’s still holding us. When child loss threatens our understanding, God’s peace passes understanding and anchors us to Him as our Rock. The unshakable foundation that is the same yesterday, today and forever and WANTS to restore our joy and carry us on His shoulders...never sleeps, slumbers or crumbles. Strong and steady. Always.

I love reading other people’s stories. The blogs, the insights, the ways God shows up and carries and strengthens and restores and redeems and comforts! He holds us. Whether we are curling up into His lap and snuggling in for some dearly needed comfort and rest – or fighting Him like a two-year-old that doesn’t WANT to go down for a nap,...or eat his broccoli...or put their laundry in the hamper...He holds us.

Praise and joy lift our eyes to the One Who holds us. Praise and joy get our eyes off the storm, the temptations and the challenges we feel WE have to navigate, and reminds us we are in His gentle and POWERFUL hands. Regardless of what’s around us. And THAT is a sure and steady anchor that WILL NOT FAIL.

So when the lies of the enemy try to tell us that God doesn’t care, that He’s left us alone in the storm, that God was the One Who did this to you… we can look back and know the truth is: He NEVER leaves us nor forsakes us (Hebrews 13:5) His mercies are new every morning (Lamentations 3:22-23), He delights over us with singing (Zephaniah 3:17), sending songs in the night (Job 35:10). Even when tearful times come (John 16:33), He saves all our tears in His bottle (Psalm 56:8) and brings joy in the morning (Psalm 30:5). He is our Good Shepherd (John 10:7-14), every good and perfect gift comes from Him (James 1:17), and His Grace is sufficient for everything we go through with Him (2 Corinthians 12:9). You are more than an overcoming conqueror through Christ Who loves you (Romans 8:37)! So get your armor on, pray, speak boldly (Ephesians 6:10-20), and walk in His victory given to you my beautiful friend (1 Corinthians 15:57)! Because every day, Psalm 118:24 is ALWAYS TRUE: “This is the day that the LORD has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it!” His Peace (John chapter 14) <3 (Psalm 29:11)