November 23, 2020

Unshaken by Joylene M Bailey


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When I was given Psalm 16:8 for the month of January 2020, little did I know that it would become a fortress for the entire year.

In January I wrote:
Because I have set the LORD continually before me, He is within easy reach. I don't even need to think about it. It should be a natural reflex to reach for Him no matter the circumstances.
Like a child reaching for her father's hand, certain it will be there every time.

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When neighbours hid in houses and bustling streets went quiet,
Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.

When plexiglass barriers went up and friendly smiles were covered,
Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.

When looking down at directional arrows replaced looking each other in the eye,
Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.

When Covid numbers climbed and human experts cautioned,
Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.

When travel was restricted and I was cut off from children and grandchildren,
Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.

When groceries had to be disinfected as they entered our doors,
Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.

When my temperature was taken before I entered my hair salon,
Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.

When Mom was not allowed to attend the funeral of a beloved sister,
Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.

When grandchildren couldn't invite friends to their birthday parties,
Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.

When riots broke out and the world seemed to go crazy,
Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.

When I watched friends suffer during a time of Covid,
Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.

When fear threatens and despair taunts,
When weariness for the world sets in,
When prayers for others stack up like bricks too heavy to carry,
Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.

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When I look back over the year, I see how I reached for my Father's hand over and over again. Because He has proven Himself trustworthy in my past, it is a natural, almost unconscious, response to reach for the strong and comforting hand that I know will be there. Every time.


 Photo by Jed Owen on Unsplash

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I have set the LORD continually before me; because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
Psalm 16:8

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Joy writes from Edmonton, AB where she lives with her Cowboy, and soon-to-be-married Babe. The arrival of Covid19 prompted her to begin the Tea Time posts on her blog, Scraps of Joyin order to help create community in isolation.

17 comments:

  1. This sure has been a frustrating year for most of us. I'm glad I'm not a social person. Even so, I do miss our seniors shopping trips We'll survive this and remember it as a year our faith was tested.

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    1. Absolutely, Bruce, the year our faith was tested.

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  2. So much comfort in this post, Joy! Thank you!

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    1. You know, it was comforting to write it. To see the many times that God was there.

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  3. A very true rendition of what transpired through 2020. It begs the question - how many times did I reach for my Father's hand or did I just grow weary of it all? Thanks for the beautiful reminder that God is carrying us through this storm.

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    1. Oh yes, He is definitely carrying us through. And so nice to know He sees the big picture even while I can only see the step I'm on.

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  4. Your words ring true for all I'm sure. thanks for this inspiring post.

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  5. Great devotional thoughts, Joylene. I can relate. "When grandchildren couldn't invite friends to their birthday parties,Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken."

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    1. It's been hard for the little ones too, but they are such troopers aren't they?

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  6. Thanks, Joy, for reminding us to set God before us at all times, so that whenever we meet each challenge, we can just reach for His hand like a child does when crossing a busy street. This is a good visual for me. May your family, especially your mom, be comforted in the passing of your mom’s beloved sister and in the sadness of not being able to attend the funeral.

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    1. Thank you, Sharon. Mom's voice was able to be at the funeral as she and her sisters recorded a song (each from their own homes) that was played at the graveside. I love that they were able to be there in voice if not in person. :)

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  7. Yes! "Because He has proven Himself trustworthy in my past, it is a natural, almost unconscious, response to reach for the strong and comforting hand that I know will be there. Every time." Beautifully written. Comforting. Victorious. Thank you, Joy!

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    1. And thank you for your lovely words.

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  8. Thank you, Joy. Recently I've been taking refuge in Hebrews 13:5-6, which has a similar pattern:

    God has said,
    'Never will I leave you,
    never will I forsake you.'
    So we say with confidence,
    "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.
    What can mere mortals do to me?"

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  9. Another wonderful passage to take refuge in. I will be remembering these verses. Thanks, Colleen.

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  10. Thank you for sharing all the wonderful ways God was at your right hand this year and gave you comfort and strength so that you would not be shaken!

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