CARRYING MY SWORD
Today's reading: Leviticus 23-24, Mark 6:14-29, Psalm 45:1-5

"Put on your sword, O mighty warrior!.." Psalm 45:3 NLT

God,

You know I could get myself into a lot of trouble carrying around a sword, don't You?

It could be taken wrong. It might be offensive. I will, undoubtedly, at some point, use it when I shouldn't. Or be too afraid to use it at all.

I guess I like the verses better that say You will do the fighting for me.

It takes a lot of the stress off of me. I trust You a whole lot more. You are much stronger than I--and Your sword is much bigger!

But You call me a mighty warrior and ask me to arm myself.

So, it's really nothing to do with me, is it? Nothing to do with my strength. My agility. My skill.

It's all to do with You in me and You empowering me.

I'll strap on my sword, Lord, if you will be very clear and precise about what You want me to do with it.

I've got an idea--let's do some practice drills! Let's work together on my sword-work against one of the enemies I battle with daily...myself.

Let me use Your sword against the things I worry about. Against the things I fear. Against the unknowns of my future that overwhelm me. Maybe against the part of me that doubts You would ever be able to use someone like me. Or the part of my heart that fully believes You have saved me to the uttermost.

Instruct me on using this sword against myself before I ever wield it against another.