I am heart-broken over what is happening in Ukraine. We went there twice and the second time we brought all four of our kids on their first mission trip. The Ukrainians are a sweet and welcoming people with such heart, and the country is beautiful. We saw God move in us and through us while we were there. We made sweet life-long friends and wonderful memories. I have been overwhelmed by the feeling of helplessness and sadness.

BUT! I have been gently reminded by our Friend, Holy Spirit, to look up!

“I look up to the mountains - does my help come from there?
My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth!” ~ Psalm 121:1&2

The same God who made all of heaven and earth is watching over us.

“Look up in to heavens. Who created all the stars? He brings them out like an army, on after another, calling each by its name.
Because of His great power and incomparable strength, not a single one is missing.” Isaiah 40:26

If God is so diligent and focused on the stars, how much more do we have His full attention and care? We can be confident in knowing that God is the One who strengthens us, so we can face whatever we are walking through. We do not need to be dependent on our own strength or wisdom.

It doesn’t mean we never have hard times, just a five-minute conversation with anyone - anywhere - will prove that we have all faced or are facing something hard and overwhelming.

Those times in our lives can be dark and often lonely. It’s part of being human. We need to have people in our lives that will help us remember the bigness of our God and how powerful He is! Let me be that friend for a minute.

I think about Elisha’s servant when he stepped out of the house and saw the enemy surrounding them:
” ‘Don’t be afraid!’ Elisha told him. ‘For there are more on our side than on theirs!’ Then Elisha prayed, ‘O, Lord, open his eyes and let him see!’ The Lord opened the young man’s eyes, and when he looked up, he saw that the hillside was filled with horses and chariots of fire.” 2 Kings 6:16&17

The reality of an army surrounding them didn’t change after the servant had his eyes opened. What did change was his perspective. He got a clearer picture of God’s greatness, faithfulness and power. He knew God was with them, even if the worst happened, he was not alone!

For me, you may have your own list, but fear - uncertainty - feeling inadequate - keeps my eyes on me and all my weaknesses and failures. It keeps me focused on what I cannot do.

But when I remind myself of Who God is - His faithfulness that has never let me down- His power that has changed me - His peace that covered me - His grace that strengthened me - His pursuit and fierce love for me! When I focus on Him and His promises and let go of everything else, THEN and only then, am I really trusting Him.

Perhaps like me at times you find it to believe that a perfect God does in fact, truly and fiercely loves us. That He is walks with us. That He protects us. That He is who we can go to in times of distress and doubt.

There are several Scriptures that talk about God’s banner over us:

“He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love.”
Song of Solomon 2:4
”And Moses built an alter and called the name of, The LORD is My Banner,”
Exodus 17:15
”You have set up a banner for those who fear you, that they may flee to it from the bow. Selah.” ~ Ps. 60:4
”May we shout for joy over your salvation, and in the name of our God set up banners! May the LORD fulfill all your petitions.” ~ Ps. 20:5

Below is an excerpt taken from an article by
Vina Adowel:

The first point I got from this verse is God’s banner over us is “I love you.” What’s a banner? A banner is “a long or large strip of cloth bearing a slogan, design, or writing” (Merriam-Webster Dictionary). It is “usually hung in a public place or carried in a demonstration or procession” (Oxford Dictionary). Our entire journey with God, His big and bold slogan over us and the message He whispers when we’re close or yells when we’re far is “I love you.”

• In sending His Son Jesus to die for us to take away our sin, guilt, and shame and reconcile us to Him, God was saying “I love you.”

• In the seasons of delight and abundance in our lives (i.e. being brought into His banqueting house), or seasons of hardship and wilderness, through trials and triumphs, His banner over us is “I love you.”

• In times of great faith and in times when we’re plagued with doubt, His banner is “I love you.” God’s love for us is the constant we can count on when everything else in life changes or the world seems topsy turvy.

When I look up and see God’s banner ~ His banner of love ~ His banner of victory ~ His banner that never stops pointing me to Him ~ I have hope. I have hope that His kingdom is real and coming and I can trust Him with my todays.

Let’s look up and see His banner flying over us! To guide us. To reassure us. To strengthen us.

Have an amazing day!
All My Love
~ Jodi xo

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