On Fridays, I listen to a podcast, “The Verb” by Heather Holleman. (A link is found on my website under My Favorites.) I am also working through her book “Guarded By Christ Knowing the God that Restores and Keeps Us.” The two worked together to catapult me into another dimension of faith. All weekend I kept thinking of hurling myself into God’s arms whenever I want to.
Knowing the safety of being guarded by God in everything I do has brought me peace. Sitting quietly on the deck I can feel His presence as I think in amazement of everything He has done.
Several months ago, I journaled a list of what God does for me: faithfulness, compassion, provides, protects, rescues, shelters, shields and available. Yet, when I looked at my journal, I discovered I didn’t list guards. I described guarded. All of God’s actions—guard me.
Psalm 18:2a states: God is my rock, my fortress, my salvation. What do these three words mean to you?
Take your time and then — continue reading.
Now read aloud Psalm 18:2 from the Passion Translation several times;
“You’re as real to me as bedrock beneath my feet,
Psalm 18:2 TPT
like a castle on a cliff, my forever firm fortress,
my mountain of hiding, my pathway of escape,
my tower of rescue where none can reach me.
My secret strength and shield around me,
you are salvation’s ray of brightness shining on the hillside,
always the champion of my cause.”
Are you able to imagine in your mind’s eye all of the ways you can experience the goodness of God?
What can you bring to mind now when you think about rock, fortress, and salvation?
Bedrock is more than a rock you can stand on. It is solid rock, is the firm foundation of faith.
A castle built on bedrock on a cliff is strong and protected, a formidable fortress—lasting forever.
Built on a mountain offering places to hide and pathways for escape. There 
is a tower of rescue just for you where no one can harm you. God is protecting you.
Jesus is there too, bearing God’s gift of salvation. 
More radiant than diamonds, salvation is the light of your pathway and the Lord is your victor.
Can you place a new image in your mind that will take you to God’s presence anytime you want? It will take some time but, it’s up to you to create the image most meaningful to you.
My image is a work in progress. I follow the pathways up the mountain where I find a castle with many towers and a large gate guarded by angles. When I enter the main building I feel small and childlike in a large throne room with light streaming in from above. There on golden thrones are the Father and Jesus. The Holy Spirit fills the room with the colors of the rainbow, mixed with a shimmering light that glitters like the stars on a clear night in the mountains, all engulfed in a faint cloud. I am not afraid but experience unmeasurable joyfulness. The Holy Spirit whispers, “We will provide whatever you need. There is a tower where you can rest knowing you are protected. It is yours anytime you want.”
When we are in the presence of God, we are safe, secure, loved, protected, guarded. Jesus is the answer to our salvation, the ray of sunshine we seek. The most precious gift from God.
- Do you feel the imagery you started today will help you feel God’s presence?
- What will you add to your image?
- What reminds you of God’s glory? Is that in your image?
