The inhabitants of Jerusalem

have strength

through the LORD of hosts,

              their God.

          Zechariah 12. 5

(Our strength is

    not in circumstances,

nor in personal ability,

but in Whom we worship.

The strength of God

transcends

      any circumstance.

We do not just "get through"

        the hard parts

or survive the perils

        of even the favorable,

but become stronger in Him

for His glory in this

and to strengthen

    and nurture others

and point them to the Almighty.

How are we recognized?

  Are we known as His?

Those who hope.

who stake their lives

    on His steadfast love,

always take a different path,

because they have a

     heart transformed

     by the Savior.)

O LORD,

May we be known

               as Yours,

by how we navigate

the hard parts

and potholes,

the abyss that threatens,

even how we approach

 and give our hearts to You

in the midst of abundance.

May we be known as Yours

    by how we hope

    in Your steadfast love.

You created the universe,

You created us,

You nurture, sustain, redeem

   and love us

far more than we can know.

Help us to live that way.

You never promised

          life would be easy

          in this broken world,

but "Fear not.

       I am with you always."