Say it: "God is my fortress. I will not be shaken."
Your faith is shaking with all your inward anger and stress.
Say it: "God is my fortress. I will not be shaken."
Your dreams are not only shaken; they are splintered, and hope is falling through the cracks.
Say it: "God is my fortress. I will not be shaken."
You cover your face, and your tears slide between your fingers and trail down your cheeks.
Say it: "God is my fortress. I will not be shaken."
God is our fortress because, in the suffering Jesus, God was shaken, and fell to his knees.
In the desert, Jesus' faith was attacked by the temptations of Satan. His hope was splintered in the Garden of Gethsemane when he shook in mortal fear of suffering and death, and tears trailed down his cheeks. His love was shaken, when most of his frightened friends abandoned him when he was crucified.
Jesus understands perfectly everything that we endure because he endured it all upon his cross. Disillusioned, hated, abandoned, betrayed, he absorbed all of our suffering with his and lifted it to his Father in a final act of acceptance and trust: "Father, into your hands I abandon my spirit." And his Father drew him to Himself in glory, and, in and through Jesus, promises to bring us home to His embrace.
Because Jesus endured human weakness out of love for us, the risen Christ can offer us all the strength that we need.
Say it: "God is my fortress. I will not be shaken."
God has entrusted all people to His Son's care, for Jesus has given himself up to death for all of us. He has tender mercy on all of us, from generation to generation, from the days of our great-great-grandparents and even before that, through the days of our great-great-grand-children, and beyond.
Say it: "God is my fortress. I will not be shaken."
The luminous risen Christ stands in front of you, his arms pulling you into a hug, his warm, gentle hands stroking your back. You remember how his wrists and ankles and side were pierced, how his back was whipped and scored. His wounds are glorious now. They shine before your eyes, beautiful as the stars in the sky. He whispers to you,
"My Beloved, Beloved One -
"One day, YOUR wounds will be glorious, every one.
"Your heart wounds, from the betrayal of friends and from concern and care for your loved ones and even strangers.
"Your body wounds, from illnesses and surgeries.
"Your soul wounds, from depression, anxiety, obsessions, and addictions, and attacks to your faith and your hope.
"Your life wounds, because of accidents, tragedies, and money worries.
"All of your wounds you've suffered out of love for me, and every wound you've offered, united to my wounds, has saved souls for me. I will never abandon you while you walk in this world. I will welcome you personally to my Father's house.
"And, I promise you, my Beloved One, YOUR wounds will be glorious!"
You hug Jesus back, and your tears fall on his shoulders. You whisper your words of faith and trust and love:
"You, my Lord Jesus, are my Beloved Fortress. I promise you that I will not be shaken."