Say it From the Heart

Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord himself, is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation.” Isaiah 12:2 NIV

Have you ever had someone say something about you that wasn't true? Or maybe their assessment of you was false and not really who you are or the virtues you embody? If you haven't, give it time. People can be cruel, but we are also marked by our own perceptions that may or may not be accurate. You may think you are being fair and honest but someone else only sees prejudice and malice. It's not necessarily fair but its reality.

This verse promises us that God is our defense and salvation. It's so insistent that it repeats itself: the Lord, the Lord himself. Not a proxy. Not the spirit. Not Jesus. God himself is our defense. We must have faith that we are acting according to his word and teachings. And we must also consider what the other person says in order to test the spirits. Is this person a gossip or storyteller? If so, they may not be telling the truth, only their version of it. You will know by weighing their words against God's. Do they have your best interest at heart? If not, move on. They're not worth listening to.

God knows your heart and intent. He will ensure, as your ultimate defense, that your truest self is heard and seen. You need only say it from the heart.