Jennifer is a redeemed daughter of the LORD, wife to Michael, and
mother to a incredibly talented six-year-old daughter and a hysterically
funny three-year-old son. She shares her life one cup at a time on her
blog Coffee With Jen. Her topics range from faith, home organization, and family fun activities. You can also find her on the Women Living in Faith podcast where she and Gretchen Speer discuss topics of faith to encourage women in their walk with the LORD. 
Photo credit: cavalier-photography.com

Read Psalm 129

When I accepted the challenge of reflecting on Psalm 129 for this series, my first thought was, “Wow! What a downer! There is not a single line in that Psalm I would want cross-stitched onto a pillow.” But digging further into this passage, I discovered a message of hope and a promise that we, as the Children of God, can cling to.

“They have greatly oppressed me from my youth,”
let Israel say;
“they have greatly oppressed me from my youth,
but they have not gained the victory over me.
Plowmen have plowed my back
and made their furrows long.
But the Lord is righteous;
he has cut me free from the cords of the wicked.”
May all who hate Zion
be turned back in shame.
May they be like grass on the roof,
which withers before it can grow;
a reaper cannot fill his hands with it,
nor one who gathers fill his arms.
May those who pass by not say to them,
“The blessing of the Lord be on you;
we bless you in the name of the Lord.”
Psalm 129
The Psalmist was saying that the enemy had plowed and planted seeds of an evil plan in the lives of God’s people. But the LORD, in is His loving-kindness, did not allow those plans to come to full bloom. He cut the cords that the enemy had used to bind God’s people.
The LORD set them free.

Did you see it? The Psalmist looked at his situation, acknowledged the enemy’s plans, and despite all of that he claimed victory because of God’s great love for His people.
We too can claim this victory!
Whether we acknowledge it or not, we are actively involved in spiritual warfare. Our very real enemy seeks to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10). He has plans for us, plans to oppress us, plans to harm us.
Take heart, my sisters! The LORD has bigger, more powerful plans for you “to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11). God’s word promises that NOTHING can thwart His plans (Job 42:2). There is no plan of the enemy that can out-wit our LORD!

Like the Psalmist who cried out because the plowmen had tilled up his back, we too bear scars from our past where the enemy has attacked us. We can claim victory through Jesus Christ by acknowledging that these scars no longer have power over us. Instead the scars give testimony to the redemptive working of the Father. Those who peer into our lives will see changed hearts and marvel at God’s transformative power within us.
So, whatever circumstance you find yourself in today, know that God is actively involved in working all things out for the good (Romans 8:28).

Blessings,
Jennifer

Deep Breaths:

1. Reread Psalm 129, what do you think of this truth?

2. What scars in your testimony point to the redemptive work of the Father?

3. The Lord does indeed have good plans for you, for hope and a good future. What would happen if you really believed that?