Anchored in the Unseen

 

Psalms 31:9-16

Have mercy on me, lord, for I am in distress. Tears blur my eyes. My body and soul are withering away.

I am dying from grief; my years are shortened by sadness. 

Sin has drained my strength;  I am wasting away from within.

I am scorned by all my enemies  and despised by my neighbors— even my friends are afraid to come near me. 

When they see me on the street, they run the other way.

I am ignored as if I were dead, as if I were a broken pot.

I have heard the many rumors about me, and I am surrounded by terror. 

My enemies conspire against me,  plotting to take my life.

But I am trusting you, O  lord, saying, “You are my God!”

My future is in your hands. Rescue me from those who hunt me down relentlessly.

Let your favor shine on your servant. In your unfailing love, rescue me.

1 Samuel 16:11-13

Then Samuel asked, “Are these all the sons you have?”“There is still the youngest,” Jesse replied. “But he’s out in the fields watching the sheep and goats.”“Send for him at once,” Samuel said. “We will not sit down to eat until he arrives.”

So Jesse sent for him. He was dark and handsome, with beautiful eyes.And the lord said, “This is the one; anoint him.”

So as David stood there among his brothers, Samuel took the flask of olive oil he had brought and anointed David with the oil. And the Spirit of the lord came powerfully upon David from that day on. Then Samuel returned to Ramah.

Proverbs 3:26

For the lord is your security. 

He will keep your foot from being caught in a trap.

Philippians 1:1-11

This letter is from Paul and Timothy, slaves of Christ Jesus.I am writing to all of God’s holy people in Philippi who belong to Christ Jesus, including the elders and deacons.

May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.

Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God.

Whenever I pray, I make my requests for all of you with joy,

for you have been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ from the time you first heard it until now.

And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.

So it is right that I should feel as I do about all of you, for you have a special place in my heart. You share with me the special favor of God, both in my imprisonment and in defending and confirming the truth of the Good News.

God knows how much I love you and long for you with the tender compassion of Christ Jesus.

I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding.

For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return.

May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation—the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ—for this will bring much glory and praise to God.

Philippians 1:29

For you have been given not only the privilege of trusting in Christ but also the privilege of suffering for him.

Anchored in the Unseen

​In seasons of transition or deep distress, it is easy to feel like our circumstances define our identity. However, Scripture consistently points us back to a reality that is grounded not in our feelings, but in God’s character and His sovereign "calling." If I functioned just on feelings, I would probably ever leave my home.

As a person with a whole alphabet of letters that go with my name PTSD, BP, ADHD, AD, RS AND probably some that have never been assigned to me but probably fit. I know if I lived by my feelings alone, I would never get out of bed. Like a small child I have big feelings and that is ok. God has helped me learn to deal with them and for that I am eternally grateful.

​1. The Weight of the Present Moment

​We begin in the shadows of Psalm 31:9-16. David is transparent about his exhaustion: "My eye wastes away with grief... my strength fails." He feels like a "broken vessel."

​But David pivots in verse 14 with a profound declaration: "But as for me, I trust in You, O Lord; I say, 'You are my God.'" The Hebrew word for "trust" here is Batach (בָּטַח). It doesn't just mean a mental agreement; it carries the idea of "lying helplessly" or "leaning with one's whole weight" upon something. When life feels like it’s shattering, David isn't trying to hold the pieces together; he is leaning his full weight on the character of God.

​2. The Choice of the Heart

​While we may feel discarded like David’s "broken vessel," God sees differently. In 1 Samuel 16:11-13, we see the prophet Samuel looking for a king. He sees the tall, strong brothers, but God waits for the youngest—the one tending sheep.

​When David is finally anointed, the Spirit of the Lord "rushed" upon him. This reminds us of Proverbs 3:26: "For the Lord will be your confidence." That word "confidence" in Hebrew is Kesel (כֶּסֶל). Interestingly, it can also refer to the "loins" or "flanks"—the sturdy, muscular part of the body. God isn't just a mental comfort; He is the literal "muscle" and core strength that keeps us upright when we are weary.

This is the important part. The choice. We do get to choose how we respond to God and to others.

Thankfully if we make the wrong choice, fixing it is easy, we just sincerely ask for forgiveness and guidance so that we can do better. No things may not change instantly,  but how we feel and how dill with it will change. Amen!

​3. A Partnership in Grace

​Moving to the New Testament, Paul writes to the Philippians from a prison cell (Philippians 1:1-11). He speaks of his "joy" in their "partnership in the gospel."

​The Greek word for partnership is Koinonia (κοινωνία). While we often translate this as "fellowship" or "having coffee," to Paul, it meant a "common participation" or a "legal bond." You are not suffering or serving in a vacuum. You are legally and spiritually bonded to a body of believers and to Christ Himself.

​Paul adds in Philippians 1:29 that it has been granted to us not only to believe in Christ but also to suffer for His sake. This sounds harsh until we look at Proverbs 11:18: "The one who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward." The "sure reward" isn't always a change in circumstances; often, it is the refining of our soul.

​The Prayer of the "Broken Vessel"

​In your current season, are you trying to carry your own weight, or are you practicing Batach—leaning your full weight on Him?

​Paul prays in Philippians 1:9 that your love may abound more and more in "knowledge and depth of insight." The Greek word for "knowledge" here is Epignosis (ἐπίγνωσις). This isn't just facts; it is experiential knowledge. You don't truly know God is a sustainer until you have nothing left to hold you up but Him.

​Keep this truth close today: Your "times are in His hand" (Psalm 31:15). Whether you are in the field tending sheep or in a prison cell like Paul, the "muscle" of the Lord is your confidence. If you find yourself wandering like a lost sheep, remember we have muscle memory. Lean in to the muscles that remember how it feels when God is with you, because he is always there and will never leave you or forsake you, Amen!

Heavenly Father we are so very Thankful that even when our minds are overwhelmed by thoughts, we know our body has muscle memory and remembers your touch, your presence.  

Today Lord, help us all lean into you for all our help and strength.

In Jesus precious name we pray. 

Amen!

Lord's Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven,

Hallowed be Thy name.

Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done,

On earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread,

And forgive us our trespasses,

As we forgive those who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation,

But deliver us from evil.

For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever.

Amen.

BELIEVE, OBEY, BE BLESSED, AMEN

BOBBA

Love, Penny 💛