Pride in My Glory

“But you, O Lord, are a shield around me; you are my glory, the one who holds my head high.” Psalm 3:3

Glory: magnificence; great beauty, a thing that is beautiful or distinctive; a special cause for pride, respect, or delight

Pride: a feeling or deep pleasure derived from one’s own achievements or the achievements of those with whom one is closely associated

 Arrogance: having or revealing an exaggerated sense of one's own importance or abilities, from Latin arrogant - ‘claiming for oneself’

My Abba,

You are my only eternal protection. I realize you don’t always intervene on my behalf to free me from all peril on my journey. But I am certain I would not take my next breath without your protection.

I have seen enough evil in my life to know that you are pushing back against the darkness that desires to steal, kill and destroy us or we would cease to exist. Thank you for all that you do to protect me emotionally, spiritually, mentally and physically.

I find it interesting that there are so many definitions for the word “glory.” But the ones above seem most appropriate to me in this context. You are my magnificence - my great beauty. You are my ultimate cause for pride, respect and delight! You are the source of my greatest pleasure. You are my glory!

 It occurs to me that I have always thought of pride in a negative sense. I have only thought of it as a word meaning that I am focused on my own achievements without giving you credit. In the past, I narrowed the definition of “pride” to “arrogance,” claiming something for myself that belonged to you.  But the definition above brings new clarity on experiencing pride in you.

I can experience deep pleasure derived from your achievements because I am “closely associated” with you. This reminds me of how kids who love their fathers, sometimes feel proud and brag on the things they think make their fathers great.

I recall my daughter recently telling me what was wonderful about her dad. There were so many things from her father’s way of affirming her to their Mexican food and ice cream dates, from the corny songs he sang to the passion for books he instilled in her.

You are my Abba. The more our relationship thrives, the more my pride (deep pleasure in you and your achievements) flourishes. I want to grow in my ability to celebrate who you are and your infinite accomplishments.

Please increase my adoration for you.

I love you,

Mollie

My child,

I want you to revel in my magnificent presence every day. You were created for so much more than just survival. Don’t settle for just going through the motions. You are an eternal creature designed with an eternal capacity to enjoy relationship with me. 

When life seems mundane, and you are unfulfilled, it is because you have lost sight of my glory. Ask me to help you refocus on me and the epic adventure we can share. Each day you can enjoy the deep pleasure that comes from sharing life with me and witnessing the mighty works of my hands.

I have given you an opportunity to walk alongside me as I free the captives, bind up the brokenhearted, and bring beauty from the ashes of many lives – including yours. Nothing, my child, will satisfy you more than our journey together!

I love you,

Abba

photo: dennis jacobsen