“I love you, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” Psalm 18:1-2

Nearly 10 months ago, as I was pulling my bed sheets up for the night, my cell phone rang, around 10:30pm. Caller ID said it was my parent’s house, which would have meant that it was 11:30pm with an east coast time change. My heart sank. Why would anyone be calling me from that number so late at night?

My Dad had battled Parkinson’s disease for several years. In the last year of his life he experienced a drastic decline at the age of 83. The weight of sitting by my Dad, unable to talk to him, and understanding that I most likely would not be able to again this side of heaven, seemed unbearable.

I reached out to a dear friend in my helplessness. I cried out to God too, but God also used the prayers and encouraging words of my friends to sustain me. My friend had experienced the loss of 3 children and her husband. She confidently reminded me that the power of prayer had sustained her in ways she never felt possible. The same God was watching over me.

I will always remember waking on the day of my Dad’s death and feeling peace and my strength for the first time since I had come home. Somehow, as I entered the hospital, I didn’t feel sick to my stomach anymore. My feet were moving in the direction of incredible dread and sadness, and yet they moved with confidence. I truly experienced a peace that passed my understanding. It was not a magical day. It was not a happy day. However, there was a sense of comfort, strength and peace that ministered to my soul that day and continues to do so.

Read the full devotion at https://devotableapp.com/daily-devotion-psalm-18-1-2-the-lord-my-strength/