Pastor Stephen Dedman

For the Lord God is a sun and shield; The Lord will give grace and glory; No good thing will He withhold From those who walk uprightly.
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭84‬:‭11‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Question
Is there something you’ve been frustrated about that you need to trust back into God’s hands?

Context
Psalm 84 is a song of longing for the presence of God. The psalmist expresses deep desire to dwell in the courts of the Lord. This verse comes as a declaration of confidence, not just in God’s presence, but in God’s character. He is described as both sun (provider of light and life) and shield (protector and defender).

Application
Sometimes we wrestle with the idea that God is holding something back from us. A door closes. A prayer seems delayed. An opportunity passes. In those moments, the enemy whispers, “God is withholding something good.”

But Psalm 84:11 corrects that lie. God is a sun. He illuminates what you need and warms what feels cold in your life. God is a shield. He blocks what would harm you, even when you don’t see it coming.

If something hasn’t happened yet, it may be because God is shielding. If something has been delayed, it may be because He is preparing you for glory, not just gratification.

Notice the promise: “No good thing will He withhold.” If He has withheld it, then in His wisdom, it is not good for you right now.

Truth For The Day
God is not depriving you. He is directing and protecting you.

Pray
Lord, thank You for being both my sun and my shield. When I don’t understand delays or closed doors, remind me that You are good and You are faithful. Help me to walk uprightly and trust that You will provide every good thing at the right time. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious oil upon the head, Running down on the beard, The beard of Aaron, Running down on the edge of his garments. It is like the dew of Hermon, Descending upon the mountains of Zion; For there the Lord commanded the blessing— Life forevermore.
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭133‬:‭1‬-‭3‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Question
Have you ever noticed how quickly division drains joy, but unity multiplies it?

Context
Psalm 133 is part of the Song of Ascents, sung when traveling to worship in Jerusalem. As families and tribes journeyed together toward the presence of God, unity was considered to be sacred. David paints two pictures: oil running down Aaron’s beard and the dew of Hermon falling on Zion. Both images speak of something flowing downward symbolizing the blessing that begins with God and covers His people.

Biblically, the oil represents consecration and the dew represents refreshment. Unity sets people apart for God’s purposes and revives what has become dry and lifeless.

Application
Unity is not uniformity. It does not mean we think alike on everything, it means we are aligned in heart and purpose. In homes, churches, and leadership teams, unity creates an atmosphere where God’s blessing can flow freely.

Division drains strength. Bitterness dries out vision. But unity invites the anointing of God. The Holy Spirit moves freely where hearts are knit together. Unity does not happen accidentally. It is cultivated through humility, patience, and love.

Truth For The Day
Where unity is guarded, blessing is commanded. Where hearts are joined, life flows.

Pray
Lord, make me a builder of unity. Guard my heart from pride and my words from division. Help me pursue peace in my home, my church, and every place You have planted me. In Jesus’ name, amen.

And now that you belong to Christ, you are the true children of Abraham. You are his heirs, and God’s promise to Abraham belongs to you.
‭‭Galatians‬ ‭3‬:‭29‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Question
Are you trying to earn God’s approval?

Context
Paul is confronting the idea that believers must follow the Law to truly belong to God. Some were teaching that faith in Christ was not enough and that identity came through heritage and rule-keeping. Paul reminds them about the promise God made to Abrahawas always rooted in faith. Long before the Law, Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness. Now, through Christ, that same promise extends to everyone who believes.

Belonging is not earned. It is received.

Application
One of the deepest human needs is to belong. We try to find identity in family, success, reputation, culture, and achievement. But all of those can change. Paul anchors our identity in something unshakable: “You belong to Christ.”

If you belong to Christ you are not an outsider. You are not spiritually second-class. You are not trying to earn your place. You are an heir.

An heir doesn’t beg for inheritance. An heir receives what has already been secured. Through Jesus, the promises of God are not distant hopes, they are your inheritance. Your identity is not fragile. It is rooted in Christ.

Truth For The Day
If you belong to Christ, you already belong in the family of God and every promise attached to that family is yours through Him.

Pray
Lord, thank You that my identity is secure in Christ. Help me live from belonging, not striving. Remind me that I am an heir to Your promises, not because of my performance, but because of Your grace. Teach me to walk confidently as Your child today. In Jesus’ name, amen.