‘’ THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS’’ 

“Thus says the LORD who formed it to establish it (THE LORD IS HIS NAME). Call to Me, and I will answer you and show you great and mighty things you do not know. Behold, I will bring it health and healing. I will heal them and reveal the abundance of peace and truth. And I will cause the captives of Judah and the captives of Israel to return and will rebuild those places as at the first. I will cleanse them from all their iniquities by which they have transgressed against Me. Then it shall be to Me a name of Joy, a praise and an honor before all the nations of the earth, who shall hear all the good that I do for them. They shall fear and tremble for all the goodness and prosperity I provide for it.”

Jeremiah 33:2-9, 

“There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots. The Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon Him, the Spirit of Wisdom and Understanding. The Spirit of Counsel and Might, the Spirit of Knowledge, and the fear of the LORD. His delight is in the fear of the LORD. 

Isaiah 11:1-3, 

See also: Isaiah 40

As I pondered on the Goodness of God this past week, I felt His love pour into me through the children I serve, and even a child I never knew spoke kindly over me. I was so heartbroken the prior week because of the indifference from certain family members on Thanksgiving. I didn’t feel the need to disclose who they were because it wasn’t about them; it was entirely about me and my childhood abandonment. When triggered, I saw the little girl within crying, “Daddy, don’t forget about me again!”

My heart was so broken, I could not contain the tears until one day, my brother from another father, my mother’s first husband, and whom I was given his name, “Liles,” not by physical adoption, but spiritual adoption. Our Father in Heaven has adopted us, and we call ABBA, has given us His Love through Christ, His Son. People have ministered to me countless times, and I have read numerous times and spoken God’s word over my life that I am not alone and that God would never abandon me; I know, I know, and I know! However, the Tiny Dancer left behind was still trapped in the past. She was not healed from the wounds of abandonment in the past.

I was not his biological child. I was very young when my mother married him; I was about three months old and don’t remember when he left. However, when my brother and I spoke over the holiday, he redirected our conversation and said he needed to tell me a story about a horse his dad had and dearly loved. He said,

“My dad had an Appaloosa horse and spent thousands of dollars for her and on her. She was beautiful, and she was not just any horse.” He told me more about this horse and called her a few choice names because she was his daddy’s baby, and she knew it! He said, ” It wasn’t until we met several years ago that I realized that my father named his precious horse Lisa; he named her Lisa Liles after you! She died but has a couple of grand horses on my land in Oklahoma.”

I stood in shock for a moment because, as a child, I was told that no one wanted me. I waited and looked out the window, wondering if my daddy was ever going to come and take me away from my abusive caretakers. I understand now that it’s not that easy; life isn’t a fairytale. But, the true freedom I felt that day was that I was perfectly loved, as was loved; Daddy’s little Tiny Dancer, although he couldn’t take me with him then. I felt like the Tiny Dancer within me met the love of God, held by Christ in me, and set her free from her captivity; I imagined her running free like a wild horse!

I am so excited and can’t wait to visit with my brother, Jason, and meet Lisa’s grand horses, God willing, soon!

Heavenly Father, I acknowledge that everyday choices are presented to us; some are traps, and others lead to self-destruction. LORD, lead us like the good husband You intended man to be: in Your Likeness, a man after Your heart,  who loves, is present, protects, and provides. May Your Goodness and Mercy follow us all the days of our lives. Lead us away from the desires of the flesh, the world, and the evil one.  LORD, let discernment and prudence guide us. Make us steadfast in doing what is right according to Your will. Let courage speak boldly through us as we should, cause our feet to be like the dear, and escape all evil. Let righteousness pursue us all the days of our lives. Let Your strong arm protect us, our good, good Father, who protects us from every form of evil that rises against us; be our Refuge, our Dwelling Place, and set the table of Your Goodness in front of our enemies, that they may see and desire to seek You and Your Salvation.   

Lamb of God, take away our sins that lead to destruction and death; bring health and healing. Heal us, LORD, and reveal the abundance of Your peace and truth. Set captives free; the captives of Israel and Judah return to You and give us Your Perfect Love. Pour these same blessings over our loved ones, friends, and everyone around us in Jesus’ Mighty Name.  I surrender my body to Your Holy Spirit to do the will of God for His glory, not mine. Let Righteousness rise in us, like the morning sun, in Jesus Christ, who is our Righteousness.

LORD,  You gave me more sons and daughters than a married woman. You have brought my sons and daughters back to me and given me more than a husband has given his wife (Is. 54).  Pour Your Holy Spirit, the LIKENESS OF CHRIST, YOUR SON, in us, make us kingdom builders; bringing many more sons and daughters into Your Kingdom; all to the Glory of God Almighty. (Ps. 17). May the spirit of Gratitude fill our hearts and thanksgiving be on our lips. Answer us when we call, and show us great and mighty things we did not know. 

THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.