“Praise is declaration, a victory cry, proclaiming faith to
stand firm in the place God has given you. Praise is a proclamation that the
enemy’s intent to plunder you will not rock you. Praise declares that you will
not be moved by the enemy’s attempt to snatch you away.”
― Darlene
Zschech
Recently I went to a very special graduation ceremony where two young
women celebrated the rites of passage, from a discipleship program through recovery
into a world emergent with possibilities. From an experience of darkness, these
young women, through the Esther Foundation, have been groomed for leadership –
through practicing leadership.
I’ve had the privilege of journeying with a family of one of the
graduands. The whole family have been through such a courageous milieu. Each
has been tested significantly, as life finds a time to test us all. Admiration
is the only thing to be afforded those who inspire us, and inspire us these
families do.
The reason the Esther Foundation program seems to work is the principle
of the Kingship of Christ as it intersects with the fact that all girls – in God’s
economy of things – are princesses. But not just any old princesses are our
daughters and sisters; they are princesses of the King!
This is no feel-good sentiment; it is a fact throbbing irrepressibly
with God’s good grace.
Each girl, each young woman, each mature woman, and each elderly woman;
all these are princesses of incredibly unfathomable worth to the Lord.
It is a fact that each boy, each young man, each mature man, and each
elderly man are just as cherished to God.
Whenever we begin to see ourselves as God sees us, healing is never too
far away.
When we grasp just what is at stake in life – the taking of lives by the
enemy against the giving of lives by the Son – we realise we have a fresh
opportunity.
Praise will change the emphasis in this divine struggle. Joy will repel
the enemy’s darts. Hope will replace doubting moments that separate us from our
confidence and send us into glimpses of despair. Love is experienced and it
speaks volumes to us; once, and now forever.
Jesus reminds us that when we are his, we are safe, we are loved and,
indeed, loveable. And we are his whenever we accept this free gift – salvation.
***
Whenever we begin to see ourselves as God sees us, healing is never too
far away.
God has ordained from the beginning – an eternal truth – so far as girls
are concerned – every single one is a princess of the King. For a young woman to
live this truth is power to experience joy, to live content, to magnify praise
for her King, and to take life courageously as it comes.
© 2014 S. J. Wickham.
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