The Medicine of Creator’s Strength

Sacred Song 27:1

The Psalms are songs of the people, prayers lifted at the fire, cries in the night, and shouts of joy at sunrise. They remind us that hope is a strong medicine given by Creator for our hearts and our communities. Each day, we will receive from a Native American lens a different kind of medicine from the Psalms: strength, trust, joy, rest, gratitude, unity, and peace. May these words strengthen our spirits, draw us back to Creator’s presence, and remind us that Creator never leaves us without hope.

“Grandfather is my light, the One Who Sets Me Free. Who should I fear? My life is kept safe as Grandfather watches over me. I am not afraid” — Psalm 27:1, First Nations Version (FNV)

Creator’s strength is our medicine. The psalmist sings with confidence: light, freedom, and safety come from God. In the First Nations Version, one of the names for God is Grandfather, the One who provides wisdom, love, and care for the people. These words remind us that strength flows from God as our source, renewing our hearts with courage and planting hope for the days ahead.

Think for a moment about where you need strength. Maybe you feel stretched by responsibility or have a concern for someone you love. Maybe you are simply longing for peace in your own heart. Wherever you are, God’s strength meets you right there, like air in your lungs and ground beneath your feet. You can lean into it right now wherever you are.

God’s strength is like a breath moving through us, ever-present and constant. It calms our hearts when we pray. It shows up when we need courage to keep going. It lingers when the night feels long and greets us again when morning rises. God’s strength is never far away; we only need to ask, and it will be given.

In Indigenous traditions, medicine is given to bring life to the people. A plant heals when it is used. A birdsong brings peace when it is sung. A prayer gives courage when it is prayed. In the same way, God’s strength becomes real when we receive it. It is not theory—it is a gift always within reach.

As you journey, let God’s strength be your medicine. Let it give you courage. Let it plant hope in your spirit.

Medicine for the Day

I receive the strength of God as medicine that renews my spirit today.

About the Author

Tamara F. Ravelo’s home is the Quechan Indigenous Nation (pronounced Kwuh-tsan), where she proudly represents her Indigenous culture. She is a NAIITS PhD student and has an MBA, an MDiv from Yale, and a degree in congregational ministry from Andover-Newton Theological Seminary. She is the first Indigenous woman to be ordained in the Evangelical Covenant Church. Tamara, a Medicine Woman, loves prayer and creating spaces for others to heal. She doesn’t do it alone; she is wonderfully loved and supported by her husband, Michael Ravelo, esq. Learn more about Tamara’s work at www.sanctuaryforhersoul.org.