I’m Beginning to “Get It”

It seems that everything I read here lately reminds me that I am being cared for by One far greater than I. (I wrote about that in yesterday's post on 1-20-2019.) This afternoon, while I was reading in Amy Carmichael’s wonderful book, Thou Givest...They Gather, I came to these words:

Did you ever fear a little as you thought of the difficulties ahead? Did you ever think, “The Lord Jesus has so many to take care of, how will He have time to think of me?” We have the answer to such thoughts here [Revelation 1:16-17]. It is the Hand that holds the seven stars (the seven churches, all the worlds and the Heaven of heaven) it is that Hand that is laid upon each one of us, and to each one the word is the same, “Fear not” (p.103).

This evening, as I was doing an assignment in The Quest: An Excursion Toward Greater Intimacy with God, one of the Scriptures the author (Beth Moore) included was Deuteronomy 33:3, which says:

A bit further down in that same chapter, I came to these words, which I’ve heard Elisabeth Elliot say hundreds of times on her radio program Gateway to Joy:

The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are His everlasting arms (Deuteronomy 33:27a). 

Is it a coincidence that I’m receiving the same message from various sources? I don’t think so. I believe it is a message my Heavenly Father wants me to truly believe. Therefore, He’s allowing me to hear it again and again even though it’s expressed in slightly different words by those who recorded and then shared the words He gave them. Thankfully, the message is beginning to sink into my mind and heart. God does love me. He holds me in His mighty hand. There I am secure and have no need to fear. 

Is that a message you also need to hear, to believe, and to share with others?

Under His Wings

Many times as I read the Bible, I’ll recall a picture I’ve taken that illustrates the principle mentioned in the passage. For example, as I read Psalm 91 (one of my favorites), several photos came to mind, including this one.

I took it in 2013 when my husband and I strolled along the Riverwalk in San Antonio, Texas. The mallard duck didn't appear agitated by the thronging crowd or by the noise in that congested restaurant/shopping area.

I’m not sure why her ducklings had drawn near to her. Had something scared them? Was it naptime?

Whatever the reason, the protective mother and her little ones form a word picture of this promise found in Psalm 91:1-4, NIV: “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.... [There] He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.”

Yes, under His wings, we (like the ducklings) find protection. Of course, God has far more skill and power to defend those who seek refuge in Him than the female mallard does. But the mallard and her young ones illustrate the principle of God’s tender love and care for those who trust Him.

Benefits of Wisdom

Wisdom is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her;

those who hold her fast are called blessed....

Do not lose sight of sound wisdom and discretion.....

Then you will walk on your way securely, 

and your foot will not stumble. 

If you lie down, you will not be afraid;

when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.

(See Proverbs 3:18-24)

When Storms Rage

I took the above photo from my room on the third floor of a hotel in western North Carolina just before a real doozy of a storm hit the area. Thunder boomed. Lightning flashed like strobe lights. I propped up in bed and looked out the wall-to-wall window that provided an unobstructed view of the awesome storm. As I watched, I marveled at the power of God--and sincerely thanked Him for safe shelter from the storm.

But if I had been outside, I'd have been fervently crying out to God to keep me safe...to either stop the storm or help me survive it! 

Thankfully, Dear Reader, you and I can also cry out to God when the storms of life rage around us and we feel as if we have no safe hiding place. During those storms, a doctor's words can sound more ominous than loudest thunder, words that shake us to the core. And/Or unexpected calamity strikes as suddenly as a bolt of lightning--sometimes one heartbreak after another, like frequent flashes of lightning during the height of a storm.

During such times, we instinctively cry out to God for help, asking Him to provide specific solutions. Sometimes we're suffering so much in the midst of the storm that's raging around us that we can't figure out what's best to ask God for. At such times, it's always wise to ask Him to do for us these overarching requests Mosie Lister makes in his beautiful song, Till the Storm Passes By:

• Hear my cry for help! [Even if I have no words, only the the desperate, unutterable cry of my heart!]
• Keep me safe till the storm passes by. [Help me weather the storm! Without You, I can't make it.]
• Hold me fast. [For I am not afraid when I sense Your nearness and Your love.]
• Let me stand in the hollow of Your hand [a place of great safety where You can easily watch over me]

Even if God doesn't immediately still the storms of life, He will calm us! What a blessing that is!

:

O LORD, You are my God;

I will exalt You;

I will praise Your name,

for You have done wonderful things, plans formed of old, faithful and sure.

For You have been a stronghold to the poor,

a stronghold to the needy in his distress, 

a shelter from the storm and a shade from the heat...

Isaiah 25:1, 4

Peaceful Sleep!

Under His Wings

Taken on the River Walk in San Antonio, Texas.
Notice how watchful the mother duck is and
how the ducklings instinctively know
to hide under her wings!