Psalm 91:14-16
The Lord says,
“If you love me
and truly know who I am,
I will rescue you
and keep you safe.
When you are in trouble,
call out to me.
I will answer and be there
to protect and honor you.
You will live a long life
and see my saving power.”
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
A
new catch-phrase has emerged in our culture for times when people are
in a dire situation and call on help “from a higher power”. We call
this the “Come to Jesus” moment. If you were to be in a car wreck or
suffering some other sudden crisis or emergency…if you found yourself
facing the wrath of a tornado – or someone who was angry and about to
assault you…if you were in a desperate situation, such as the breakdown
of a relationship or the loss of a loved one…you might cry out, “Help
me, Jesus!”
Would God/Jesus hear you? Certainly. Would He
rescue you? Perhaps. Am I saying that God does not always answer our
prayers? Absolutely not! What I am saying is that a lot of people cry
out to God or Jesus when there is trouble…but when the crisis passes,
they return to their old way of living and leave Him out of the
equation. We’ve all done this at one point or another, and I can tell
you from personal experience that the attitude and intention with which
we call on God for help makes all the difference.
When I was a
young adult, particularly during my college years, I called on God
often. I used my little green (school color) Gideon New Testament to
find scriptures to help with various situations, and I read them often
and talked to God about them. And God saw me through each time of
need. So, what was missing?
Today, I see that the difference
in my relationship has to do with my heart. I loved God and believed in
Him. I would have to say that my “trust” in Him to answer then was more
of the “I sure hope You will” kind of trust than the “I know that You
hear me and will address this perfectly” variety. Today, I have a deep,
abiding confidence that I truly know who God is…and a much clearer
understanding of how much He cares for me – and how He operates! My
trust is not just that God will answer…but that He will do so in His
timing – and perfectly – whether this is what I asked for or not.
So
IF I were to have a “Come to Jesus” moment today, I would rest in the
comfort and peace of knowing that God heard me – and that He was “on
it”…making everything work together flawlessly for HIS purposes – which
would ultimately be perfect for me. God will rescue you and keep you
safe…if you truly love Him and know who He is. Do YOU have this sort of
relationship with your Heavenly Father? Isn’t it time you did?
©2015 Debbie Robus
Showing posts with label God's shelter and refuge. Show all posts
Showing posts with label God's shelter and refuge. Show all posts
Daily Devotional for April 27, 2015
The Lord Most High
is your fortress.
Run to him for safety,
and no terrible disasters
will strike you
or your home.
God will command his angels
to protect you
wherever you go.
They will carry you
in their arms,
and you won’t hurt your feet
on the stones.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
When I was a little girl, I spent a lot of time in my grandmother’s storm cellar. We did not have sophisticated weather radar, so when the skies started to look threatening, the women and children of the neighborhood would gather in the storm cellar…and the men would stand on my grandparents’ screened porch and “watch the clouds”. I don’t really know how long we were in that cellar at one stretch, but it seemed like hours…and often it was at night.
 |
| My dad and me - 1958. I was almost a year old. |
So when I think of God protecting me…I think of these “men” in my life who sheltered me and carried me as a child. I am the 5-year-old little girl who needs to be wrapped in a quilt and shielded from the wind and rain of life’s storms…carried from one place to the next without my feet ever touching the ground. God is strong, brave, and able to ensure my safety. In His arms, I am safe, loved, and nurtured.
This is a bittersweet, but comforting image for me. What I wouldn’t give to be that little girl one more time…to have my cousins and my dad standing on the porch at my grandmother’s…ready, willing and able to wrap their arms around me and shield me from harm. The GOOD NEWS is that I can experience this each and every day with my Heavenly Father…and I do. I imagine God carrying me…nestling me in His strong arms…telling me that I am safe, and that He will take care of me. And He does this – and so much more - every single day!
Life’s storms will come for all of us. But we can all enjoy the protection and comfort of God’s shelter and care. His arms are always open…He is always ready to meet our needs. God is standing beside you, “quilt” in hand…ready to wrap you up and carry you wherever you need to go. Are you ready to let Him?
©2015 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for April 26, 2015
April 26 ~ Psalms 91:1-6
We live within the shadow of the Almighty, sheltered by the God who is above all gods.
This I declare, that he alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I am trusting him. For he rescues you from every trap and protects you from the fatal plague. He will shield you with his wings! They will shelter you. His faithful promises are your armor. Now you don’t need to be afraid of the dark anymore, nor fear the dangers of the day; nor dread the plagues of darkness, nor disasters in the morning.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I still remember the day that I marched into my principal’s office and said, “I will not be back as a teacher next year.” Talk about a scary moment! I knew that this was right for me…but after 9 years in the classroom, I was also nervous and frightened about admitting – to myself and others – that I needed to go in another direction. I remember the day I gave notice in another job that I had held for more than three years. Again, I knew it was the right thing to do, but saying those words was not easy. I remember the day I messaged all of the members of my church’s Praise Team and told them that I had just spent my last Sunday helping to lead worship. I knew that God was moving me…but after eight years of serving in this capacity, the finality of saying, “I’m done” was daunting, to say the least.
Every day, people do courageous things. Some take brave steps, like uttering the phrase, “My name is XYZ, and I am an alcoholic.” Or perhaps they tell their friends and family members that they are gay. Maybe someone in an abusive relationship says, “Enough!” and contacts authorities or a shelter and pursues physical safety and support. Maybe you have admitted to someone that you are in over your head financially and need help figuring out what to do next. Or perhaps you have admitted that your marriage or relationship is not working…and something has to change.
Maybe you have told your parents that you are flunking out of school – or that you don’t want to return to college next year. Or maybe you told your coach or band director - or another group sponsor - that you are quitting the team/band/club.
This scripture passage is particularly important for each of us, because at one point or another, we will all face something that scares the pants off us. It may be one of the things I mentioned. Or it may be another personal crisis – like losing a loved one, physical illness or injury…or even facing your own mortality. We’ve all been in a situation where our heart raced and pounded and we dreaded the day or night and whatever it might bring.
But no more! We must remind ourselves that we do indeed stand within the shadow of the Almighty, sheltered by the God who is above all gods. We must remember that He alone is our refuge, our place of safety; He is our God, and we must trust Him. We must feel the shelter of His wings and seek refuge there.
When fears come – and they will – we must call on God to help us…and fully believe that He will do just that. Whatever you are facing today…whatever fears are troubling you…give them to God. Let the armor of His loving arms embrace and embolden you with courage and peace. Put one foot in front of the other, and keep on going. God’s got this…you have nothing to fear!
©2015 Debbie Robus
We live within the shadow of the Almighty, sheltered by the God who is above all gods.
This I declare, that he alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I am trusting him. For he rescues you from every trap and protects you from the fatal plague. He will shield you with his wings! They will shelter you. His faithful promises are your armor. Now you don’t need to be afraid of the dark anymore, nor fear the dangers of the day; nor dread the plagues of darkness, nor disasters in the morning.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I still remember the day that I marched into my principal’s office and said, “I will not be back as a teacher next year.” Talk about a scary moment! I knew that this was right for me…but after 9 years in the classroom, I was also nervous and frightened about admitting – to myself and others – that I needed to go in another direction. I remember the day I gave notice in another job that I had held for more than three years. Again, I knew it was the right thing to do, but saying those words was not easy. I remember the day I messaged all of the members of my church’s Praise Team and told them that I had just spent my last Sunday helping to lead worship. I knew that God was moving me…but after eight years of serving in this capacity, the finality of saying, “I’m done” was daunting, to say the least.
Every day, people do courageous things. Some take brave steps, like uttering the phrase, “My name is XYZ, and I am an alcoholic.” Or perhaps they tell their friends and family members that they are gay. Maybe someone in an abusive relationship says, “Enough!” and contacts authorities or a shelter and pursues physical safety and support. Maybe you have admitted to someone that you are in over your head financially and need help figuring out what to do next. Or perhaps you have admitted that your marriage or relationship is not working…and something has to change.
Maybe you have told your parents that you are flunking out of school – or that you don’t want to return to college next year. Or maybe you told your coach or band director - or another group sponsor - that you are quitting the team/band/club.
This scripture passage is particularly important for each of us, because at one point or another, we will all face something that scares the pants off us. It may be one of the things I mentioned. Or it may be another personal crisis – like losing a loved one, physical illness or injury…or even facing your own mortality. We’ve all been in a situation where our heart raced and pounded and we dreaded the day or night and whatever it might bring.
But no more! We must remind ourselves that we do indeed stand within the shadow of the Almighty, sheltered by the God who is above all gods. We must remember that He alone is our refuge, our place of safety; He is our God, and we must trust Him. We must feel the shelter of His wings and seek refuge there.
When fears come – and they will – we must call on God to help us…and fully believe that He will do just that. Whatever you are facing today…whatever fears are troubling you…give them to God. Let the armor of His loving arms embrace and embolden you with courage and peace. Put one foot in front of the other, and keep on going. God’s got this…you have nothing to fear!
©2015 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for October 26, 2014
Psalm 91:9-10
For Jehovah is my refuge! I choose the God above all gods to shelter me. How then can evil overtake me or any plague come near?
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
If it weren't so pitiful, it would almost be funny how people have reacted to the recent news about the appearance of the ebola virus in our country. When the deadly illness first struck people in Dallas, Texas, I had Facebook "friends" who actually said, "Omigosh! That's only 6 hours away from here!" Helloooooo! You're not going to get it over the Internet!
Fear is one of the devil's biggest weapons. If he can just make us fear something...if he can confuse us and cause us not to understand, investigate, and/or get all of the facts...he can really mess with our minds and our hearts. And many of us seem to "go there" with warp speed!
In this scripture passage, we are reminded that God is our refuge...our shelter...the "soft (and safe) place to fall". When we are securely grounded in Him...when we are firmly entrenched in the clutches of His hand, what can really harm us?
Does this mean that we will never get sick...that nothing "bad" will ever happen to us? NO! But one of the keys to this passage is the word overtake. Nothing can overtake us when God is in control. When we are safely sheltered in His arms, we can face any challenge...we can battle any illness, or injury...we can work our way through grief and loss - and find a place of recovery and restoration. When God is our refuge, "plagues" may come dangerously close...but we will never be overcome by them.
I am participating in a six-week Bible study with a wonderful group of ladies. One night, the facilitator asked us what was keeping us from discovering our "Best Yes"...from doing what we know that God is calling us to do - and finding a million excuses for doing anything and everything else. What is really holding us back? And the answer we collectively agreed upon was...fear...fear of the unknown...fear of what might (or might not) happen...fear of rejection and ridicule...fear of failure. And we had to agree that for those who truly believe in the shelter and refuge of God Almighty, fear is totally ludicrous!
So I guess my question for us today is this...are we really dwelling in the shelter and refuge of God? Or have we stepped away and given the devil a chance to latch hold of us? God's arms are open...He is waiting to offer us safety and protection. In His grip, nothing can overtake us. So where will you choose to reside?
©2014 Debbie Robus
For Jehovah is my refuge! I choose the God above all gods to shelter me. How then can evil overtake me or any plague come near?
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
If it weren't so pitiful, it would almost be funny how people have reacted to the recent news about the appearance of the ebola virus in our country. When the deadly illness first struck people in Dallas, Texas, I had Facebook "friends" who actually said, "Omigosh! That's only 6 hours away from here!" Helloooooo! You're not going to get it over the Internet!
Fear is one of the devil's biggest weapons. If he can just make us fear something...if he can confuse us and cause us not to understand, investigate, and/or get all of the facts...he can really mess with our minds and our hearts. And many of us seem to "go there" with warp speed!
In this scripture passage, we are reminded that God is our refuge...our shelter...the "soft (and safe) place to fall". When we are securely grounded in Him...when we are firmly entrenched in the clutches of His hand, what can really harm us?
Does this mean that we will never get sick...that nothing "bad" will ever happen to us? NO! But one of the keys to this passage is the word overtake. Nothing can overtake us when God is in control. When we are safely sheltered in His arms, we can face any challenge...we can battle any illness, or injury...we can work our way through grief and loss - and find a place of recovery and restoration. When God is our refuge, "plagues" may come dangerously close...but we will never be overcome by them.
I am participating in a six-week Bible study with a wonderful group of ladies. One night, the facilitator asked us what was keeping us from discovering our "Best Yes"...from doing what we know that God is calling us to do - and finding a million excuses for doing anything and everything else. What is really holding us back? And the answer we collectively agreed upon was...fear...fear of the unknown...fear of what might (or might not) happen...fear of rejection and ridicule...fear of failure. And we had to agree that for those who truly believe in the shelter and refuge of God Almighty, fear is totally ludicrous!
So I guess my question for us today is this...are we really dwelling in the shelter and refuge of God? Or have we stepped away and given the devil a chance to latch hold of us? God's arms are open...He is waiting to offer us safety and protection. In His grip, nothing can overtake us. So where will you choose to reside?
©2014 Debbie Robus
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