"Where's Your Bucket?"

The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. (Psalm 18:2 NIV).

There are many examples from the natural world of God’s protective provisions. Perhaps you have traveled through San Juan Capistrano. For centuries these golden-breasted birds have spent their summers in the eaves of the old mission located there. They always arrive on March 19th and leave on October 23rd, never missing those dates. Not once have they varied over the years. Even leap year does not change the times of their coming and going. And the swallows invariably start out before daylight on their southern flight. Now, how would you explain this unusual phenomenon? Nature's guidance? Luck? Coincidence? Of course not! God has placed within them an instinct that tells them with uncanny accuracy when to head south and when to return. Their survival depends on this innate sense of timing. And, if He cares so much for these tiny little birds, consider how much more we mean to Him.

God’s protection is unlimited. This psalm of David explains five basic truths of this protection.

 God is like “a rock” that can’t be moved by any who would harm us.
 God is like “a fortress” or place of safety where the enemy can’t follow.
 God is “a shield” that comes between us and harm.
 God is “a horn of salvation” which was a symbol of might and power.
 God is “a stronghold high above our enemies.”

Knowing these truths should bring encouragement to continue in our walk. I know from my own life that God is always right on time. Especially over the past few years I have wondered what God could possibly do to make some of my experience “work together for good.” And, often just about the time I was about to surrender to feelings of doubt and fear, God arrives and shows me His abundance of mercy and grace. You may be going through such a time in your life. Please remember that nothing is impossible for our heavenly Father. Nancy Spiegelberg has written a wonderful bit of verse:

Lord, I crawled across the barrenness
to you…
with my empty cup…
uncertain in asking
any small drop of refreshment.
If only I had known you
better…
I’d have come running…
with a bucket.

Do you have your bucket with you today?