The Protection of God

The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. (Psalm 18:2 ESV). There are many examples from the natural world of God’s protective provisions. Perhaps you have traveled through San Juan Capistrano. For hundreds of years these golden-breasted birds have spent their summers in the eaves of the old mission located there. They always arrive on March 19 and leave on October 23, 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. There really is nothing 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?

The Good Shepherd

Throughout the years there have been those times when I have been called on to bring comfort at a most difficult time. One of those times was at the bedside of a dear friend who lay dying of cancer. He was unconscious and very near death as the family and I gathered around his bed. I could think of no better words of comfort than those written by David so many centuries ago, now found in Psalm 23. The LORD is my shepherd; I have everything I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name. Even when I walk through the dark valley of death, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You welcome me as a guest, anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings. Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the LORD forever. The duties of a shepherd in the Middle East were very simple. At first light he would lead the flock from their fold, always marching ahead, leading and never driving them to the next pasture. When they would arrive, he would stand watch over them. His watch was two-fold. He carefully attended to them watching that none would stray into a dangerous area and he also watched the horizon for any danger creeping in from the perimeter. Wild animals and thieves were known to prowl the countryside looking for easy prey. All through the day, he would provide them with food and water to sustain them, protection to keep them safe, and guidance to keep them from losing their way. As the sun began to set, the shepherd would lead his flock to the safety of the fold once again. There he would remain guarding them through the darkness of the night. Perhaps you are not gathered around the bedside of a loved one today, but you are in need of the same kind of comfort that David and millions of others have found from this psalm today. Jesus is indeed our Good shepherd. He declares that truth: "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me” (John 10:11,14). Like David, turn to the Good Shepherd and allow Him to lead you to the green pastures and still waters of life. In his book, The Ragamuffin Gospel, Brennan Manning tells about an incident which took place one day when a two-story house caught on fire. The family was making its way out of the house when the smallest boy became terrified, tore away from his mother, and ran back upstairs. Suddenly, he appeared at a smoke-filled window crying hysterically. Standing outside, his father shouted, “Jump, son, jump! I will catch you." The boy cried, "But daddy, I can't see you.” "I know,” his father called. “But I can see you." That's really all that matters, isn't it? He can see us, even when we can’t see Him. He does lead us. Now, will you follow? Pray this morning… “Dear Father, my Good Shepherd, wherever you lead, I will follow. Today, I choose to trust in you.”

Worry and the Faithfulness of God

Gordon MacDonald writes: “No man ever collapsed because of the burdens of the day; it is when the burdens of tomorrow are added to the cares of today that a man begins to sink.” Certainly this is at the heart of Jesus’ teaching in the Sermon on the Mount: “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” (Matthew 6:25-34 ESV). Because of the ill effects of worry, Jesus tells us not to worry about those needs that God promises to supply. Worry does not produce positive results. In fact, worry may damage your health; cause the object of your worry to consume your thoughts; disrupt your productivity; negatively affect the way you treat others; and, reduce your ability to trust in God. There is the difference between worry and genuine concern—worry immobilizes, but concern moves you to action. Today let me make a few suggestions as you begin your week. First, instead of worrying about what we cannot do, we need to focus on what God can do. To “give him first place in your life” means to turn to God first for help, to fill your thoughts with his desires, to take his character for your pattern, and to serve and obey him in everything. What is really important to you? People, objects, goals, and other desires all compete for priority. Any of these can quickly bump God out of first place if you don’t actively choose to give him first place in every area of your life. Second, we need to keep things in proper perspective. Planning for tomorrow is time well spent; worrying about tomorrow is time wasted. Sometimes it’s difficult to tell the difference. Careful planning is thinking ahead about goals, steps, and schedules, and trusting in God’s guidance. When done well, planning can help alleviate worry. Worrying, in contrast, is being consumed by fear and finding it difficult to trust God. It is letting our plans interfere with our relationship with God. Don’t let worries about tomorrow affect your relationship with God today. The Apostle Paul wrote, Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. (Philippians 4:6 ESV). Your heavenly Father will NEVER let you down!

Falling Into the Arms of God - Part 3

The past two mornings we have talked about the first two steps to “falling into the arms of God”: first, being still before Him; and, second, worship and adoring him daily. Today, the third step we must practice is to let go of your fear and fall into His arms. Listen to the promise of Moses: Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you. (Deuteronomy 31:6 ESV). There once was a very pious Jewish couple living in a small village who had married young and full of love for one another. Their greatest hope was to have a child so their love could walk the earth with joy. Yet, there were difficulties. Since they were pious, they prayed and prayed and prayed. Along with considerable other efforts, the wife conceived. When she did conceive, she laughed louder than Sarah laughed when she conceived Isaac. And the child leaped in her womb more joyously than John did in the womb of Elizabeth when Mary visited her. And nine months later a delightful little boy came rumbling into the world. They named him Mordecai. He was rambunctious, zestful, gulping down the days and dreaming through the nights. The sun and the moon were his toys. He grew in age and wisdom and grace, until it was time for him to go to the synagogue and learn the Word of God. The night before his studies were to begin his parents sat Mordecai down and told him how important the Word of God was. The stressed that without the Word of God Mordecai would be an autumn leaf in the winter’s wind. He listened wide-eyed. Yet, the next day he never arrived at the synagogue. Instead he found himself in the woods, swimming in the lake and climbing the trees. When he came home that night, the news had spread throughout the small village. Everyone knew of his shame. His parents were beside themselves. They did not know what to do. So they called in the behavior modificationists to modify his behavior, until there was no behavior of Mordecai’s that was not modified. Nevertheless, the next day he found himself in the woods, swimming in the lake and climbing the trees. So they called in the psychoanalysts, who unblocked Mordecai’s blockages, so there was no more blocks for Mordecai to be blocked by. Nevertheless, he found himself the next day swimming in the lake and climbing the trees. His parents grieved for their beloved son. There seemed to be no hope. At the same time, the Great Rabbi visited the small village. And, the parents said, “Ah, perhaps the Rabbi can help!” So, they took Mordecai to the Rabbi and told him their tale of woe. The Rabbi bellowed, “Leave the boy with me, and I will have a talking with him!” It was bad enough that Mordecai would not go to the synagogue. But, to leave their beloved son alone with this lion of a man was terrifying. However, they had come this far, and so they left him. Now Mordecai stood in the hallway and the Great Rabbi stood in his parlor. He beckoned, “Boy, come here!” Trembling, Mordecai came forward. And then the Great Rabbi picked him up and held him silently against his heart. His parents came to get Mordecai, and they took him home. The next day he went to the synagogue to learn the Word of God. And when he was done, he went to the woods. And the Word of God became one with the words of the woods, which became the words of Mordecai. And he swam in the lake. And the Word of God became one with the words of the lake, which became one with the words of Mordecai. And he climbed the trees. And the Word of God became one with the words of the trees, which became one with the words of Mordecai. And Mordecai himself grew up to become a great man. People who were without anybody came to him and found communion. People with no exits came to him and found a way out. And when they came to him, he said, “I first learned the Word of God when the Great Rabbi held me silently against his heart.” Aren’t you ready to become one with the Word of God? Aren’t you ready to fall into His arms, too? You can. Be still. Worship and adore Him. Let go of your fear and fall into His arms now.

Falling Into the Arms of God - Part 2

Yesterday we talked about the first step to “falling into the arms of God” being still before Him. Today, the second step we must practice is worship and adoring Him daily. A. W. Tozer said, “We are called to an everlasting preoccupation with God.” We are all preoccupied with many things, our jobs, our families, and our futures – all of these very compelling and important facets of our lives. However, if we desire to know the peace of God we must develop a singular preoccupation in worship and adoration of Him. The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. (Matthew 13:44 ESV). When Jesus drifted just a bit away from the north shore of the Sea of Galilee to take advantage of the natural acoustics to teach the vast number of people gathered before Him, he used and incredible illustration of a man and a hidden treasure. In their agriculturally based society, it was very common to see a man plowing a field with his oxen. Slowly plodding behind the ox, turning the earth furrow after furrow, each hour faded into the next without any interruption of change. It was no more than just another long day of labor in the weary rhythm of time. Until, suddenly, the ox stops ands labors under the increased effort necessary to move another step. The young day laborer drives his plowshare deeper and urges his ox forward with his voice and a firm prodding from his goad. Yet, the plow will not budge. He pushes it aside and begins to pull the dry earth with his bare hands. At last, he uncovers a handle. Further he digs until he finds a large earthen pot. Excited he lifts the lid. He is stunned! It is full to the rim with gold and silver coins. There are jewels mixed in the newfound treasure. He cannot believe his find. He lifts his hands letting the coins and jewels slip through his fingers back into the pot. Then, as if jolted with electricity, he realizes someone might be watching. He turns to the left and the right, seeing no one; he quickly buries the jar and marks its exact location with a stone. A single thought consumes him. He must have that field! As a day laborer it is impossible for him to take possession of the buried treasure. Where could he possibly get the money to buy the field? With no thought for anything but the treasure, he sells everything he owns. He sells his house, his sheep, his ox, and his plow. He turns to his relatives, friends, and acquaintances and borrows everything they will loan him. The owner is delighted at the price he offers and gladly sells the land. Those who know the young laborer ridicule him. His wife cannot understand the sudden break with sanity. Some even whisper, “He’s been out in the sun too long without a hat!” But he knows… he really knows the truth. He’s been there and seen the treasure. And, now he possesses it. Once others being to se the treasure in his possession, they congratulate him. Some even envy him. All of this simply because he had a passion for his newfound treasure. How many of us have missed the wonder of the treasure of Christ, simply because we were to preoccupied with other things to pursue Him? Someone has said, “The wind of God is always blowing, but you must hoist your sail.” That is accomplished through worship and adoration! Begin today with the reading of Psalm 100.

Falling Into the Arms of God - Part 1

As I wrote in yesterday’s devotional, we would spend the next few mornings exploring the practical ways that we can “sit in our heavenly Father’s lap.” It is what I have come to call “falling into the arms of God.” It is really nothing more than discovering genuine passion in life. Webster defines passion as a “violent, intense, or overwhelming feeling.” The synonyms for it are fervor, ardor, enthusiasm, or zeal. It suggests a warm and excited feeling. It implies energetic and unflagging pursuit of an aim or devotion to a cause. With that in mind let me state the obvious: In order to be at peace in life, we first must become passionate about resting in God. There are two verses of Scripture that provide a basis for this truth: Thus says the LORD: “Stand by the roads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’” (Jeremiah 6:16 ESV). Therefore, while the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us fear lest any of you should seem to have failed to reach it. (Hebrews 4:1 ESV). Brennan Manning writes: “The paltriness of our lives is largely due to our fascination with the trinkets and trophies of the unreal world that is passing away. Sex, drugs, booze, the pursuit of money, pleasure and power, even a little religion, suppress the awareness of the presence of Christ. Religious dabbling, worldly prestige, or temporary unconsciousness cannot conceal the terrifying absence of meaning in the church and in society, nor can fanaticism, cynicism, or indifference.” It is one of the most effective deceptions of the devil. Many people today have been led to believe that unhappiness and unrest are normal and acceptable parameters for their lives. This simply is not the promise of God. I am not suggesting that our lives can, or even should be problem free. However, I do believe that God desires for our lives to be free of anxiety and fear. There are three steps to living a life of passion, a life free from anxiety and fear. We’ll look at the first of these this morning: You must learn to be still. David wrote: “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” (Psalm 46:10 ESV). In the “Guinness Book of World Records,” the world’s record for the machine with the most moving parts numbers over 7,000 different parts! Yet if you were to ask its inventor what all these parts do, his answer would be “Nothing!” Like so many of us today, we’re moving busily, but we’re doing nothing. Our movement is not directed. There must be a discipline of silence at work in our lives. It is this that will draw us near to God. It is within this silence that the voice of God may be heard. The uncluttering of our minds in quietness is the beginning of passion. So, today, will you join me in quietly thinking about Him? Will you seek that quietness as if it were a great treasure? Find just fifteen minutes today, away from phones, pagers, computers, TVs and stereos – then just be quiet and let Him come to you. You may not “feel” any different, but you will begin to “be” different. Discipline your mind to focus on God. Think of His love for you. Slow yourself down long enough to know Him today. Then you will have begun to fall into His arms!

Christ, Our Burden Bearer

Margaret Bishback Powers has written one of the most beautiful and memorable works, “Footprints in the Sand.” It is so familiar, yet so true. One night a man had a dream. He dreamed he was walking along the beach with the LORD. Across the sky flashed scenes from his life. For each scene, he noticed two sets of footprints in the sand: one belonged to him and the other to the LORD. When the last scene of his life flashed before him, he looked back at the footprints in the sand. He noticed that many times along the path of his life there was only one set of footprints. He also noticed that it happened at the very lowest and saddest times in his life. This really bothered him and he questioned the LORD about it. "LORD, you said that once I decided to follow you, you'd walk with me all the way. But I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life, there is only one set of footprints. I don't understand why when I needed you most you would leave me." The LORD replied, "My precious, precious child, I love you and I would never leave you. During your times of trial and suffering, when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you". David must have felt much the same way as the man in this story when he wrote Psalm 145. The key verse reads: The LORD upholds all who are falling and raises up all who are bowed down. (Psalm 145:14 ESV). He found himself pursued like a common criminal for no reason other than the jealousy of King Saul. Living from cave to cave in the hills of the Judean desert, David found strength in the knowledge that God would lift him up and bear his burdens. That is the same promise we have today. David cites eleven reasons why God can be trusted to lift us up: 1. His greatness is unfathomable (145:3); 2. He does mighty acts across many generations (145:4); 3. He is full of glorious splendor and majesty (145:5); 4. He does wonderful and awesome works (145:5-6); 5. He is righteous (145:7); 6. He is gracious, compassionate, patient, and loving (145:8-9); 7. He rules over an everlasting kingdom (145:13); 8. He is the source of all our daily needs (145:15-16); 9. He is righteous and loving in all his dealings (145:17); 10. He remains near to those who call on him (145:18); 11. He hears our cries and saves us (145:19-20). If you are bending under a burden and feel that you are about to fall, turn to God for help. He is ready to lift you up and bear your burden. As you meditate this morning, you might want to ask yourself whether you have a big God or a little God? A little girl listened attentively as her father read the family devotions. She seemed awed by her parents' talk of God's limitless power and mercy. "Daddy," she asked, placing her little hands on his knees, "how big is God." Her father thought for a moment and answered, "Honey, he is always just a little bigger than you need." His call is the same today, as it was thousands of years ago: “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." (Matt. 11:29-30; NIV). How about it, won’t you crawl into His lap and rest today?