Protection in times of trouble

DAILY BIBLE READING:

2 Kings 20:1–22:2 
Acts 21:18-36 
Psalm 150:1-6 
Proverbs 18:9-10

BIBLE VERSE(S) FOR TODAY:

Proverbs 18:10 (CSB) "The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are protected."

REFLECTIONS ON TODAY'S BIBLE VERSE(S):

Our Verse for Today is a comforting verse. 

Why?

Because we know that life can get tough at times. We can grow anxious or scared.

Maybe someone is telling malicious lies about us and we cannot stop it. 

Maybe we are awaiting test results to find out why our body is misbehaving. 

Maybe our vehicle has broken down and there isn't enough money in the bank to fix it. 

Maybe the place where we are employed is experiencing a slow-down and we are worried about a lay-off.

On and on this list could go. Bad things happen and we often respond as a little child who needs a place to run and hide.

Well, our Verse for Today tells us that even adults have a place to run and hide when things get rough.

Proverbs 18:10 (CSB) "The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are protected."

We are told that when those who are followers of the Lord and obedient to His instructions ("the righteous") need a place to run for protection, they can run into the strong tower that is "the name of the Lord."

We may scratch our heads at this concept. The language sounds comforting except for the fact that we wonder: "What is 'the name of the Lord' and how can I run into it?"

Well, in the Hebrew mind, a person's whole identity was tied up in their name. Parents would give their children names that had a special meaning and then prayed that it would create an identity that their children would grow into. So, a person's name really referred to the whole person.

So, when we are talking about "the name of the Lord," we aren't simply talking about His Name. We are talking about every bit of Him as identified by His Name. When the Psalmist says "the name of the Lord is a strong tower," he's saying that the Lord is a strong tower that we can run to in times of difficult and be safe.

Which begs the question: "How do I experience the protection of the Lord?"

Wouldn't it be wonderful if when things got tough, we could run to the Lord and not experience anything at all undesirable? Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could run to the Lord and He would take away the cancer, or miraculously put thousands of dollars into our bank account, or drop a new vehicle from the skies onto our driveway?

Friend, this isn't Heaven. We aren't home yet. Bad things are going to happen because we live in a broken, Genesis 3 world.

The protection of the Lord may mean that we are protected from the undesirable circumstances. But, it more than likely means that we are in His care and know that even when we are walking through the valley of the shadow of death we won't fear any evil because He is with us! (see Psalm 23:4).

Our protection comes when we pray and then recognize that nothing can happen to us unless our all-powerful, completely loving Heavenly Father allows it. And, if He allows it, no matter how traumatic the experience may be, He has promised that He desires to work it out for our ultimate good (Romans 8:28). which means to make us more like Jesus (Romans 8:29).

So, we run into the "tower" of God's protection when we pray and acknowledge His complete, sovereign care over us. We realize that nothing can happen to us without it coming from His hands. So, we can rest in His care ... even as the storms may rage around us.

It is my understanding that this is the way that we are to understand that the Lord is our strong tower that we run to in time of need.

On wings and spiritual things

TODAY'S BIBLE READING:

Numbers 26:52-28:15
Luke 3:1-22
Psalm 61:1-8
Proverbs 11:16-17

BIBLE VERSE(S) FOR TODAY:

"I will dwell in your tent forever and take refuge under the shelter of your wings." (Psalm 61:4 - CSB)

REFLECTIONS ON TODAY'S BIBLE VERSE(S):

King David was belittled when he was young. When the prophet Samuel showed up to anoint the next king of Israel, David's own father expressed doubt that his shepherd-boy son could possibly be the next king. When David was sent by his father to check on his brothers in the Israelite army, he was ridiculed by his own brothers when he said someone should go out to defeat Goliath.

But, we know what happened to Goliath. We also know how David courageously expanded the Israelite nation and its influence through military exploits. He proved that his trust in his God enabled him to experience victory after valiant victory.

However, in the recesses of his heart, David struggled just like the rest of us do. He had his moments of doubt. He felt the pangs of injustice. He periodically wondered why God seemed like He was a million miles away. (Just read the Psalms. David poured his heart out often and we get to see that he was much like us.)

That being the case, David needed a place of safety - just like us. He needed place where he could feel secure, a place where he could run when things got out of control - just like us.

Well, he found that place. Listen to what he wrote:

"I will dwell in your tent forever and take refuge under the shelter of your wings." (Psalm 61:4 - CSB)

The "tent" was the tabernacle, the place where God met with His people. It was the place of worship. David realized that ultimately this was his place of shelter. He wasn't running to a massive, rock fortress. He was running to a tent because that was the place where His God resided.

But, he didn't just run to the tent. He ran into the tent (metaphorically speaking) and took "refuge under the shelter of (God's) wings." Just like a baby bird finds comfort from the storm under its mother's wings, so David found comfort under the protective care of his God's 'wings.' He realized that nothing could happen to him unless it got past God first. So, in that, he found comfort.

So, friend, when life gets chaotic where do you run? Where is your hiding place? If, to find comfort and make sense of it all, you run to anything but God, then that 'thing' you run to is your 'god.' 

Why not determine to develop your relationship with your Heavenly Father. Spend time listening to Him in His Word and speaking with Him in prayer. Consciously look for Him in the moments of your days. Let that relationship become so real that it becomes a natural reflex to run to Him when life gets tough.

You'll be glad you did.

A woman's eyes and a ferocious dog

This morning, I went out for a run and was reminded that a woman's eyes testify to the fact that we live in a broken world.

 

Now that may sound strange until you think about it. My run this morning took place before sunrise. The only light was from the few oncoming cars and the streetlights. I only saw 3 or 4 other folks out on their walks / runs. (You don't realize how desolate a city can be until you go out on a very early morning run.)

 

One of the few folks I saw was a lady out on her run. Typically, runners acknowledge each other. We're a group of folks with a common love for the sport of running so we often feel a kinship with each other ... unless it's a woman who runs into a man she doesn't know early in the morning on a quiet, dark road.

 

As she approached me (we were headed in opposite directions), I looked briefly at her to wave and give a friendly "Good morning." Yet, she did what most women do in that situation ... she refused to look at me. Why? Because (more than likely) she was concerned that I was a man who she didn't know. She assumed that as a man, I was stronger than her. She was also mindful that people who are strong often abuse that strength to hurt others. So, rather than take the chance, she must have felt it was safer for her to simply pass by me without acknowledging my presence.

 

Simply put, strength can be a very frightening thing when it is wielded by someone who cares more for themselves than serving others. It is especially frightening when strength is enjoyed by someone who finds pleasure in hurting others.

 

It is in this way that we are to understand Israel's concern regarding the nuclear talks with Iran. Iran is a brutish nation. Over and over, their leaders have proclaimed their desire to destroy Israel. They have made it clear that they hate Israel and will not stop until it is annihilated.

 

So, Iran's 'heart' is clear. Given the opportunity and power, no one should be shocked if Iran acts on their threats and tries to bring severe harm to Israel. All they lack is the appropriate strength / power to act.

 

Well, enter the U.S. leadership. Our government officials are in talks about providing Iran with the ability to pursue nuclear "strength" for energy purposes (does ANYONE actually believe that is Iran's purpose?!). 

 

So, a brute nation with a heart bent on hurting Israel is in talks with America about developing their strength. Can anyone blame Israel for being concerned? Can anyone blame Israel for doing whatever it can to find out what is going on (including spying) especially since they were not invited to be a part of the 'negotiations?'

 

Oh, one more thing about the female runner this morning ... she had a leash on her right hand and left hand. At the end of each leash were some dogs that looked like they were prepared to tear into anyone who threatened the welfare of their master. If someone sought to harm her, all she would have to say is, "Sic 'em."


With Iran's sadistic heart set on genocide and with her potential to become stronger, I find myself wishing that Israel would "sic 'em."