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.

How to relax during the stresses of life

TODAY'S BIBLE READING:

Numbers 19:1-20:29
Luke 1:1-25
Psalm 56:1-13
Proverbs 11:8

BIBLE VERSE(S) FOR TODAY:

Psalm 56:3 "But when I am afraid, I will put my trust in you."

REFLECTIONS ON TODAY'S BIBLE VERSE(S):

When my children were much younger, they seemed to not have a care in the world. I could have sweaty palms as I drove down the interstate in a blinding storm ... and they were in the backseat giggling. I could stress as I looked at the checkbook realizing that there wasn't enough money to pay a utility bill ... and they were chasing each other through the house.

That's the nature of children. They trust. And because they trust, they just don't worry.

Have you noticed as you read through the Gospels that Jesus periodically took a child up into his arms (Mark 9:36-37) and encouraged his follows to be like that child? He wants us to trust Him. When we trust Him, we become like a child who is much more carefree than we, adults, typically tend to be.

That's the beautiful truth we see in this morning's verse for today.

"But when I am afraid, I will put my trust in you." (Psalm 56:3).

So, be an adult and do what you should in each circumstance. If the car is making a strange noise, be responsible and get it looked at. If you are struggling to make ends meet, look for a second job. If you're driving through a blinding storm, consider taking the next exit to safety.

But, through it all, learn to trust Jesus. The more you trust Him, just like a child trusts their parent, the more you will be able to rest in your spirit.

"Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him,

How I've proved Him o'r and o'r.

Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus,

Oh for grace to trust Him more."

Trusting is resting

TODAY'S BIBLE READING:

Leviticus 27:14 - Numbers 1:54
Mark 11:1-25
Psalm 46:1-11
Proverbs 10:23

BIBLE VERSE(S) FOR TODAY:

Psalm 46:1-3 "God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea. Let the oceans roar and foam. Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge!"

REFLECTIONS ON TODAY'S BIBLE VERSE(S):

Virtually every one of us deals with anxiety at one time or another. Life is tough. Illnesses come. Relationships go south. There's not enough money at the end of the month. It's only natural (human) to worry and fret.

Yet, our verse for today calls us to trust. It calls us to rest. It reminds us that God is our fortress into which we can run in times of trouble and be safe.

My family lived in Florida a few years ago and we would frequently visit St. Augustine. In that city, there is a fort called the Castillo de San Marcos. The walls are incredibly thick. While there is an open area in the middle, it is surrounded on all sides by large rooms that are built out of coquina which, after they were bonded together, has the appearance and feel of thick concrete. If a horrible lightning storm or even a tornado was to converge on that part of town, I have no doubt at all that we could run into that fort and be completely safe. Everything around us could be destroyed but that fort is built so soundly that I'm convinced it could withstand most of what nature could through at it.

The Psalmist would have us know that God is better than that fort. When the storms of life have surrounded us, we can find protection in our God.

Now, what does that mean? Does it mean that we will never be harmed? Nope.

If we read Hebrews 11:35-40 and observe the experience of those who proved faithful to the Lord, we realize that many of them experienced horrible tragedies. 

So, what is the comfort to be found in Psalm 46:1-3?

Simply that our faith allows us to rest in a God that we love and trust. We know that regardless of what is happening around us that our God loves us more than we could ever imagine. We rest in the fact that whatever is taking place had to come from His hands (He either willed it or allowed it). We also take comfort in the fact that He has promised to work everything (good AND bad) out for our ultimate good - to make us more like Jesus.

If we are convinced of these truths, then we can find comfort in our God even as the storm rages. While others around us may be filled with terror, we can sleep peacefully because we are trusting in our wonderful God.

Mark 4:37-38 "But soon a fierce storm came up. High waves were breaking into the boat, and it began to fill with water. Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat with his head on a cushion. The disciples woke him up, shouting, 'Teacher, don’t you care that we’re going to drown?'"

Are you anxious about something? Then ask God to give you the faith to trust in Him. How do you know that you are trusting? Simply ask yourself the question: "Regardless of what is going on around me, am I resting?"

Why we MUST pray "with thanksgiving" if we are anxious

Have you ever been anxious? Of course you have. We've all been there.

Maybe it occurs when you pay bills at the kitchen table with the knowledge that there simply isn't enough money.

Maybe it happened when you were sitting in a waiting room as a loved one was undergoing surgery down the hall.

Maybe you're a student and it happens as a deadline nears or you are sitting at a desk waiting to take a major test.

The possibilities are endless. Yet, we all agree that anxiety is a normal, sometimes frequent, response to life.

Well, in my time with the Lord this morning, I came across a familiar verse but I had a 'eureka' moment reading it. All of a sudden, I got it! It made perfect sense!

Let me share the verse and then some comments on how God has told us to get rid of anxiety.

Philippians 4:6-7

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

So, in these two verses, we see that in order to combat anxiety, we are told to pray. We need to unload our burdens and talk to God about them. 

But, there are two words that I have often overlooked that are essential to dealing with anxiety. It is the words: "with thanksgiving."

You see, God is speaking to people who are anxious. They are worried. (Why else would he tell them not to be anxious?)

So, he is telling anxious people to pray "with thanksgiving." 

Now, that's powerful! Why? Because when I'm worried, I rarely ever thank God in my prayers. My prayers typically fall into two categories: 1) "God why!?" and 2) "God, get me out of this mess!"

If you think about the attitude of thanksgiving, it doesn't come natural at all. But, it is the way out of anxiety.

For instance, let's say that I have just been diagnosed with a terrible illness. I can get anxious (I probably would!) and remain filled with anxiety (this response is perfectly normal - most people do it).

However, I could intentionally apply the principle of Philippians 4:6-7 and spend time talking to God. In those prayers, I could express my thanksgiving to God. 

I might exercise faith and thank God for what He is doing in the illness by providing me with incentive to depend up Him.

I could thank Him for who I may be able to encourage along the way.

I could thank Him for promising to work the illness out for my ultimate good and His glory.

I could thank Him that even if I don't beat the illness that Heaven awaits me.

The possibilities to express my thanks are endless.

While being thankful for the bad stuff doesn't come natural, it is pleasing to God because it is an expression of faith in Him. But, it also helps us to put our problems into perspective. When we can thank God for anything and everything that comes our way, anxiety will have no place to hide in our minds and hearts. In fact, gratitude to God will chase it away. 

Why not comply with Philippians 4:6-7 the next time the waters get a little rough.