Sheltered and shaded!
Verse for Today: Saturday, December 14, 2013
Isaiah 25:4 – (The Lord) has been a refuge for the poor, a refuge for the needy in his distress, a shelter from the storm and a shade from the heat.
During turbulence, turmoil and trouble, we seek a strong refuge, firm shelter and a thick shade. When we encounter physical and emotional difficulties, we seek to confide in a tower of strength to escape the perils that try to prevail over us. But we are grossly frustrated not to find such a tower of strength in this world because all that looks strong have serious limitations and tend to fall apart over time. But God comes in and offers Himself as our strong pillar and tower in all situations and at all times. He is able to take away our spiritual poverty and provide us with manna, living water, protection from the stormsof hell and the continuing heat of this desert world. He provides us with His sustained protection all the time. He provides for our daily physical and emotional needs. When we are in distress because of the attack of the enemy and the luring of the world system, He gives us refuge, comfort and strength. When we suffer from the heat of the daily battles, He protects us under His wings and gives us the coolness of His shade in His presence. He is our protector, provider, defender, keeper and comforter all the way. He lifts us up from our distress, anguish and tears and helps us to live joyfully in spite of our situations. He gives us liberally and abundantly, but it is our privilege to go and ask Him to protect us and meet all our needs. On the one hand, He gives it to us out of His grace and mercy, and on the other hand, we are given the prerogative to make our requests known to Him like children to their Father. When He cares for us, we do not need to be afraid of the storms and the waves in the sea of life.
Dear friend, are you feeling the heat of the battles and the buffeting storms of life which blow against you? Do you find it difficult to bear your bitter situations? Do you feel that stress of your situations seem to tear you apart? Are there times when you do not have a place or a person to go to and take a break? Please know that your Lord is at hand to give you total and absolute refuge and comfort in all your situations. When you feel that no one understands your sincerity and transparency, the Lord is there for you to confide. He knows you in and out and recognizes you for what you are. You are precious to Him and so He will take care of you when you undergo stress, shortages, storms and the parching heat of this world. His Spirit is indwelling in you to remind you of the great and powerful promises He has made for you to fit your requirement in all situations. No storm of this world will touch the Lord and so when you are under His wings, no harm will ever overtake you. If you are in the fiery furnace of situations, it will not burn you because you are under the cool shade of the Almighty. He takes full responsibility to keep you without harm or hurt because you are His precious child. So today let us not allow ourselves to be discouraged by looking at our circumstances, but be encouraged and strengthened by the shelter and shade the Lord has spread over you for your protection, peace and rest.
Psalms 46:1 – God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.
Thought for Today
Those who dwell under the shadow of the Heavenly Shield have no reason to fear their earthly situations.
Prayer for Today
Dear Lord Jesus: Fill me more and more with the vision of the heavenly protection and provisions to dim my view of my earthly cares. Amen!
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