Shelter

                                                                                                                               

You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in your word.  Psalm 119:114

It is a good feeling to be sitting safe and dry in our caravan this morning, with thunderstorms growling all around us and with, (so far), gentle rain falling on the roof.  We feel snug and protected, but we do hope that it will dry in the next hour so we can hook the van to the car for our 10 am departure.

When storms of life roll into our comfort zone we need a place where we can feel safe and snug; a place to retreat to in the fiercest gale.  Sometimes the lightning of life's storm comes with a mighty crack and makes us cringe as it did just now, bringing with it stinging hail.  We surely need protection and we need to know where to go for shelter.

That place is Jesus.  He wants to be our hiding place, a refuge in our personal storms, our comfort and shelter no matter what life throws at us.  We can come confidently to him because he has invited us.  He has said 'Come to me ALL who labour and are heavy with burdens', (Matthew 11:28), and he has promised, 'Call to me and I WILL answer you' (Jeremiah 33:3) and, 'I will NEVER leave you nor forsake you' (Hebrews 13:5), and again, 'As your days, so SHALL your strength be' (Deauteronomy 33:25).

Your protection is there for every storm of life if you will just come to him.  But you must come and you must call.  He will not fail you.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus I believe that you came and died in my place that I might have an open door to God.  I come now for shelter in my storm and I thank you that you are with me. Amen

Photo by Sandy Simmons

Thankful?

Giving thanks always for all things..... Ephesians 5:20

It has recently come to my attention (twice) in the past couple of weeks that I have somehow missed this verse in my theology. Oh dear how inconvenient!  When people have spoken about giving thanks for all things I have confidently pointed out that that is not what 1 Thessalonians 5:18 teaches, but rather that we are to give thanks IN everything.  There is a bit of a difference there.  It's so much easier to give thanks in everything than for everything.

I have often thought of Paul and Silas singing praises to God while they were in prison chains, giving thanks in everything.  However when I revisit that I can see that they were giving thanks for their circumstances because they counted it a privilege to suffer for their faith.

But what of difficulties that befall us; things like health issues, financial difficulties, family crises?  If I give thanks FOR those things, isn't it as though I am attributing these difficulties as coming from God?  That doesn't seem right does it?  Though God is not the author of such things he does allow them to come to us through his filter of love and in a desire to see growth in us.  In Romans 5:3-4 Paul writes, "but we glory in tribulations knowing that tribulation produces perseverance and perseverance character; and character hope.... "

What is your challenge today that you need to give God thanks for?  As you do it, remember also the truth that God is able to make "all things work for good for those who love him and are called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28.  He's doing a good work in us during those hard times when we yield to a spirit of thankfulness because we are only able to do that if we are trusting and relying on him and his strength.

Prayer:  Father, help me to thank you in the difficulties as well as when things are going well. I choose to trust that you are working these circumstances for my growth.  Amen