Hey Friend,
When my kids were little, I don't know how many times I shouted to them, "Walk, don't run!!" At the pool, in the house, through the mall, in church, at the airport, any place a civilized person would walk rather than run like a herd of wild horses, I could be heard shouting.
One place where I have encouraged my kids to run ( and where I run to ), is into the arms of our loving Heavenly Father. When the weight of the world is on your shoulders and you are worn and weary; when the battle rages all around you ( be it physical, mental, emotional or spiritual ), where do you run to?
God lovingly beckons us to run to him. Why? Because God is an expert in fighting battles. My battle strategy, left to my own strength, resembles something akin to a blindfolded child swinging a stick at a pinata. Though I am working, and whacking and thrashing with all my might, I can't seem to land a single blow.
The Lord knows our struggles better than we do. That's why he says, "I will fight for you, you need only to be still." (Exodus 14:14)
Nothing compares to God's strength and nothing compares to His peaceful, calming embrace. Perhaps that is why He is referred to as our refuge so many times in the Bible.
I jokingly call my daughter, Nicole, "Polly Pinterest" because, unlike her mother, she actually does the crafts and ideas that she pins on Pinterest. She made me a beautiful piece of artwork with scripture in block letters set against a blue-purple palette that reads: "Under His wings you will find refuge." (Psalm 91:4). I have it hanging beside my bed. Actually if you back up a few verses it gives the picture more depth...
I will say of the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust. He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge." (Psalm 91:2-4)
Ahhh...can you feel the safety and comfort of his wings? When life overwhelms me, I picture myself tucked, protected, in my place of refuge.
Perhaps life is treating you well. Even on good days we need to get away from the world and "hide in the shadow of His wings." (Psalm 17:8)
The Bible tells us, however, that in this world we will have trouble. So, when life presses in on you and the storm rages around you; when the battle gets to be too much, there is one sure place you can turn.
Meditate on these scriptures and let the sincerity of God's truth sink in:
"The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed." (Psalm 9:9)
"How priceless is your unfailing love, Both high and low among men find
refuge in the shadow of your wings." (Psalm 36:7)
"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble." (Psalm 46:1)
I keep an "Emergency Kit" of scriptures - scriptures that really speak to me especially in times of trouble and oppression. You can be sure that many of the psalmist's words are among them. I read them and I run...I mean RUN into the arms of the Father and I know that there, and only there, I will be safe in the shadow of His wings.
Love,
Bev
