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This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says: “Only in returning to me and resting in me will you be saved. In quietness and confidence is your strength. But you would have none of it. Isaiah 30:15
We live in a world of visual and audio noise. Screen time has become a buzz word for the noise we’ve created through technology and life in general. It seems as though our lives are made up of circles. Family circles, workplace circles, social circles, political circles and you can probably think of a few more.
Imagine all of those circles intersecting in such a way that, while remaining separate, they intersect in the middle, and that middle…is YOU!
Each circle has it’s own demands, some more important than others, some louder than others. The volume of each circle doesn’t necessarily correspond to it’s level of importance. As I write this I envision a picture of me pulling my hair out and having eyeballs bulging from my face!
The world tells you to advance and tackle each situation. God tells you to step back. The world tells you the more active you are the more you’ll accomplish. God tells us in Psalm 46 to be still. In that stillness we can find confidence because we realize our strength comes from God, not from tackling yet another challenge.
Take time away from the screen or whatever circle is calling you. Build confidence in your faith in God working through you. He wants to see you succeed and longs to have you take refuge in him so he can work more completely through you.
May he reign under God’s protection forever. May your unfailing love and faithfulness watch over him. Psalms 61:7
Have you ever noticed how people slow down when a police officer is behind them? Maybe it’s just me. I don’t drive fast, at most I’m 4-5 MPH over the limit. But when a police car is behind me I tend to drive at order a couple MPH below the limit!
Why is that? Because we are being watched! You may see that at the workplace as well. The old adage “When the cats away the mice will play” has real meaning when the manager/boss steps out or leaves for the day.
In Psalms 61:7, King David continues his prayer to God, asking him to protect David in his daily activities, whether in the palace, on the battlefield or in his personal time.
He acknowledges that God watches over him, “…May your unfailing love and faithfulness watch over him”, but asks that the watching is covered in love and faithfulness.
God is not some angry cop hoping we step out of line so he can ticket us. He’s not a micro-managing boss that doesn’t trust us and is always worried about the bottom line.
He’s a loving father that has promised to love us unconditionally. He’s a loving father that keeps his word. He’s a loving father that always has our best in mind.
May you feel his love today in whatever you face. May you be reminded of his faithfulness in the past as you look into an uncertain future!
Let me live forever in your sanctuary, safe beneath the shelter of your wings! Psalms 61:4
It was one of the worst rainstorms I had ever driven through. It soon became impossible to see the lines on the interstate as I crept along at 30 MPH. Soon I came to an overpass and thought I would take shelter there, but there was no room as other cars had done the same. I continued on for three more overpasses before I found a spot to take shelter and wait for the storm to let up. Underneath that overpass I was able to rest my body and soul as the storm raged around me.
We aren’t sure what situation David found himself in when he wrote Psalm 61, but we can tell he was in anguish and, perhaps, great danger. The Hebrew word for the phrase ‘Let me dwell’ infers a place where we can step out of the turmoil of the world to find shelter and safety, a sanctuary, if you will, where the enemy can’t reach us.
Physically speaking, we may not be able to step away from the storms in life. We will get thrown under the bus by those who have higher expectations than we can deliver. We’ll be maligned by those who want to bind us with ropes of legalism. We’ll move on in life without being appreciated.
Relationships will dissappoint. Finances will fail. Our bodies will grow old and frail, But Jesus offers us a shelter we can take with us through every storm we face. We can feel safe beneath the protection of his wings.
But even if he doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up. Daniel 3:18
In a world where it’s becoming increasingly dangerous to have an opinion, it’s easy to shy away from stating your beliefs.
I have to admit I’ve hesitated to take a stand on volatile social issues even though I have strong convictions regarding them. It’s easy to rationalize my lack of response as ‘trying to be graceful’ or ‘waiting until we were in private for a conversation’ or convincing myself I wasn’t qualified to respond because I may do more harm than good to God.
Imagine what it must have been like for Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego to refuse to bow to the king’s statue. They were in a foreign land. They were looked down on by many. They were refugees, aliens in a foreign land. And here they were refusing to follow the commands of the king. Three men of minority status standing when everyone else was kneeling.
Yet in the face of attack, in the face of death they refused to compromise their standards. They didn’t know if God would deliver them physically, but physical protection wasn’t as important to them as being true to God.
How strong is your faith? What are you willing to risk for God? The closer we get to Jesus’ return the more we will be called to stand confidently for what we know is true, even in the face of death.
Lead me the right path, O Lord, or my enemies will conquer me. Make your way plain for me to follow. Psalms 5:8
Have you ever been hiking through a forest and lost sight of the trail? Some trails are well marked or even paved. Sometimes though, trails can be hard to follow. Other trails made by animals or people who have taken it upon themselves to find different way, can make your progress confusing, or even dangerous!
We live in a time when many trails cross our paths making it hard to discern which way to go. How many times have you thought (or even said) ‘if only God would just send me a text message or an email so I’d know what to do?’ It seems like around every corner there is a fork in the road.
“Do I choose this relationship or move away from it?”
“Do I take this job, or look for something different?”
“What is the best way for me to eat the way I know I should?”
“I’m facing a transition in life transition.What are next steps?”
When the path becomes difficult to discern, Jesus gives us three steps to help us keep on the path of safety and success.
First, remember that the enemy wants to keep you off course, so ASK the father for direction.
Secondly, don’t be mislead by the path that may seem the most traveled. SEEK for signs of the proper way through prayer, seeking advice from trusted, Godly friends, and reading God’s word.
Lastly, Move forward! FINDing the way is a process. Detours make take us longer to get to our destination, but we may learn valuable lessons along the way.
Mike Fisk & Built with Grace 