Our Rock

COVID-19 has captured our attention, changed our lives and will affect us forever. The devotion below appeared in God is My Spinach in 2012. The foundations of our society have been shaken. There is reason to be concerned. Having a strong faith is an advantage

Our Rock

“There is no one holy like the LORD;
there is no one besides you;
there is no Rock like our God.”

(1 Samuel 2 vs. 2)

            Growing up in New England we often fished in streams and frequently crossed them by stepping from rock to rock. When we stepped on a loose one or slipped from one we got cold and wet. The analogy I am getting at is we chose the wrong rock! That is not an option with God.

            The Lord is the rock of our life; our foundation, and always with us. There are times when we forget that simple truth; when we feel lonely; when we will not let Him in to help. During those times we can feel cold and lonely. (Hopefully not wet!)

            Prayer and devotionals will help that situation. If you are reading this today you are probably sitting squarely on the rock.

Thought for Today: During hard and scary times, we need our foundation; our rock!

Prayer for Today: Heavenly Father, today we recognize you and give thanks for being our rock and foundation. We pray for ourselves, our families and our world.

COVID-19

Tonight, I want to be current. The news this week is one of trauma and fear. Yes, the big bad COVID-19 is a worldwide concern. Visits to my devotional blog today are more than four times normal and from 160 countries. People in the world are searching. The twenty-third Psalm seems to be the correct reading. Let’s think it through.

23^rd Psalm

“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.

He makes me lie down in green pastures,

he leads me beside still waters..."

 (Psalms 23:1-2).        

            The first two lines above, lead us to tranquility. Faith will take care of your wants and lead us to that inner peace you desire and to the restful place beside still waters. My message last week was to find a still place. We need that right now!

"He refreshes and restores my life;

He leads in the paths of righteousness for His namesake"

(Psalm23:3)

When things in our life need rebuilding; fear and concern are an issue. We need spirituality and faith to maintain peace.

"Yes, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil; for You are with me;

Your rod and Your staff to comfort me."

(Psalm 23:4)

            On our planet this week, we seem to be walking through the valley and in the shadow. No one knows what to expect. Fear may be too strong but most are concerned; certainly, elders are at high risk. We need comfort. The Psalmist points out that the Lord is with us, he will guide and support us.

As Christians have wonderful tools to work with the more we let God lead, the more we will be at peace.

Thought for Today: We have a virus epidemic expanding in our world. That is cause for concern. When concerned, remember you are not alone. The Lord is with you.

Prayer for Today: Heavenly Father, COVID-19 has us all concerned. All the world’s people are reacting with fear and anxiety. We pray for peace and calm. We pray that you will carry us through.

Amen

A Still PLace

00301 A Still Place

"Be still and acknowledge that I am God"

 (Psalm 46:10)

           

The world is a busy place. Americans are overbooked; families are tied up every day with career and children’s activities; empty-nesters seem to have filled the time with commitments; often retirees often do not know how they ever had time to work! That leads to a lot of stress, tension and often family failures. That’s correct; the family that plays too much together just may not have enough quality time to survive. They do not have time to call for help.

           

In his book Bread for the Table, Henry Nouwen says it this way, “These are words to take with us in our busy lives. We may think about stillness in contrast to our noisy world. But perhaps we can go further and keep an inner stillness even while we carry on … It is important to keep a still place in the "marketplace". This still place is where God can dwell and speak to us. …with that stillness God can be our gentle guide in everything we think and do.”

Do you have a still place? How do you keep your sanity?

Thought for Today: The many varied conditions in our world are causing many of our friends and neighbors to go through unplanned changes in their lives. Let us pray that God will be a presence in their lives as they pursue the opportunities presented to them through these changes.

Prayer for Today: Heavenly Father, the world around us is confusing, sometimes cruel and always difficult to understand. Please allow us time to step aside from our busyness and dwell upon "your will" rather than "our wants and needs". Let us find the peace or stillness to allow "thy will to be done on earth as it is in heaven."