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Listen while you read: "Dear Lord And Father Of Mankind"1 (Lyrics) |
Exodus 33:22 – As my glorious presence passes by, I will hide you in the crevice of the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by. (NLT)
She had been abused and needed a safe place.
Johnnie was in a situation of her own making. For thirteen years, she had endured an abusive marriage — one she had entered merely to be on her own and make her own life. Jim had seemed like a good guy when she had dated him, but his true identity revealed itself shortly after she said "I do." Abusive words, demeaning remarks, bruises — they all became the norm. Johnnie tried to fend them off, but she had to admit that they were taking their toll on her self-esteem.
Eventually, Johnnie decided that she'd had enough. When the opportunity came for her to move out, she took it, but she needed a safe place to go to. She didn't turn to a home for abused women but rather to her parents — at least until she could make other arrangements. Her parents' home provided a safe place, and in time, she found a husband who treated her as she deserved.
Moses needed a safe place, too. While he was on the mountain receiving the ten commandments from God, the people below were partying as if they had no God to whom they were accountable. When God told Moses to leave the mountain and take the people with him — but that He wouldn't be tagging along — it was more than Moses could stand. God decided to give them another chance, but Moses needed reassurance. So, God placed him in a crevice and let him glance at His presence as He passed by.
Life is tough and filled with many experiences that I'd rather not repeat. Wallowing in self-pity or in the memory of an event only keeps me smelling the toxic nature of what I have experienced. A better course is asking God to put me in His safe place.
When God hides me in His safe place, He reassures me of His presence. If separation has taken place, it's because I left Him — not because He left me. He promises never to abandon His children. In God's safe place, I'm also reminded of who He is and who I'm not. He is the all-powerful Creator who is qualified to lead me through any and every circumstance, protecting me in the process.
Moses had nothing to fear; nor do I — and neither do you. When life gets tough, ask God to put you in His safe place where you can find grace, reassurance, and peace.
Prayer: Father, thank You for the safe place that You provide when life is more than we can handle. Amen.
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Good one, thanks Martin.
Thank you, Martin, for this comforting message.
Thank you for your email devotional. Safety in the storms of life.
Thank you for sharing this touching and instructive devotional with us. Blessings.
Thanks, Martin, for pointing out this scripture which I hadn’t thought of before. Blessings on your writing today.
Hi Martin,
Thank you so much for caring and sharing. God bless you our brother.
Hi Martin,
Thank you for reminding me of God’s safe place for me this morning.
Blessings.
Hello Martin,
Thanks for writing another very mindful devotional. God truly gives us a safe place of great comfort and peace and He is always there for our calls.
Blessings for your special writings,
(B.C.)
Thank you so much for today’s devotion. I could see myself in Johnnies’ place as I too lived with an abusive husband for several years before I found a way out. It is sometimes very difficult to go back in memory, but it is also good to be reminded that God will never leave us or cause us harm. Thanks again and blessings.
Martin, your words today were absolutely beautiful and so encouraging. Especially your application paragraph. So true, that God is qualified to lead us through every circumstance and protect us in the process. As you say, it is us who leave Him, not the other way around. So poignant! Thank you so much for writing this devotional and sharing it with us. I hope you write many more for us to read. God bless you.
Good morning Martin. I so needed your message today. I am sitting here at my computer with tears running down my face. I am retired and had a kidney transplant almost two years ago. I haven’t felt this well in years. As a result, I want to do everything that comes my way. I realize that I have taken on too much and am feeling overwhelmed. Right now, I so need God’s safe place.
God’s blessings.
Dear Martin Wiles,
“God decided to give them another chance, but Moses needed reassurance. So, God placed him in a crevice and let him glance at His presence as He passed by.”
Thank you for words of God’s safe place and of assurance of God’s presence.
And thanks for the prayer.
Keep writing.