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Listen while you read: "I Will Sing The Wondrous Story"1 (Lyrics) |
Proverbs 18:10 – The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. (NIV)
Psalm 61:1-3 – Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer. From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe. (NIV)
Two of my dogs are having a difficult time adjusting to our new home on the prairie, because they are terrified of thunder and lightning, something that we very seldom experienced in the mountains.
During recent storms, they paced, panted, shook, were ill, and tried to hide anywhere they could. No amount of hugging them or speaking quietly to them helped. Finally, I went to the basement, dragged out two solid-sided kennels, and hauled them upstairs, placing them in quiet, dark places.
Now, when a storm strikes, they both escape to these doggie caves where they can feel safe from the terrors surrounding them.
Dogs are not the only creatures that struggle with feelings of fear and even terror from time to time. I do, too, and, I expect, so do you. Our fear can stem from any number of things, both real or imagined. Fear produces very undesirable side effects, physically, mentally, and even spiritually. Like the dogs, however, now with the safety of their kennels to run to, we, too, have a strong tower to escape to where we can find refuge, strength, comfort, and peace.
God's goodness, grace, and mercy are always available to us, as our standing in Christ assures us of His favour. His justice protects us amidst unjust accusations. His faithfulness never fails us in regard to supplying our needs. His truth stands firm as a shield around us when the evil one seeks to burden us with false guilt and past errors. His peace is always available, no matter how afraid we may feel, if only we will take our eyes off our terrors and turn them upon Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly more than we could ever hope or dream, even more than what our highest prayers seek.
Therefore, when terror strikes our hearts, as only terror can, reasonably or unreasonably, let us choose to turn our eyes away from our fear and look up to the One Who is the Rock that is higher than ourselves. By so doing, terror is turned into triumph, fear into courage, despair into hope, and darkness into light — for in Him shall we find our refuge and our strength.
Prayer: Lord God, thank You that You are as a strong tower, a hiding place of safety amidst any and all terrors that may assail us. Remind us of this when we need You most, Lord, that our terrors may be turned into triumphs. In Christ's name, we pray. Amen.
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Enjoyed your message today.
Morning Lynne, great analogy. Thanks for your inspiration.
Thank you, Lynne. “Praise God from Whom all blessings flow!”
Thanks so much for your comforting and inspiring post, Lynne! My dad’s little dog is afraid of thunder too so I will try your idea with him. God bless!
Good morning, Lynne,
Thank you for this. Isn’t that so God to give you the idea of the dog caves to help your dogs?? God is good.
God bless.
Good morning, Lynne,
Yes, you are right, during all the storms in our lives, God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in times of trouble.
May we all experience His peace as we worship today,
Blessings.
Hi Lynne:
I just looked up Tawatinaw on Google. My daughter lives in Yellowknife. She and her family were visiting in Ontario when the order was given to evacuate due to the wildfires. They will be living with me starting Monday for the foreseeable future.
Thank you for reminding me that the Lord is our strong tower and refuge, a place where we can run to in times of uncertainty and fear.
Blessings.
Hello Lynne. I am so grateful for your writings. I seem to connect to them for so many reasons.
I was just in Prince Rupert yesterday and Haida Gwaii last week. I am always reminded of our Lord as creator and author of this earth when here.
Psalm 124 always on my mind.
I hope you are well, and again, I am grateful for your God given gift and that you share it with us.
Bless you and Shalom.
Greetings Lynne and many thanks for your devotional today. While reading it I couldn’t help thinking how I feel just like your little doggies when I hear that thunder and see lightening flashing through the window. This season has been exceptionally scary to see lightning as there has been minimal rainfall and with everything so dry many fires have been started by the lightning. One thing for sure, faith in our Lord gives us the reassurance and calmness we need to get through frightening happenings. He truly is our “strong tower” to help us through whatever upsets us. Blessings for your special and encouraging writings.
Thank you, Lynne! Hope the doggies adjust to being on our wide-open prairie! Your solution was great, and a good application to our lives.
He’s my “Hiding place”! How safe is that?
Thanks Lynne, reminded me of Corrie ten Boom’s story! Bless you.
Thank you, Lynne. This sentence says it all: His peace is always available, no matter how afraid we may feel, if only we will take our eyes off our terrors and turn them upon Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly more than we could ever hope or dream, even more than what our highest prayers seek.
Dear Lynne,
What an encouraging message! So well expressed, delivering this Word of truth.
I hope that for you, (and the rest of your animal family), the transition goes well. And the Lord is with you through it.
Blessings.
Keep your eyes on Jesus – our Hope and Strength.
Thank you, Lynne, for sharing this encouraging devotional with us. My sweet Sunny hides underneath my tall Chest of drawers. Kennels remind her of her early years locked in doggy jail. If it’s broad daylight, she cuddles up to me on the sofa, but let the rain fall and thunder roar, she’s under the chest of drawers or maybe under the bed, neither one the safest place to be. Blessings.