Faithful Wings

This week as I struggled with issues I’m facing, I was comforted by the great care my heavenly Father provided.  I found comfort in this verse and the loving picture it evoked in my mind.  I pray that this promise from God will encourage you today.
Blessings,   
Linda

Psalm 91:4
“He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.”

Promise:   God promises shelter, refuge and protection through His faithfulness.

     I love the word picture that this verse gives us of our Heavenly Father. He is like the mother goose or eagle covering and protecting her young within the folds of her wings. This protective covering makes us feel loved and protected from a world that seeks to harm us.   However, the promise states that we get this feeling of love and protection from and through God’s faithfulness. Knowing that my Heavenly Father is always with me, ever true and unchanging in his love for me provides me with an invincible shield from the world’s attacks. Relying upon God is our surest defense and one that will never fail us. We are reminded in Nahum 1:7 “The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him,” Do you rely upon God’s faithful character when you are troubled? Do you seek refuge in Him?   Begin right now to rely on God’s faithfulness to give you the encouragement and the hope you need to face the challenges of this day and the next.

Lessons and Truths:

1. God is all powerful and can and does protect me.
2. God is faithful.
3. I can depend upon God’s faithfulness.
4. God’s faithfulness gives me a sure defense 24/7.

Prayer: Lord, you alone are faithful every hour and minute of the day. You are merciful and loving, wanting the very best for me. Thank you for your protection and faithfulness towards me. Help me to live each day depending upon your faithful character and boldly standing to meet the challenges in my life knowing you are always with me. May others see your faithfulness in my life. Amen.

What is my response to God’s promise?

Where have I experienced God’s faithfulness in my life?
Do I have a situation where I need to seek God’s refuge and protective faithfulness today?

Promise Confirmation: Deuteronomy 33:26-27a, 2 Samuel 22:2-3, 31-34, Psalm 31:19-20, 57:2-3, 61:4 and 100:5, Lamentations 3:21-23, 2 Timothy 2:13

Old Faithful erupts faithfully each day. A earthly picture of God’s faithfulness to us no matter what.

Eternally Mine

Matthew 24:35

“Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.”

Promise: God promises that His Words are eternal and more certain than the existence of the universe.

      What do you know for certain? We know the sun will come up tomorrow, we have to pay taxes and death will someday come to all of us. These are all certainties in our lives that we can count on no matter what. Although we joke about these certainties, we know them to be real. I would challenge you to think of godly assurances that we have through faith in Jesus. We know that God and His Word are eternal. God’s words have been working since creation when God spoke the universe into existence.  His words have the power to create, mold, sustain, guide and keep us until the end of time. God does not change and there is not a shadow of doubt in Him. We can depend upon God and His Word to be consistent in all situations.   We are assured that even when all things cease to exist in heaven and earth, God’s Words will still remain. Open your Bible today and take a fresh look at God’s Words.  They have the power to change your life just as they changed the universe from nothingness into being.  There is power in the Words of God.

Lessons and Truths:
1. God is eternal.
2. God is immutable, the same yesterday, today and forever.
3. Heaven and earth are temporary places created by God.
4. God’s Words will remain forever.

Prayer:   Lord, you are eternal and your words are powerful beyond any measure in heaven or on earth. I can depend upon your Word as you do not change your mind and what you say and do is immutable. Help me to stand firmly rooted in your Word and to treat it with reverence. Cause me to hunger after your Word and to hide it in my heart. Amen.

What is my response to God’s promise?

What is my attitude towards God’s Word, the Bible?

When and where am I going to study God’s Word?

Promise Confirmation: Psalm 102:25-27, Psalm 119:89, 160, Isaiah 65:17-19, John 1:1, Hebrews 4:12-13, Revelation 21:1-4

      I pray that you are challenged by this promise and will pursue a serious study of God’s Words.  Here are a couple of suggestions:  contact your local evangelical church and ask about possible Bible studies they have, go on the web and look up classes for Bible Study Fellowship (www.BSF.org) as they have classes throughout the world or look up classes for Community Bible Study (www.CBS.org).  Both of these organizations have Bible based studies that will help you to learn about God and His Word.

Just as God’s Words changed the universe, He can change us through the study of His Word.  Blessings as you study,
Linda

Old Faithful erupting in Yellowstone National Park. A reminder of God’s faithfulness to His creation.

Are you a well-watered garden?

God's garden at Crater Lake, Oregon.

Isaiah 58:11   “The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame.  You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.”   (NIV)

Promise:  God will always guide, satisfy, strengthen and care for me.

      When I first encountered this verse, I was studying the book of Isaiah in a Community Bible Study group.  It was our verse to memorize for the week.  As I pondered the words, I realized the depth of God’s love and care for me.  He sees me as a young growing plant in his garden of life.  He is the eternal gardener who cultivates, nourishes, waters and supports all the plants in His garden.  Since I identify with this picture, being one who loves to garden and care for my plants, I realized that only God is the perfect gardener.  I stumble, fail and definitely fall short in the caring, watering and nurturing of myself and others.  I need to remember that God’s garden of life is a protected place where I will always be cared for, comforted, strengthened and guided along the pathways of life.  I need to trust God to provide and guide so I will flourish in His garden.  Being in God’s garden will give what the Psalmist calls the well-watered look.  Are you well-watered?  Do you read the Bible, pray, listen to Christian music, talk with Christian friends or read Christian literature?   We need to trust God and claim this verse, holding steadfastly to the truth of God’s gardening care.

Lessons and Truths:
1.   God is my guide in life.
2.   God is my provider.
3.   God is my source of strength.
4.   God cares for me and wants the best for me.
5.   God is eternal.

Prayer:  Lord, you promise to care, guide, satisfy and strengthen me.  Show me today each of these in a new way.  Help me to realize that you are with me 24/7 and that I can always depend on you.  Cause me to stand steadfastly on your Word and boldly speak to others about you.  Amen.

What is my response to God’s promise?

Am I trusting God to provide and guide me or am I trying to do things myself using my own power and strength?

What evidence do I see in my life of God’s care, satisfaction and guidance?  Thank Him today.

Promise Confirmation:  Psalm 25:9 and 48:14, Isaiah 40:31, 1 Corinthians 10:13, Philippians 4:13 and  4:19, 1 Peter 5:7

Blessings today as you enjoy and delight in being in God’s garden of care and love.
Linda

Grand Tetons in Jackson, Wyoming

Flowers alongside the road. God cares for all in His creation. Best of all He cares for you and me.