In the light of the recent tragedies in Boston and Texas this week, I think it was a very appropriate verse that He gave me. If we see the headlines or listen to the news, it is filled with violence, pain, suffering, and unimaginable wickedness. There is no peace, no comfort, or no rest!
The world cannot offer you peace because they don't possess it! They have never been able to offer any peace because they do not know the Author of Peace. They can't offer what they do not have. But, Jesus can give peace!
He said, "Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid..." We do not have to be afraid of the terror by night nor the arrow that flieth by day. There is not one thing that can happen to us unless God allows it. What a comforting thought!
One of my favorite passages that I turn to when things are unsettled is Psalm 91: 1-7.
.
1. He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
2. I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.
3. Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.
4. He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.
5. Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;
6. Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.
7. A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.
Just because we have God's protection does not mean that difficult times and tragedies won't touch our lives. We all face things that are hard to go through, but we do not need to be afraid. We can face life with confidence knowing that as a child of God, we rest under the shelter of His wings. We are sheltered from the storms of life when we trust in our Heavenly Father.
Some may argue, but where was God when all the tragedies were happening? Didn't He see what the bombers were doing? Why didn't He try to stop them?
Sometimes He allows tragedies to happen to awaken His children. Just like with the Children of Israel in the Old Testament, He is trying to get our attention. Time after time Israel turned their backs on Him. He would send plagues, and troubles their way to turn their hearts back to Him. He wants America to turn back to Him, too. Our nation is headed the wrong direction and He is trying to awaken us and bring it back.
He wants individuals who are troubled to turn to Him as well. He is the only One who can give us peace in the midst of turmoil whether it may be national, global, or personal. The peace can be there in the midst of the hard times. Nothing can take it away from us. No threat can undermine the peace that He gives.
My son pointed out last night in our family devotions that there have only been 259 years of world peace since the beginning of this world. So violence is not new to the face of the earth. We live in a fallen world, but we are citizens of another place.
So, don't be troubled. Rest in Him today..under the shadow of His wings.... There you will find comfort and there you'll find rest.
Thanks for reading. I would love to read your feedback.
Donna McHugh
No comments:
Post a Comment