Protected In The Storm
Psalms 9:9, 14 NLT
Verse 9: The Lord is a shelter for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.
Verse 14: Save me so I can praise You publicly at Jerusalem’s gates, so I can rejoice that You have rescued me.
We here in America, do not know what it is to be oppressed, not really. However, the MEF (minds eye flash) I got while reading this, just may be relate-able...
Walking along, normal day, and the clouds roll in. Still nothing too much to worry about, but it does kick up a breeze. Now, searching for something to add a layer to keep warm... one layer added. Still going about my day, and not too concerned with things around me. Then, the clouds get darker, and the breeze colder, and now it is blowing stronger... The weather is causing trouble to walk and even see right, due to the force of everything (kind of like daily issues that fly our way). Now, as I add yet another layer, and even better shoes, thinking I can continue on this journey on my own - the clouds break open, and rain starts to fall! Not only am I now wet, but cold, and still trying to walk on about my day (crazy, I know!). There are now things whirling around in the air, causing me to have to duck and dodge things flying towards me. I'm bundled up, sort of, so it is difficult to move quickly. So, like in a good movie, here is the slow-motion part..... rain falling, wind blowing, debris scattered, and I'm in the middle STILL trying to go about my day....Then, as if I couldn't take any more, I'm next to a road, and there is a car....yup - you guessed it! SPLASH! I am now truly soaked from head to toe! Now the rain is falling harder, the wind blowing stronger, and even bigger things are flying towards me! I am in such trouble! As I cannot take it anymore, I cry out for a place to go, to be covered and protected. As I look up, there, up ahead, is a shelter. In an instant, I am there, inside, being taken care of and provided for. Warmed up. Dry, Safe. Instantly, I feel the need to praise and thank the Lord for providing this for me! I am relieved and feel so thankful that I have been taken out of the trouble from outside!
This is how each and every day is for some of us, I know. I get it. I totally understand! But, God's word tells us, many times, over and over again - that if we turn to Him, He will provide a way for us. Sure, we may have to still walk along and be wet and cold, endure the trouble for a little bit - but even in that - He is providing for us! There are MANY times, we are 'oppressed' by our own mind, our thoughts, even our past experiences. No, it's not easy to let go of some of those 'troubles'. Yes, some of them, even though harmful and destructive, have become 'comfortable'. Our mind is a fabulous thing! Which is why the Lord warns us to guard it regularly. That is why we have a helmet of salvation, that covers it.
How do you change your "oppression and troubles"? First, by acknowledging that the Lord is right there in them WITH you! Not like a bystander, watching it all, but RIGHT THERE with you! Grab hold of His hand that He is reaching out to you! Take it, and let Him be your refuge! Your mind cannot hold two different thoughts at one time. It can't! Yes, it can be bipolar, and go from one extreme to another, in an instant even - but it cannot hold TWO thoughts at the same time. So - here is where the "time of refuge" can begin. First, put on the full armor of God, from head to toe. Actually, physically, act as if you are putting on each part. Visualize it. Do it. Now, start with the letter A, and go through the whole alphabet, and praise God. Thank Him for something in your life or day, that starts with each letter. "Father, I thank You for apples, this apple I am eating is so delicious! Thank You for blessings. For blessing me with all of these things in my life. Thank You for Your closeness, and how You never leave me."
You get the idea. Even if you are in a funk, or feel down, or even have a negative attitude - I'm telling you, this helps! OR you can use the ABC's to pray for others in your life. I do this for my husband. I pray through the ABC's asking the Lord to bless my husband in an area with each letter. It's pretty neat!
Today, as you go about doing your thing, remember, it is God and God alone that is our refuge, our shelter in any and all storms. Jesus didn't come here to earth, leaving heaven, just to watch us suffer! He came, to break us free from the bondage's of sin! Jesus, IS our FREEDOM! He IS our SHELTER in the storm! He IS our REFUGE! But the only way to accept that, is to search Him out by reading our bible. That is how we get to know Him, and have a relationship with Him! Start in Proverbs, or Psalms - in the New Testament, start in the book of John. I like Corinthians, and James, Titus even. You just need to start somewhere! The bible is the autobiography of Jesus. Read it, and you will see Him in every part - all throughout time and history! Enjoy your safety, warmth, dryness, and protection when you spend time with Jesus. Take cover, take refuge - in Him. Stop allowing yourself to be held captive and oppressed by the bad, negative, hard things that have happened to you, or are happening around you today. Be glad, rejoice - that He has saved you! That He is walking WITH you right now! Know, that I am praying for you, and that you ARE loved! <3
Verse 9: The Lord is a shelter for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.
Verse 14: Save me so I can praise You publicly at Jerusalem’s gates, so I can rejoice that You have rescued me.
We here in America, do not know what it is to be oppressed, not really. However, the MEF (minds eye flash) I got while reading this, just may be relate-able...
Walking along, normal day, and the clouds roll in. Still nothing too much to worry about, but it does kick up a breeze. Now, searching for something to add a layer to keep warm... one layer added. Still going about my day, and not too concerned with things around me. Then, the clouds get darker, and the breeze colder, and now it is blowing stronger... The weather is causing trouble to walk and even see right, due to the force of everything (kind of like daily issues that fly our way). Now, as I add yet another layer, and even better shoes, thinking I can continue on this journey on my own - the clouds break open, and rain starts to fall! Not only am I now wet, but cold, and still trying to walk on about my day (crazy, I know!). There are now things whirling around in the air, causing me to have to duck and dodge things flying towards me. I'm bundled up, sort of, so it is difficult to move quickly. So, like in a good movie, here is the slow-motion part..... rain falling, wind blowing, debris scattered, and I'm in the middle STILL trying to go about my day....Then, as if I couldn't take any more, I'm next to a road, and there is a car....yup - you guessed it! SPLASH! I am now truly soaked from head to toe! Now the rain is falling harder, the wind blowing stronger, and even bigger things are flying towards me! I am in such trouble! As I cannot take it anymore, I cry out for a place to go, to be covered and protected. As I look up, there, up ahead, is a shelter. In an instant, I am there, inside, being taken care of and provided for. Warmed up. Dry, Safe. Instantly, I feel the need to praise and thank the Lord for providing this for me! I am relieved and feel so thankful that I have been taken out of the trouble from outside!
This is how each and every day is for some of us, I know. I get it. I totally understand! But, God's word tells us, many times, over and over again - that if we turn to Him, He will provide a way for us. Sure, we may have to still walk along and be wet and cold, endure the trouble for a little bit - but even in that - He is providing for us! There are MANY times, we are 'oppressed' by our own mind, our thoughts, even our past experiences. No, it's not easy to let go of some of those 'troubles'. Yes, some of them, even though harmful and destructive, have become 'comfortable'. Our mind is a fabulous thing! Which is why the Lord warns us to guard it regularly. That is why we have a helmet of salvation, that covers it.
How do you change your "oppression and troubles"? First, by acknowledging that the Lord is right there in them WITH you! Not like a bystander, watching it all, but RIGHT THERE with you! Grab hold of His hand that He is reaching out to you! Take it, and let Him be your refuge! Your mind cannot hold two different thoughts at one time. It can't! Yes, it can be bipolar, and go from one extreme to another, in an instant even - but it cannot hold TWO thoughts at the same time. So - here is where the "time of refuge" can begin. First, put on the full armor of God, from head to toe. Actually, physically, act as if you are putting on each part. Visualize it. Do it. Now, start with the letter A, and go through the whole alphabet, and praise God. Thank Him for something in your life or day, that starts with each letter. "Father, I thank You for apples, this apple I am eating is so delicious! Thank You for blessings. For blessing me with all of these things in my life. Thank You for Your closeness, and how You never leave me."
You get the idea. Even if you are in a funk, or feel down, or even have a negative attitude - I'm telling you, this helps! OR you can use the ABC's to pray for others in your life. I do this for my husband. I pray through the ABC's asking the Lord to bless my husband in an area with each letter. It's pretty neat!
Today, as you go about doing your thing, remember, it is God and God alone that is our refuge, our shelter in any and all storms. Jesus didn't come here to earth, leaving heaven, just to watch us suffer! He came, to break us free from the bondage's of sin! Jesus, IS our FREEDOM! He IS our SHELTER in the storm! He IS our REFUGE! But the only way to accept that, is to search Him out by reading our bible. That is how we get to know Him, and have a relationship with Him! Start in Proverbs, or Psalms - in the New Testament, start in the book of John. I like Corinthians, and James, Titus even. You just need to start somewhere! The bible is the autobiography of Jesus. Read it, and you will see Him in every part - all throughout time and history! Enjoy your safety, warmth, dryness, and protection when you spend time with Jesus. Take cover, take refuge - in Him. Stop allowing yourself to be held captive and oppressed by the bad, negative, hard things that have happened to you, or are happening around you today. Be glad, rejoice - that He has saved you! That He is walking WITH you right now! Know, that I am praying for you, and that you ARE loved! <3
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