I think we all have seen the adventure films where the hero is racing through some foreign city trying to reach the US Embassy before being captured, or the pictures of people surrounding a free country’s embassy trying to find refuge as revolutionaries are taking over the country.

Envision that scenario as you read Psalm 91:9-10 which says, “If you make the Lord your refuge, if you make the Most High your shelter, no evil will conquer you; no plague will come near your home.”

God is our refuge, where we can find safety and security. The classic words of Psalm 23 should always be in our minds when we are afraid, (I remember the King James version) Psalm 23:4, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.”

Dear Lord, We thank you that though we may go through frightening and difficult times in our lives, you are our refuge. Help us remember to come to you for refuge and comfort. We know you will not disappoint us. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Do you ever wonder why some Christians experience challenges in one part their lives, and others experience different types of challenges. Is it just random or is God involved in how these things are happening?

Isaiah, the Old Testament prophet was telling the people God’s view of their situation in Isaiah 28:26-29, saying, “He [a farmer] knows just what to do, for God has made him see and understand. He doesn’t thresh all grains the same. A sledge is never used on dill, but it is beaten with a stick. A threshing wheel is never rolled on cummin, but it is beaten softly with a flail. Bread grain is easily crushed, so he doesn’t keep on pounding it. The Lord Almighty is a wonderful teacher and gives the farmer wisdom.”

In this passage, Isaiah is explaining to the people that God is like the farmer, and people are like the seed. God knows what experience he needs to put someone through to most effectively develop them. So when we are going through experiences we should ask ourselves what is God doing and how is he using this experience to make me a better Christian.

Dear Lord thank you for caring for each one of us, enough to work on us and help us improve. May we graciously accept the challenges you put before us as exercises to make us stronger and better Christians. in Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

There are many promises in the bible. God promises to answer our prayers, to be with us, to protect us, and most importantly to save us for eternity. However, we do not always know exactly how he will fulfill the promises.

God promised Abraham that he would be the father of many, at a time Abraham and his wife Sarah were unable to have children. Many years after this promise, when Abraham and Sarah were well past the age they could naturally have children, they had Isaac.

Hebrews 6:14-15 writes, [God said] “I will surely bless you and give you many descendants.’ And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised.”

God has a plan for us, and timing to go with it. “Waiting patiently” as Abraham did, is often part of the plan God has for us. Part of being faithful is maintaining our faith and hope with patience while we wait. Often our prayers are answered when we finally relax and surrender to God’s timing.

Dear Lord, Your view of our situation is complete, and ours is limited. Help us remember that you care about us, our desires, and you hear our prayers. Help us be at peace with your timing. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

I think we all have seen the perimeter of security that the Secret Service form around the US President when he is in public places. The security team clears a path and maintains a safe area to allow the President to go about his movements freely, but protected.

This is the image that comes to my mind when I read Psalm 34:7 which says, “The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them.”

What a comfort this message should provide us, that we have our own security force protecting us from evil. We cannot see it, but we can know it if we put our faith and trust in God.

Dear Lord, we thank you for the comfort and confidence we can have when we rely on your promise to protect us. Help us stay faithful to you, so no matter what we encounter, we know your angel is there protecting us. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

I chuckle at the expression, “If the only tool in your toolbox is a hammer, every problem is a nail.”

I think this expression describes the way we sometimes look at problems, but also how we can mistakenly approach people. We often fall into the thinking that the same approach to an issue is right for all people, and that way we do things is the way everyone should do those things.

One, of many, examples is in the way church is conducted. Some say, “get with the times, we need contemporary music and a casual atmosphere.” others think traditional is the only appropriate way. However, often, there are many ways that are appropriate and effective, and different styles connect with different people.

Paul confirms some of these differences in 1 Corinthians 12:4-6 saying, “There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit is the source of them all. There are different kinds of service, but we serve the same Lord. God works in different ways, but it is the same God who does the work in all of us.”

It is always a healthy exercise for each of us to question how we are approaching others. Are we starting with love and care for them, and recognition of the possible differences, before we offer our opinion? Let’s remember that we are all unique and one solution is not always the only solution.

Dear Lord, the variety of people, approaches and gifts are part of the beauty of your creation. Help us see this beauty, and relate to others with love and care first, open to the gifts you may have given them. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.