Rock-a-bye Baby!

I

t's amazing what you can learn in an elevator!!  One Monday evening, I was preparing to give the final exam to my French 4 students.  I arrived early in the afternoon so I could proof read the exam one last time before making copies.  As I entered the elevator to take me to the main office, a young woman got on with me.  In her arms she carried a large book, her purse, and a three-month old infant who was securely sleeping in his carrier.  Despite the jostling of the elevator and the people getting on and off at various floors, the little boy just kept on dozing.  Nothing, it seemed, could wake him.  His was the quiet, deep, and confident sleep of safety.  He had no worries, no problems, no concerns, and no cares.  He was at perfect peace and rest!

Watching him sleep brought back memories of my own childhood.  Every evening before going to bed, my mom used to rock me to sleep.  My brother and I would come in from playing with our friends.  We would bathe, get our pajamas on, and then we would go into the den that was located in the back of our house.  Mom would turn off the lights and the television and she would turn the radio to a very low volume.  We took turns being the first one to sit on her lap.

While she rocked my brother to sleep, I would lie on the couch and wait my turn.  In the dark, I listened to the sound of my mother's voice as she hummed soft and low.  I can still hear the rhythmic, steady, creaking of the rocking chair, and I can remember the calm, peaceful feeling that settled over our den.  When my turn came, I climbed up on her lap, and laid may head against her, and just relaxed.  Like the child in the elevator, everything melted away.  All the cares of the day vanished, I wasn't afraid of anything, and all that mattered was that mom was holding me.  It was my time and no one else's.

The book of Isaiah paints a similar picture for the children of Israel.  During every period of difficulty, God always provided a time for them to be reconciled to him.  After the long and difficult trials, God constantly sought to comfort them and to give them special time with him. Isaiah 66:13 describes such a time: “I will comfort you there as a child is comforted by its mother."

What a wonderful picture of love this is.  God speaks here of restoring Israel, of providing for her comfort, and for giving her a time of rest.  Can't you just see God taking his children in his lap, holding them close to him, hugging them, and rocking them to sleep?  Can't you just see him as he enfolds them in his arms, letting nothing harm them, protecting them from the world outside, providing a safe haven for them to enjoy.

How long has it been since this happened to you?  How long has it been since God took you into his arms, sat you on his lap, and rocked you to sleep?  This is not an oversimplification of God's relationship to us; rather it is exactly what God wants to do for us.  This is the type of relationship he intended for us to have with him from the beginning.

As a mother comforts her child, so God wants to comfort us.  My mother never wanted me to be unhappy.  When I was upset, she made me feel better.  When I hurt, she healed.  When I was cold, she made me warm.  When I was sick, she nursed me.  When I was afraid, she held me.  When I needed special attention, she rocked me.  Why would I believe that my Heavenly Father would do any less? 

When my mother rocked me to sleep, I was the most content I have ever been.  Nothing in all the world could ever replace that special bond and that wonderful feeling of comfort and security.  That is what God has in store for us.  He is waiting for us to come to him, to climb up on his lap, to place ourselves against him, and to experience true and lasting comfort.  Are you ready for your turn in the rocking chair?

God's Crosswalk

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ast Elementary School was about a 10-minute walk from our house on Main Street.  Every morning, unless it was bad weather, I grabbed my book satchel, opened the heavy front door, and stepped out to meet the day.  I followed the sidewalk to the corner of Main and Cone Streets.  The latter street was named after my grandfather and proved to be my first great hurdle.  I had to cross Cone Street in order to gain the sidewalk that would take me to school.

I made sure to look both ways for oncoming traffic, just like my mom and dad had taught me, and then I crossed over to the other side.  I made a left turn and began the last leg of my daily jaunt to school.  I passed the Cornwell home, my uncle’s house, the Clarks, the Dellingers, and I walked past the Medical Center Pharmacy and the trees my dad had planted as a young boy.

When I arrived at the corner of Cone and Academy Streets I came to a full stop.  Academy Street was very wide and there was a large crosswalk which led directly to East Elementary’s main sidewalk.  There was a crossing guard who stopped traffic so I could safely cross over.  His name was Richard and he always spoke to me and told me to have a good day.

Above our school flew the American and North Carolina flags and a green pennant that reminded us of safety. One day Richard visited our class to remind us to always look both ways before crossing the street and to always stay within the crosswalk.  As long as we did that, we would be safe and as long as we were safe and there were no accidents, the green pennant would remain fluttering in the breeze above our school.

That very afternoon, something terrible happened.  On the way home, at the corner of Cone and Main Streets, a huge crowd had gathered.  An ambulance and a police car were also there and a policeman was directing the ever increasing traffic on Main Street.  Richard was there and he and the ambulance men were working with a small boy who had not remembered to look both ways or to remain in the crosswalk when crossing the street.  That young boy was injured and did not recover.

I never come to that intersection but I think about that day.  Although it has been 47 years since that accident, the scene is indelibly etched in my mind.  The lesson of the crosswalk has stayed with me all these years and as I read God’s word I see the lesson of the crosswalk within its pages.

In John 5:24, Jesus makes the following statement, “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.”  Do you see the crosswalk in the words of Jesus?  Every crosswalk has two boundaries between which we can safely walk.  Jesus, in this passage, says that we must hear his words and believe in God who sent him.  As long as we listen and believe, we walk safely and cross over.  Inside the crosswalk is life; outside the crosswalk is danger, pain, and death.  Jesus reminds us in the closing words of this passage that those who hear the word and believe in God have “crossed over from death to life.”

The road of life is fraught with many intersections.  Intersections are a necessary part of the Christian life and how we choose to cross them demonstrates our faith and our trust in Jesus Christ.  Are you at an intersection?  Are you at the corner of Main and Cone Streets today?  Are you looking for a way to cross over and continue in the path God has for you?  If so, open God’s word, listen to His voice, and believe in Him and in His son, Jesus Christ, and you will safely cross over.   Are you walking in God’s crosswalk today?

Leave The Night Light On

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hen I think of home and all the wonderful memories I have from my childhood, one image in particular comes back repeatedly.  It is the image of the lights that burned during the night in our house.  My brother and I shared a room and each night before going to bed, we made sure the bathroom light was burning.  There was such a sense of security provided by that light.  As long as it burned, I knew everything would be all right.  I had no fear of the dark, of the things hiding under my bed, or lurking in my closet because I knew the bathroom light would keep me safe.

Some nights, when sleep eluded me, I would lie awake in my bed and look at the soft light coming from our bathroom.  There, in the stillness, the light would assure me that everything was okay. It provided companionship and dispelled the worries and fears I had of the dark.  The light was always faithful, ever vigilant, ever protecting, and ever present.  After a while, perhaps fifteen minutes or as much as an hour, I would drift off into a sound, worry-free sleep, secure in the knowledge the light would always be there to help me, to console me, and to protect me.

Most of us could share similar experiences from our childhood.  We all know what it's like to be afraid of the dark.  We can all identify with the child who fears the monsters under his bed or those hiding in his closet.  Even as adults, there are still monsters that haunt us late at night, and if we are truly honest, we would admit we still find great comfort in night lights.  We want something to take away the dark areas of our lives, those areas that frighten and paralyze us and prevent us from enjoying life to the full.

Would it surprise you to learn that the concept of the night-light can be traced back as far as the Exodus of the Hebrew children from Egypt?  It's true and our scripture today shows us that the children of Israel found great comfort and security in night-lights.  Exodus 13:21-22 says, "And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so as to go by day and night. He did not take away the pillar of cloud by day or the pillar of fire by night from before the people."

The night-light God provided for his people was none other than his own presence.  There, on the desert floor, having no idea where they were headed, God provided guidance for them.  During the day, a great pillar of cloud went before them and at night, the pillar changed into fire, providing light for their journey.  Can you imagine what it would be like to open the flap of your tent and see the presence of the eternal God?  On nights when sleep escaped you, or when you were afraid of the monsters in the dark, or when your mind was filled with all kinds of worries, all you had to do was open your tent, and you would see God's night-light.  This light burned all during the dark hours of the night.  It dispelled any fear, any threat, any worry on the part of his children.  There was great security, great peace, and great comfort in knowing the light was always there, always watching, always protecting, always burning.

On the campus of Southwestern seminary, the main classroom building stays lit all night long.  While I was a seminary student, I often imagined myself as one of the Hebrew children during the Exodus.  Whenever I couldn’t sleep, whenever I was lonely, whenever I just needed someone to listen to me, I would go look at that building.  In the soft light, I could hear God say so softly, yet so earnestly, "I am here.  You can sleep because I am awake; you need not be lonely for I am your friend. Come, talk to me, for I am here to listen.  Have no fear of the dark, for my presence is with you and my light can never be put out."

During all the difficult and trying times of my life, when it seems the darkness is all around, the pillar of fire continues on before me.  God never removed that pillar from before the people and I know he will never remove it from before or you me.  When darkness falls, it is wonderful to know that God always leaves the night-light on for us.  As the Psalmist writes in Psalm 21, "He who keeps you will not slumber.  Behold, He who keeps Israel Shall neither slumber nor sleep."  Today, as you walk with God, you have the confidence of knowing that no matter how dark the way seems, the light is always on.   

Safely Sleep

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ur home on Main Street was a wonderful place to grow up.  We had great neighbors all around, there were plenty of other kids to play with and it seemed we never lacked for anything to do.  Mom would step out onto our back porch more than once to call us in, especially during the summer months when school was out.  Finally, as the last remnants of sunset gave way to the dark pall of night, we would head home for baths, and bed.

Each night before closing the house for the night, mom or dad would follow the same routine.  All the lights in the house were turned off, the thermostats were checked to make sure we were cool or toasty, mom and dad would stop by our rooms to kiss us good night, and the doors, both front and back, were firmly shut and the security latches fastened.

Peace then rained in our home and we all settle down for a good night’s sleep. I never felt afraid, nervous, or worried about anything happening to our family.  Mom and dad were there, they had secured the house, and all was well with the world.

Today it is quite different. I go through the same routine each night as my parents did but the last thing I do is to make sure the security system is armed and all the outside lights are on.  Then, I hop into bed and Trixie, my cat, takes settles into one of her many favorite spots, and we go to sleep.

Isn’t it funny how we place so much confidence in locks and security systems?  David, the shepherd boy who became king, had no such options. Instead, as a shepherd, he looked to God for his safety and security.  He records this for us in Psalm 4:8 “In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.”

There are three great truths tucked neatly away in David’s words.  First, notice his confidence in the Lord.  Despite weather, despite intruders who would harm the sheep or try to steal them, despite the lion and the bear that could easily strike the flock, David says confidently that he will lie down and sleep.

Then notice how David plans to sleep.  He will lie down in peace and sleep in safety.  No cares, no worries, no things going bump in the middle of the night, just deep, peaceful, and restful sleep. David knows full well that God is on watch, that God will protect him and let no harm come to him.

Lastly, let us take notice of why David will sleep in peace.  David categorically states that he can and will sleep in peace and safety because the Lord, and he alone, will make this happen. In fact, David uses the word, dwell, to demonstrate his faith and confidence in God’s provision. To dwell means to remain constantly in that state. In essence David is saying I will lie down and sleep in peace and safety because Lord you, and no one else, constantly stand watch over me, be it day or night.

Tonight, I will make the rounds just as I am sure my mom and dad will make the rounds at their home.  Before I turn out the light and settle in, I will remind myself that despite the locks, despite the outside lights, and despite the security system, I will sleep in peace and security because God alone will stand watch over me, just as he has every night of my life!  Do you know this security today?

Leave The Light On

I

 grew up in a small town nestled in the Piedmont of Western North Carolina.  Our house on Main Street was the place I called home, and the place where I learned so many of life’s important lessons.  At the time, I didn’t know how important they were nor did I understand the role they would play later in life.  But now, as I look back on those years and on that house, so many sights, sounds, and experiences come sharply into focus and I see my childhood in such a different light.

Our home was wonderful. I always felt secure and safe within its walls, especially at night when I had climbed into bed and daddy closed the front door.  I can still hear that door and remember how deeply I slept, confident that that door would remained closed and that mom and dad would take care of me.

Before going to bed themselves, mom and dad would check in on each of us and they made sure that the bathroom light was always on.  Although the sleeping arrangements changed for me as my brother and sister came along, that light in the bathroom never changed. It burned each night, standing watch over us and no matter how dark it grew outside my window, the light from our bathroom reassured me that everything was and would be all right until sunrise the next morning.

The gospel of John has much to say about light and darkness. He mentions the word light no fewer than 15 times in his gospel. It is here that Jesus says of himself that he is the “light of the world” and John begins with the notion of a “light shining in darkness” that the “darkness can never put out.”  What a wonderful promise this is because, not matter our age, we are all afraid of the dark.

In John 12:46 Jesus says, “I have come as a light to shine in this dark world, so that all who put their trust in me will no longer remain in the dark.” Please notice the two truths that are in this statement. First and foremost, Jesus makes it very clear that the world is a dark place.  We need look no further than the front page of our newspapers to understand this truth.  But Jesus does not leave us in the dark! He says that his purpose in coming was to be the light to dispel the darkness so we would no longer have to live in fear or in the darkness of sin.

Back on Main Street, if I woke up during the night because of a bad dream, or if I needed a drink of water, or if I just thought there was something lurking in the corner of my room, the bathroom light provided comfort, reassuring me that all was well, that nothing in the darkness would harm me and, that if I needed to get out of bed, I would be able to see where I was going.  What a wonderful picture this is of Jesus.  He watches over us constantly, protecting us from things we can’t see, providing light so we won’t stumble, and making sure that when we feel alone and afraid, that we see and feel the comfort of his presence.  Do you know the security of having Jesus as your nightlight today? He will always leave the light on for you!

Under The Covers

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he blanket on my bed is one of my best friends.  Now it may seem odd to you that I have befriended a blanket but we have a very close relationship!  Each night I stretch the blanket over my bed and hop it.  The weight of that blanket reassures me and gives me a wonderful feeling of security and protection.

Whether in January or in September, the blanket faithfully covers me. It keeps me warm and guards against anything that would disturb my sleep.  When I go to sleep the blanket is there and when I awake in the morning, it is still spread across the bread standing guard over me.  The faithfulness of that blanket has shielded me through many nights and I know it will do so in the many nights yet to come.

David, the shepherd king of Israel, fully understood the protective comfort of being shielded by God.  In Psalm 91:4 he penned the following words, “He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.”

Can’t you just feel the comfort, warmth, and security of God’s wings in David’s words?  Throughout his life and trials be it in front of Goliath, being chased by Saul, or facing down his enemies, David knew the comfort and assurance found under the protection of God’s wings.

He says very plainly that God’s wings provide refuge and that God’s faithfulness, not ours, will be our shield.  God is always faithful. His eyes are always on us and he fights for us even when we are unaware of the enemy’s presence.

Are you living under the covers today?  Do you know the wonderful privilege of being gathered under God’s wings?  Do you feel the warmth and security of his presence in all of life’s situations?  If not, it is my prayer that today you would ask God to come into your heart, to be the king of your life, and to surround you with his wings today.  There is nothing like being under the cover of God’s wings.  Won’t you ask him to cover you today?

I'm Scared

T

he voice was very soft; but even in a deep, sound sleep I could hear someone calling my name.  Just then, I felt a hand on my shoulder, shaking me awake, and that same soft voice called my name again.  I woke up and saw my little sister standing beside my bed.  I quickly glanced at the clock and noticed it was 3:00 a.m., far too early for this kid, or anybody for that matter, to be awake.

I asked Heather if she were sick, and she said no.  I asked her if she were cold, and she said no.  Then I asked the million dollar question.  I wanted to know if she was scared and she said yes. She had had a bad dream and decided she would be safer with me. So, she got out of bed, came to my room, walked over to my bed, and woke me up.  She wanted to know if I would lie down with her while she went back to sleep.  Although I was barely awake myself, there was no way I was going to send this little girl back to her bed to face alone all those things that go bump in the night.

I threw back the covers, took her by the hand, got her something to drink from the kitchen, went to her room and lay on her bed while she went to sleep.  It didn’t take long until she was in a deep, sound sleep, curled up against me.  I listened to her breathe as she lay there sleeping.  She was completely relaxed, secure in the knowledge that her big brother would keep anything from harming her during the night.  With me there, she didn’t worry about anything at all; she slept through the rest of the night.

All of us have been in Heather’s place at one time or another.  During the darkest part of the night, we have a bad dream, the phone rings unexpectedly, or we hear something that calls us to immediate attention, nerves on edge, with a thousand thoughts racing through our heads.  We can’t go back to sleep and it seems that every shadow and every noise indicates something is lurking in the darkness, waiting to take us hostage.  We have an overwhelming sense that we are surrounded and that there is no way out.

This was exactly the feeling experienced by Elisha’s servant.  The King of Aram was at war with Israel and Elisha (referred to as the man of God), through divine guidance, informed Israel’s king of all the places where Aram’s king was planning to ambush him.  The King of Aram was frustrated and sent soldiers to find and capture Elisha.  The prophet was in the city of Dothan and during the night soldiers from Aram surrounded it.

The next morning, Elisha’s servant went out and saw all those soldiers and chariots.  I imagine he pinched himself and found out he was awake. This was no dream, it was a waking nightmare!  The man told Elisha about the soldiers.  Essentially, he told the prophet he was scared, that he didn’t know what to do, and could Elisha do something about it.

Elisha opened his mouth and said, “Don't be afraid," the prophet answered. "Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”  (2 Kings 2:16) This man probably thought Elisha was nuts!!  All he saw were those soldiers surrounding the city.  He saw no allies, he saw no cavalry rushing to his assistance, and there was seemingly no one to help.  Where did Elisha get this idea that an army was ready to take up arms and fight on their behalf?

That’s when Elisha prayed and asked God to open the young man’s eyes.  God answered Elisha’s prayer and the young man saw Aram’s army completely surrounded by horses and chariots of fire.  Elisha knew that God was his protection in all the circumstances of life.  He knew that God always takes care of His own, especially during the dark moments of life.  When his immediate circumstances looked hopeless, the hills all around him were filled with the mighty hosts of heaven.

Today, I want you to take encouragement from Elisha’s response.  It may be you are going through a very difficult time.  It may be that all around you seems hopeless and lost or you may feel you are completely surrounded with no one to help.  Like my sister, you are afraid of things lurking in the dark and don’t know if you can have peace.  Rest assured; you can!  At moments like this, we need to call on God’s name and ask Him to help us.  We need to let Him take us by the hand and provide comfort and shelter in times of trouble. 

W

hen He comes along side us, we are at peace because nothing can harm us as long as we are in His presence.  God’s provision, His faithfulness, and His watchful eye are the same for us today as they were for Elisha.  There is no situation too desperate or too threatening for our God.  He is always in full control and, even when we don’t see evidence of His presence, He is there.  The hills around you are completely filled with God’s protection.  Walk confidently with Him along the pathway of life today.  You won’t have to be scared ever again.

Firm Footing

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here is a river in the south of France called the Gard.  Over this river there stands a large aqueduct left by the Romans.  The aqueduct is known as the Pont du Gard (the bridge of the Gard) and it is frequented by tourists from all around the world.  The aqueduct is indeed a feat of engineering, designed to carry water from a distant source and deliver it to large villages many miles away.  But the most spectacular view comes not from the base of the Pont du Gard, but from its top.

In 1983, when I visited the Pont du Gard, it was possible to walk across it.  Today, the privilege no longer exists; but when I was there visitors were greeted with a small sign written in several languages.  This sign delivered a solemn and sobering warning to all those wanting to get a closer look at the aqueduct.  The following message was emblazoned on a white panel just a few feet from the aqueduct itself:  “Warning!  Walk at your own risk.  Many people have slipped and plummeted to their deaths!” 

Not very uplifting is it?  Nonetheless, people read the sign and ventured forth to walk on top of the aqueduct, several hundred feet in the air, crossing from one side of the Gard to the other. The Pont du Gard is only wide enough for two people to walk abreast and since people travel in both directions, crossing over is somewhat of a challenge. In addition, the wind constantly blows and the hiker must maintain his balance lest he slip and fall to the river below.

I don’t know of a clearer example of the gospel than this bridge across the Gard River.  In Matthew7:14, Jesus states very clearly that there is only one way to salvation: “But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life and only a few find it.”  There were several tourists at the Pont du Gard on the day we visited. However, only a few of us ventured forth to walk on the aqueduct and cross over the river.  The way was narrow and very small but our footing was sure and we knew the aqueduct wouldn’t give way.

From that vantage point, the river posed no threat.  Its depth and rapid currents could not harm us because we were walking above it.  The river bed was actually the support for the aqueduct and kept it in place.  The wind did blow but the solid structure of the aqueduct held us up and ensured our passage would be safe as long as we walked with confidence and did not venture too far to one side or the other.

The narrow road Jesus spoke of is the same way for all those seeking to walk with God.  The way is narrow, but it rises far above the worries, cares, and pitfalls of everyday-life.  Most people stand at the base and look longingly upward, wanting ever so desperately to climb and walk above the cares of this life.  They want to have that narrow walk with God but because of fear or doubt, they never climb to the top and walk on the aqueduct.  But for those who take that step of faith and venture forth, there is no walk as exhilarating nor as rewarding, as the walk we take with God.  True, the winds of adversity continue to blow and buffet us, but we are safe as long as we keep our focus and our steps on the way ahead.

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here are you in this picture?  Are you at the base of the aqueduct, longing to walk above the cares of this life?  Do you want to accept Jesus’ call to walk and have fellowship with him?  Perhaps you are walking on the top already but the winds of adversity have frightened you and the way ahead looks long and difficult.  Wherever you are, at the top or at the bottom, please know that Jesus means for you to walk across to the other side.  Through faith in him, you can walk across that bridge and overcome the difficulties of life.  The way is not easy, and there are few who actually search for it, but for those who decide to take it, life is never the same.  Cone on up!  Jesus is waiting for you to join him on that narrow road.  He will walk with you every step of the way!

These Are Mine

J

erry and Monica had been married for only a few months when they decided to take the plunge and buy their first home.  They spent weeks scouring the local papers and the Internet for available homes in their price range.  They found several that looked good on paper but they just didn't fit the image either one of them had for their own home. 

The houses were either too large, too small, had too much yard, too many neighbors, or not enough of either.  They were anything but just right.  However, after three weeks of intense research and endless visits, Monica found a lovely little house not far from their apartment.  She called Jerry at work and later that evening they visited the home.  Both of them fell in love with the little house and made an offer which the owners accepted.

Once their bid was accepted, Jerry and Monica began the endless process of signing forms, changing their address, and finding an insurance policy for the home.  They had to list everything they owned so that the insurance company would have an accurate record of their possessions.  In the event of fire, natural disaster, or theft, their items could be replaced as long as they had been duly cataloged with the insurance company. 

Monica spent days listing and labeling all their belonging, making sure not to overlook anything.  Finally, this process was complete and she presented the insurance company with a long list of personal items.  She kept a copy of the list and the policy in a file marked "Our Stuff."

Isn't it amazing how much importance we attach to things?  We know exactly what we own, how much it is worth, and we can give a detailed description of each item.  Would it surprise you to know that God looks on us in the same way as we view our possessions? Can you grasp the notion that we have infinite value to God and that he keeps an exact listing of our lives?  The scriptures tell us that even the hairs on our head are numbered.  He knows every intimate detail about us and he an exact record of every situation and circumstance we encounter.

Isaiah 43:1 demonstrates just how much we mean to our Heavenly Father.  God says, "But now, O Israel, the Lord who created you says: “Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine."

Do not let this small verse of scripture slip past you because it is packed with power.  Four important truths are listed in this one sentence.  1) God created us.  He formed us, planned us, and made us for his glory.  2) We have no cause to be afraid.  God does not give us a spirit of fear and if he is for us, who can be against us?  3) He has ransomed us.  He provided his own son to pay the penalty for our sin.  He did this simply because he loved us and wanted to have a relationship with us. 4) He knows our names and we are his.  This is my favorite part of the sentence.  We are on his list of precious possessions.  He has placed our names on his list and when he looks at us he says, "These are mine!"  We belong to him and no one else can have us or lay any claim to us. 

S

o, the next time you feel as if you don't matter, or you feel that you don't belong, just remember.  God claims you as his own, he loves you, he has placed you on his list of precious possessions and he will always claim what is his.  You can count on that!

Covered Parking

 Carp's Daily Tidbits

"Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits." Psalm 103:2

Date: Friday, February 20, 2015

Today's Title: Covered Parking 

Today's Scripture: Psalm 91:1-2

Searching for an apartment complex in which to live proved to be both an enjoyable and a somewhat daunting task.  After spending five years in the men’s’ dorm at Southwestern Seminary, I was ready to have a place of my own with just a little more room to maneuver than my existing arrangement.  I began flipping through the newspapers, real estate magazines, and catalogs just to see what the area offered.  I got in my car and drover around town trying to decide what areas I liked and disliked.

Finally, I settled on an area of town and I began earnestly looking for apartments that had the features I desired within the price range I could afford.  Someone told me about several sites on the Internet that would prove beneficial so I began surfing the web, searching for that perfect apartment.  After several weeks of looking through ads, visiting apartment complexes, and listening to several PR pitches, I came across the complex where I currently live.

The location was perfect, the apartment had all the things I was searching for and the price was right on target.  In addition to all the things I was looking for in a home, the complex had one other feature which really peaked my interest.  Over 95% of the parking spaces in the complex were covered and the price of this parking was included in my monthly rent.  Most other complexes provided covered parking at an additional charge but this complex didn't charge extra for it and that was the deciding factor.

Now, I didn't have to worry about my car during bad weather.  The hailstorms here in Fort Worth did no damage to my car. In fact, no hail hit the car because it was safely parked underneath the shelter.  In bad weather, the car was safe. When it rained, the car didn't get wet. When it was windy, there was very little danger of something falling and hitting my car, and during the summer months the car remained cool because the sun’s rays didn't penetrate the covered area.  As long as the car remained underneath the shelter, it was safe and protected.  This was a great comfort to me and gave me one less thing to worry about.

Did you know that the Bible speaks very clearly about God providing shelter for those who trust Him?  In fact, the Scriptures state categorically that God, Himself, serves to shelter all those who know Him as their Heavenly Father and who have placed their hope and their trust in Him.  Psalm 91:1-2 reminds us of this wonderful truth, “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust."

Notice the words the psalmist uses to describe God.  His is a shelter, He is a shadow, He is a refuge, and He is a fortress.  The shelter and the shadow provide rest and safety from the elements of heat, wind, rain, and snow.  To hide or rest in a shadow means that you are hiding or resting in the shadow of something that is bigger and stronger than you are.  Not only is there rest in the shadow, there is also peace and contentment.

But God is also a refuge and a fortress.  The refuge is a place you go to escape your enemies and in the Christian life we have our share.  The enemies of doubt, fear, worry, anxiety, as well as all forms of temptation and harm have no power over those who take refuge in the Lord.  Moreover, God is a fortress, an impenetrable stronghold that safely and securely protects all those who place their trust in Him. There is, however, a part that we play in this relationship.  If we are to enjoy the peace and cool of the shadow, if we are to escape from our enemies and experience the safety of the refuge and the fortress, we must put ourselves in God’s hands. 

The psalmist says that only “he who dwells in the shelter of the Most High” can experience these things.  Dwelling means staying put, setting down roots, to make a permanent residence.  What a wonderful image for us and what a powerful lesson.  When we take God seriously, when we make Him our dwelling place, when we let Him become our protection, our provision, and our sustenance, then we will enjoy all the benefits of covered parking.  Is your life safely and securely parked under the covered parking of God’s protective mercy and grace?