Devotional Thoughts: I’m Safe

I am covered. Even when I feel exposed and in danger I am covered. Where we dwell/live/abide is a choice. I can choose to dwell in the things of God or not. Those who choose to live in God’s ways inhabit a mighty fortress! I’m covered and I’m protected. I need not worry. God is my refuge, my safe place. This might sound crazy to some but it’s my experience. All humans and earthly structures will fail but my faith and my soul will last forever. As I feed my faith it grows. It blossoms. It flourishes! Storms will come but I am protected. From an earthly perspective it might appear that everything is destroyed, but these are just things. Things cannot fulfill us. They’re just objects. True peace and contentment comes by giving oneself over to God and choosing to dwell in God’s house.

What about when hurricanes and tornadoes come and destroy our earthly dwellings you ask? These are fleeting. They’re prone to fail us. Making the Most High, the Almighty my dwelling place gives me strength to endure whatever may come. Sometimes I’m in God’s fortress and other times I’m just in His shadow. Psalm 91 was special to me as a young person. I loved the comfort and promise of verses 1-2 and then the promises in these last verses:

“Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him; I will protect him, because he knows my name. When he calls to me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.” Psalm 91:14-16 ESV

I have a Rescuer! God listens! God will answer! God will be with me in troubled times! There’s light at the end of this long tunnel of life. Suffering will not defeat the one who dwells int he shelter of the Most High! God wins. God will have the final word! God will protect His people!

We all have many regrets in our lives. One decision I’ve never regretted is giving my life to God. I can hold onto the promises God has given me. God extends these to all of mankind! We need only to take hold of them, believe them! Last Sunday, my pastor pointed out an obstacle for us: admitting our sin. Confession our sins, our wrongs to God is off color in our culture today. The preferred method is to lie, to cover up or to just walk away. This bring more pain and problems into the world. Confession and a commitment to surrender from our own toxic ways is what brings true soul healing. We are all guilty; we have all sinned. Only the brave face God in this life. The brave strong one admits fault, confesses, asks for forgiveness and moves on into a deeper commitment to God, a better place, a safe place. I don’t have to clutter up my life with lies and sin. I can live free of these things. Yes, it’s possible! This is what it takes to be light, to bring sweetness into the lives of others.