Scripture for Today: Psalm 91:1-2 “Whoever 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 will trust.'”

As I was walking the streets of Metz in Northern France, I was intrigued to see this giant arrow painted on the side of this building! If it had been 1944, German bombs may have been dropping and this arrow would have directed me to a shelter. In fact, thousands of home owners were mandated by the city government to open their garage/cellars to any passerby caught outside during a raid. Today, close to 100 of these arrows still exist, serving as a silent reminder of those desperate rushes for shelter.

Today’s verse pictures God, the Almighty One, as a shelter. He is the Most High with nothing and no one higher and more powerful than He is. His very presence is a place of refuge and protection. We are not told we will be removed from the conflict or storm. But we are promised that when we run to Him, He will shield us and be our security. It is as if He is our buffer, lessening the impact of what we are experiencing. In that place of total trust, He gives a peace that defies understanding! (Phil. 4:7)

In those intense moments of fear and anxiety, I need something as obvious as that huge arrow! Rather than running around in circles I need to run to Him. His arms are open and ready to comfort and protect. He doesn’t ask me to come to Him when I have calmed down first. He doesn’t reprimand me when I come to Him in a panic. He doesn’t wait until I have my act together first. He is ready and willing to give me the reassurance of His power. It is in the shelter of His presence that I calm down and my breathing slows.

Thank you Lord, for rewarding my trust in You.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 139:16b “…all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.”

At first glance this bird could be mistaken for a magpie. The Pied Crow is a 20 inch-tall-resident of Ghana. Called “pied” for having two colors, he is smart with the cognitive equivalent of a 5-7 year old! It is considered bad luck when he and his friends gather on someone’s roof. The myth says that someone inside will soon die!

Today’s verse reminds us that the number of days we live on this earth is not a random number. Before our eyes ever saw the light of day, the length of our lives was already ordained by our Creator. The number of days is even written down, assuring us not only that God is in control but that He is not capricious. He has a plan and purpose in all He does.

How wonderful to know that my homegoing is a planned event that He considers “precious!” (Ps. 116:15) I can live without worry or fear about what the end of days may look like. Just as He has been faithful throughout my life, so He will be faithful in that last step over the threshold of Heaven!

Thank you Lord that I can live life with confidence in Your plan!

Scripture for Today: II Corinthians 4:17 “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.”

These tough-coated seeds seem to be a humble beginning for such a beautiful flower! The Morning Glory, once it germinates, puts on a colorful display. But the seeds benefit from “scarifying.” The tough seed coat when nicked with a knife allows water and air to penetrate so the germinating process can begin.

Today’s verse promises the believer that an eternal glory awaits! What a comfort this must have been to those early believers being cruelly persecuted. What is so surprising is Paul calling their troubles “light” and “momentary”! And yet compared to the glory of Heaven and our eternal destiny, our problems seem fleeting and less significant.

I often need to change my perspective with this reality check! Of course, what I face in this fallen world can be devastating. But I can move through it with the Lord’s help, strength, and this hope. And what He allows in my life that can be so hard penetrates my hard shell and is used to grow my faith. “It Will Be Worth It All” an old hymn, states that life’s trials will seem so small when we see Christ!

Thank you Lord for the hope of a future with You that will never end!