Scripture for Today: Isaiah 59:1 “Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save, nor His ear too dull to hear.”

These adorable-looking gibbons can boast as having the longest arms of any primate, relative to body size. This small ape lives in the tropical forests of Southeast Asia and he can be seen swinging gracefully between branches. Their arms are longer and stronger than their legs. They can move so easily from branch to branch. When they walk they will often hold their arms up over their heads. But I especially like what this black gibbon is doing with his arms!

Today’s verse turns our attention to the arm of the Lord. It is long enough to save the most sinful and rebellious. No one is out of His reach to save. It is His outstretched arm that made the heavens and the earth. Nothing is too hard for Him. (Jer. 32:17) His arm is long enough to reach into the darkest night and save us from drowning in despair. His arm is long enough to save from any physical danger. But most important of all, His arm is long enough to extract a soul from the kingdom of darkness and lovingly place that one in His Kingdom of light!

What wonderful power is in His arm! It is amazing that this same powerful arm wants to wrap itself around me! I am safe and secure there. Nothing can touch me except what He allows. I know and am persuaded that He is able to keep my soul, committed to Him, for now and for all eternity. (II Tim. 1:12) There is no power greater than His that can separate me from His love! (Rom. 8:38-39) His powerful arm is long enough to save me and to keep me!

Lord, help me trust Your arm today.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 55:8 “I would hurry to my place of shelter, far from the tempest and storm.”

It is easy to see why this coral is called, “Bubble Coral.” Its skeleton mass is covered with water filled bubble-shaped polyps. These bubbles contain large numbers of single-celled algae that need that safe and stable environment to grow. The bubbles expand during the day and retract at night, regulating the amount of light it receives. The coral depends on that algae for most of its nutrients. Without those bubbles the coral would not thrive and grow.

Today’s verse tells us that there is a shelter that is removed from whatever tempest or storm we are experiencing. Like the bubble, it is a place of safety and refreshment and it is essential to our spiritual growth. It is a place of protection and there are times we need to hurry there! David longs for this bubble of protection when danger surrounds him and he does not know who to trust. Had he wings like a dove, he would fly away to find rest. (verse 6) Had he a choice, David would flee to the desert. (verse 7) Instead, he turns to the shelter of God’s presence. (Psalm 31:20)

I find that I need to hurry to His protective and nourishing presence daily. Like David, my thoughts can trouble me. (verse 2) The shelter of His presence keeps me removed from the tempest and storm. He does not mean for me to cower in fear at the plots of the wicked. In His sheltering presence I find the peace I so desperately need when turmoil surrounds me. There, my faith is nourished in a, “safe and stable environment.” How wonderful to have such a place available to me every day!

Lord, may Your sheltering presence keep me far from the tempest and storm