Scripture for Today:  I Chronicles 29:12  “Wealth and honor come from You.  You are the ruler of all things.  In Your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all.”

We had a power outage this morning.  I forget how dependent I am on electricity, especially for my morning routine.  I automatically go to the coffee maker expecting coffee.  I try to turn on the lights to put on my make-up.  I have to stop myself from sitting down to the computer.  It is annoying to have my routine interrupted.  The upside is that we walked into town for our coffee (and a pastry)!

We have these outages fairly frequently and some of them have put us in a panic!  One time we and a team of young people were scheduled to leave for the airport at 3:00 am.  The electric gate would not open to allow us to leave!

In our verse today I am reminded that it is the Lord who grants us strength and power for life.  I do not often recognize this fact.  It is easy to think that I am the one who makes things happen.  But in fact, strength and power are in His hands.

I need His strength.  When working without His power, things do not turn out quite the same.  It is like trying to live without electricity.  But when I plug in to the strength that He offers, I am energized to do what He asks of me in a day.  His power gives me a desire to do His will.  Philippians 2:13 says that He is at work in me to create the power and desire to do what pleases Him.

Thank you Lord, that in the spiritual realm there is no power outage with You!

Scripture for Today:  Psalm 91:2  “I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in Him will I trust.”

I was so impressed with this fortress amid these cliffs!  It seemed very safe and secure.  Anyone trying to approach unawares would be seen.  The advantage of height here is obvious.  I do not know the history of this fortress but the fact that it is still standing says something about its safety.

Our verse today talks about God being our fortress, a place of refuge and security.  Because of His strength and power I can be safe.  I can trust in Him.

We do have enemies, perhaps not the same kind that David had to face.  But there are many times when I am attacked.  It can come from many different quarters.  I could be attacked by a temptation.  But God promises me a way of escape (I Cor.10:13).  I may be attacked by the Satan himself, but I have God’s armor so I can stand and fight (Eph.6:11).  With this image of a fortress, from what am I safe?

I run to God, my Fortress, when I am being attacked by depression, anxiety, and despair.  I run to His presence when I am being attacked by worry , doubt, or fear.  In His arms I am reassured when assailed by  feelings of hurt or betrayal.  In Him I find the courage to face the world again.  In my quiet time with Him I am strengthened against all these attacks.

The verse says, “I will say of the Lord…”  And I am saying it here.  I want to testify to what God as my Fortress does for me.  Nothing else in this life is as trustworthy as HE is.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 105:4 “Look to the Lord and His strength; seek His face always.”

We were recently at Cave Creek, Arizona, a real cowboy town near Scottsdale.  I couldn’t resist buying this over-sized magnet.  I love the message, that even a macho cowboy needs to bow in humility before the cross.

In the American wild west culture, bravery and strength are part of the cowboy mystic.  To be what is considered a “real man” one must never show weakness.  This is not a new idea.  Whether it be a Japanese samurai, a Nordic warrior or the resident killer of spiders, man is commended for his strength and bravery.

There are plenty of times when our own strength, male or female, does not suffice.  Doing things in our own strength is a daily temptation.  We like to feel self-sufficient and capable.  We might even succeed and feel pretty good about ourselves.  But there are other times we feel overwhelmed or fall flat on our face when in fact we did not need to.  The Lord’s strength is available if we would avail ourselves of it.

It seems to me that this cowboy is looking to the Lord for His strength, seeking His face.  To do that requires seeing the need and humbling oneself.  That does not make one weak.  In fact it takes courage to ask and bend the knee.

His strength is so much better than my puny efforts.  He is there today waiting for me to just come and ask.  He knows I am made of dust and He offers His strength in any and all situations.  There is no shame in admitting our weakness.  Thankfully, God does not require His children to be “macho!”  Oh, how I need His strength today!