Surviving the Hurricane

As South Africans we don't come across Hurricanes in our weather patterns, but we are obviously aware that friends around the world have to take precautions against these devasting weather conditions. 

We may not face physical storms in our lives, but we will inevitably find ourselves in a spiritual or emotional Hurricane at some point in time. This is when we truly must 'batten down the hatches and draw close to God in prayer.' I love how Eugene Peterson renders Psalm 57 - it really resonates with me. 

"Be good to me, God—and now! I’ve run to you for dear life. I’m hiding out under your wings until the hurricane blows over. I call out to High God, the God who holds me together. He sends orders from heaven and saves me..." - Psalm 57:1-3

Living in Grace

D3LM3

What's on the sandwich?

What do you like to put on your sandwich snacks? Do you enjoy a piece of cheese, or some meat or are you happy with something plain like peanut butter? You are wondering why I am speaking about sandwich fillings, when I should be sharing about Psalm 57? Well, as I read through the Psalmist's list of woes, I note that in the middle of dealing with the 'pride of lions' (v.4) and the 'pit of distress' (v.6) he calls out for God to be exalted in the heavens:

Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;
let your glory be over all the earth.

For me, it is almost like he wants us to know that God can still reign supreme, despite what is happening around us. So, perhaps his call for God to be exalted and glorified is a reminder to himself, as well as a call for God to take his rightful place. 

They spread a net for my feet—
I was bowed down in distress.
They dug a pit in my path—
but they have fallen into it themselves. (v.6)

How do you see God acting when you face times of trial? 

Do we need to be reminded that God is exalted and that his glory will fill the earth?

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Until the Hurricane blows over

"Be good to me, God—and now!

I’ve run to you for dear life. 

I’m hiding out under your wings
until the hurricane blows over.
I call out to High God,
the God who holds me together.
He sends orders from heaven and saves me,
he humiliates those who kick me around.
God delivers generous love,
he makes good on his word." - Psalm 57:1-3

There is something in the promise of God helping to hide us under his wings that is always comforting. In this version of Psalm 57, I am drawn to the picture of God letting us hide out until the hurricane has blown over. 

What is your 'Hurricane' at the moment? Can you picture yourself hiding out in the shelter of God's grace?

Before you rush off into the rest of the day why don't you pause for a minute and imagine yourself in hollow of God's hand.

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Remain Confident

"Though a mighty army surrounds me,
    my heart will not be afraid.
Even if I am attacked,
    I will remain confident." - Psalm 27:3

It is not easy to remain CONFIDENT in the face of adversity, but it is my prayer that we can all remain confident in the strength that Christ gives us. Let us not be confident in the ability of people, but rather in the Grace of Jesus.

Psalm 57:7 - My heart is confident in you, O God; my heart is confident. No wonder I can sing your praises!

Living in Grace
D3LM3

The heart of God

“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing." - Matthew 23:37

This verse shows me the true heart of God. Jesus longs to gather us together as his children, but we often choose to go our own way. It is my prayer that we will be moved to trust in Jesus over this Easter period and to believe in his loving hand. When he wants to gather us together, it is not to be over-bearing and controlling, but rather to protect us.

"Have mercy on me, my God, have mercy on me,
    for in you I take refuge.
I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings    until the disaster has passed." - Psalm 57:1

Living in Grace
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Serving its purpose

Everything has a purpose!
Usually things are designed to serve an effective purpose - no matter how big or small it may seem, everything should serve it's purpose.

"The purpose of human life is to serve, and to show compassion and the will to help others." -

Albert Schweitzer 

Exodus 9:16 - "But I have spared you for a purpose—to show you my power and to spread my fame throughout the earth."

Take a look at a few of the following examples and then add your own.

A lid on the toothpaste keeps the paste soft.
A spray paint tin contains enough paint to do a job.
A cover protects a cellphone.
A post-it note sticks to a book or piece of paper (usually).
A computer cable allows power to flow to your laptop/tablet.
A indicator on the car helps us tell others where we are turning.
A coffee mug holds a good cup of hot brew.
A belt keeps our jeans from slipping off.

So, what is YOUR purpose? What did God design you for? Unless we discover what our purpose is, I believe that we will be frustrated with life. We will feel as if something is missing and this will lead to discontentment.

Psalm 57:2 - I cry out to God Most High, to God who will fulfil his purpose for me.

Living in Grace
D3LM3