No Middle Ground!

Don’t just say it. Believe it and live it. Either God is trustworthy or He is not.

 

The one thing I want from God, the thing I seek most of all, is the privilege of meditating

 in his Temple, living in his presence every day of my life, delighting in his

incomparable perfections and glory.  There I’ll be when troubles come.”

Psalm 27:4,5 TLB

 This will be a bit longer than usual. As I write this, our nation is under a National Emergency because of the Coronavirus and its spread across the world. Some are mildly concerned while others seem to believe that owning 100 rolls of toilet paper may save them from the threat!

This is one of the biggest ‘fear producers’ in my lifetime except when as a 3rd grader I was told, when instructed, to immediately get under my desk and cover my head in case an atomic bomb blew up our city. This may seem worse somehow.

I am not minimizing the potential of this serious virus, but is it powerful enough and threatening enough to mess with our spiritual anti-virus that comes through God’s Word? Did God know in advance about this potential peril? Of course He did, and He gives us the same protection that the heroes of Scripture were given and used.

Take David for example. In Psalm 11, King David inquired of his advisors their thoughts about the enemies surrounding them. “Get to the hills and save yourself” was their sage advice. But David knew well just how hiding out worked out for him while fleeing from the mad king Saul. Saul had eyes everywhere and for a decade and a half David was constantly fleeing from Saul.

But David is wiser now. When told there seemed to be no other options open, the King responded, “How dare you tell me, “Flee to the mountains for safety,” when I am trusting in the Lord?” Psalm 11:1 TLB He knew what we all know … God still rules and we live under his rulership and care. There are more options than freaking out and fleeing… or buying more toilet paper and dried beans!

Here is David’s statement of trust: “This I declare, that he (God) alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I am trusting him. For he rescues you from every trap and protects you from the fatal plague (or virus). He will shield you with his wings! They will shelter you. His faithful promises are your armorNow you don’t need to be afraid of the dark anymore, nor fear the dangers of the day; nor dread the plagues of darkness, nor disasters in the morning.” Psalm 91:2-6 TLB

Live your trust out during these frightening days! God promises the following to all who will trust Him: “He does not fear bad news, nor live in fear of what may happen. For he is settled in his mind that Jehovah will take care of him.”  Psalm 112:7 TLB 

 An added addendum for those who need more Scripture to hang on to – God wrote these to you and for you!

“… in you my soul takes refuge; In the shadow of your wings I will take refuge, till the storms of destruction pass by. Psalm 57:1 ESV

“You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.” Psalm 32:7 NIV

“I cried out to the Lord, and he heard me… then I lay down and slept in peace and woke up safely, for the Lord was watching over me.” Psalm 3:4,5 TLB

“The Lord will keep you from all harm – he will watch over your life;” Psalm 121:7 NIV

“God’s name is a place of protection— good people can run there and be safe.” Proverbs 18:10 The Message

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2 Responses to “No Middle Ground!”

  1. Betty Nybakken March 15, 2020 at 8:52 am Permalink

    Thank you, Paul! Another very timely, encouraging message straight from God’s heart! There is nothing like Holy scriptures from God’s Word to lift our hearts in praise and thanksgiving that we serve a God so powerful that even the winds and waves obey Him! Thanks for sharing His precious promises that causes Fear to flee and replaces it with faith and hope and confidence that God is ‘working all things together for our good and is our safe place in times of trouble granting us peace in the midst of a storm!

  2. Betty Nybakken March 15, 2020 at 8:53 am Permalink

    Another very timely, encouraging message straight from God’s heart! There is nothing like Holy scriptures from God’s Word to lift our hearts in praise and thanksgiving that we serve a God so powerful that even the winds and waves obey Him! Thanks for sharing His precious promises that causes Fear to flee and replaces it with faith and hope and confidence that God is ‘working all things together for our good and is our safe place in times of trouble granting us peace in the midst of a storm!

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