Devotional thoughts - Lent 2013 - Day 36

Today’s Our Daily Bread devotional says in part:

Even when the storms of life hit so hard that we nearly break from the force, the “rain” is not an enemy. Our loving God has allowed it to make us stronger. He uses the water that batters us on the outside to build us up on the inside, so we may stand straight and strong.

That part about the rain not being an enemy made me think about what I heard on the news the other day as they were reporting on a storm system that was rolling through the city.  Before the storm came, the unseasonably warm weather had given way to some cooler temperatures.  Then the storm came with tornado warnings and hail – in some places reportedly as large as baseballs.  As the meteorologists were discussing the pattern and activity of the storm while on the air, they mentioned how rapidly it was moving and dissipating through the parts of the state where the “cold wedge” of air we had been experiencing was present.  In the areas which had been warmer, the effects of the storm were more severe.  They stated that the cooler air which some may have felt was uncomfortable (and therefore unwelcome) was actually a protection during the storm, lessening the storm’s intensity.

Romans 8:28

Amplified Bible (AMP)

²⁸ We are assured and know that [God being a partner in their labor] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose.

New Living Translation (NLT)

²⁸ And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.

New Century Version (NCV)

²⁸ We know that in everything God works for the good of those who love him. They are the people he called, because that was his plan.

 

LORD, Dear Lord, thank You for Your good and wise plans and purposes for our lives, and for everything that affects us and all of Your creation such that You are glorified and magnified.  I am so grateful that our steps are ordered, and that You work in, for, through, by and even around us.  May Your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.  Amen.

… and my journey with Him continues …

The Accident that DIDN’T happen!

Song: Doxology, by Helen Baylor (http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x4aa6o_doxology-by-helen-baylor_music)

Scripture: (all New International Version, ©2010 translation)
Joshua 24:17
It was the LORD our God himself who brought us and our parents up out of Egypt, from that land of slavery, and performed those great signs before our eyes. He protected us on our entire journey and among all the nations through which we traveled.

Ezra 8:31
On the twelfth day of the first month we set out from the Ahava Canal to go to Jerusalem. The hand of our God was on us, and he protected us from enemies and bandits along the way.

Psalm 5:11
But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you.

Psalm 20:1
[ Psalm 20 ] For the director of music. A psalm of David. May the LORD answer you when you are in distress; may the name of the God of Jacob protect you.

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

Psalm 40:11
Do not withhold your mercy from me, LORD; may your love and faithfulness always protect me.

Psalm 91:14
“Because he loves me,” says the LORD, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.

***************************************************

I watched the television coverage of the storm watch, paying special attention to the scenes of cars sliding around on the ice. I know what that feels like, to lose control of the vehicle you are driving. That happened to me most recently the other week:

Driving along in the rain, I remember thinking about things for which I had prayed that didn’t seem to be manifesting. Wondering if I had heard correctly what to pray, or if there was some error in my understanding either about the situation for which I was praying or in how I was to pray, I began getting thoughts that maybe I shouldn’t pray at all.

That’s when the car hit a slick part of the road, hydroplaned and veered right. Since I had been in the right-most of the three lanes going in my direction, the car then hit the uneven grade of the highway shoulder, which (with maybe a slight left turn of the steering wheel?) sent it swerving left, all the way back into the highway’s middle lane. That’s where I remember getting control of the car as it straightened up and continued on as if nothing out of the ordinary had happened.

I looked around, and saw that there were no cars near me on the highway at all. I was about to get anxious, thinking about what could have happened had other cars been around, when a calm peacefulness seemed to descend upon me. I leaned back in the seat, and breathed a prayer of thanks to God for His protection. That’s when I was reminded that I had prayed for safe travel for this trip, and realized that what had just happened was part of God’s answer to that prayer. Considering the direction of my thoughts just before this incident, I can only be grateful to God, and leave the answering of prayers that I pray to His faithfulness, compassion, grace, mercy, and wisdom.

…and my journey with Him continues…