When things go wrong... we need a safe place.  A devotional meditation at AnExtraordinaryDay.net

 

When things go wrong, what do you do?

More times than I can count, I’ll talk to someone close to me.

I’m not suggesting that there is anything wrong with that…. except that GOD should be our FIRST go-to person/place.

You see… we need others…

even more we NEED God.

 

When things go wrong… we need a safe place.

There’s only ONE safe place we can count on.

God.

He must be our safe place.

Join me for a brief devotional meditation that directs us to a safe place in the midst of troubling times. AnExtraordinaryDay.net

What a stack of blessing you have piled up
for those who worship you,
Ready and waiting for all who run to you
to escape an unkind world.
You hide them safely away
from the opposition.
As you slam the door on those oily, mocking faces,
you silence the poisonous gossip.
Blessed God!
His love is the wonder of the world.   

Psalm 31:19-22

I’m a slow learner.

Okay… to be clear… educationally I’m not a slow learner.  But, when it comes to following Christ and taking God at His word… yeah… I’m a slow learner.

I know.  

I believe.  

I have faith.

And…

I get stuck feet.  

I’m good at creating my own mud.  It’s sticky and like cement.

This doer doesn’t do ONE very important thing.  I don’t run to Him and hide in Him.

I want to.  I need to.  I ought to.

Little by little I am moving that way.

I’ve stopped hoarding clay and water to create my own sticky cement-like mud.

I’m working hard at not trusting from a distance.

I’m learning… slowly… to trust from His arms.

It’s the one thing He wants me to do.

And I know He wants you to do it, too.

I’m embarrassed to say that I am too much like that little child who is stiff-backed and stubborn while her loving parent is trying so gently and yet strongly to hold her close and help her know she’s safe.

“God, forgive me.  Help me to relax in you.  Help me to trust you with more than my hopeful words, but with my heart of hearts. Help me to rest in the shelter of Your love.  Please… Father… I pray in the strong Name of Jesus.  Amen.”

Sailboat at sunset on Lake Michigan. | We need a safe place.  A devotional meditation from AnExtraordinaryDay.net

Maybe you’re like me… wrestling… wanting… working… watching…

You want more than anything to BE in God’s safe place.

Forget the garden hose… get out the fire hose… do whatever you need to do to release yourself from the grip of the mud and steer clear of all those imposing obstacles.  God wants you to take your shelter in Him.  Now.

We can do this.

In HIS power… and His strength… not ours.

And HE WILL be glorified in the midst…

And we… we will be blessed.

Let’s not miss the holiness or the wholeness of this.

Will you join me?

I can’t wait to hear that you, too, are finding your rest and relief in God’s almighty shelter.

Blessed are all who take refuge in God - from Psalm 2:12 . Join me for a devotional mediation about hiding in God at AnExtraordinaryDay.net

Blessed are all who take refuge in him.

Psalm 2:12

Without God… we are nothing.

What’s in your way?  Whatever it is… it’s a cheap substitute compared to what God has for you.

Run.  Don’t walk to HIM and His shelter.  Hide there… in HIM.  

And be blessed. 

I dare you!

“We do not earn or merit anything by taking refuge in God. Hiding in something makes no contribution to the hiding place. All it does is show that we regard ourselves as helpless and the hiding place as a place of rescue.” –John Piper

 God is our hiding place… He’s our refuge… our strength… our hope… and our future.

The moment we get that and stoop down under His wings… in that moment we experience a new kind of safety… one that doesn’t worry about the kind of safety the world speaks… but a safe place where we are empowered to live boldly, courageously, full of love and grace.

When things go wrong… and they will… HIDE. 

Run to God… hide in Him… under His wings.  Immerse yourself in His Word… be quiet before Him… trust Him… and then rest in Him.

He will fight your battles… He will heal your wounds… He will suit you up and make you strong and courageous.

But first… stoop down… get on your knees.

Your blessing is waiting….

We need a safe place  It's JoyDay!  Devotional meditation from AnExtraordinaryDay.net

It’s JoyDay!

 

And time to get our joy meters soaring!

Please join me in thinking back over the past week and counting seven things for which you are thankful.  This simple exercise of counting and giving thanks is something we do each week to reset our compasses and put our eyes back on the Lord.

I’ll start…

Thank you, God for…

  1. renewing our hope.
  2. being our provider.
  3. four days of friendship and the beautiful weather you gave us.
  4. this gorgeous world you created and being able to share the beauty with our friends.
  5. the love and influence of one man in the life of a boy and the amazing young man he has become.
  6. Your Word and the life it breathes into my weary soul.
  7. tomorrow… and your blessing that awaits. 

Now…it’s YOUR turn!

List your ‘seven’ in the ‘share your extraordinary thoughts’ section below.  You’ll be glad you did.

Thank you for stopping by and leaving your sweet thoughts.

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Comments

  1. 1. Rain, which is so important to all things living.
    2. That our little puppy was not lost or hurt, just on the neighbor’s land, and didn’t know how to get back.
    3. God’s presence in the shoulder high grasses and weeds.
    4. My family, who were there when I came out of the grasses, with a cold drink and a shoulder to lean on.
    5. An unexpected check in the mail.
    6. True Southern gentlemen.
    7. An internal support for finishing my book on Proverbs 31.

    And that’s just like the last 1-2 days! I am blessed!

    • Diane says

      We’ve been light on rainfall here, too, LuAnn. I’m certain the farmers are concerned.
      I LOVE all the ways God has blessed you in just a few days…. praising God with you, my friend!
      Hope your holiday is fun and your new week blessed beyond imagination! [[hugs]]

  2. Debbi Saunders says

    Thank You God for….
    1. My job remaining full time and year round so that I have benefits/Insurance!
    2. For Your provision in meeting all my needs and those of my son!
    3. A lazy summer afternoon spent with my neighbor, nice relaxing lunch and little shopping…
    4. spending each morning with me during prayers,devotions and quiet time…just feeling your presence!
    5. Your infinite Love and Patience…
    6. the precious gift of my Son 35 years ago!
    7. for always being near!

    • Debbi… I am so very excited that God made a provision for your job… every detail, too. (I knew He would! [wink])
      Happy Birthday Jordan!! Have a wonderful holiday tomorrow and a joy-filled week ahead. <3

  3. Gwen says

    What a perfectly timed message. Run. Quickly. To God for safety! For hiding. I think to a week ago when the stench of a horrible fire filled our city and caused us to have unsafe air to breathe. But today the houses—all 250+, are rubble. It came so fast. No time to grab a thing. Just hurry. But an elderly couple did not make it. Some say they’ve lived there 55 years. They will rebuild. Others say no. It was a trailer in a park near the lake. All is gone. Even potted plants don’t have the full pots left. Now that is total loss. At an elderly age in a place that’s not had a fire. So I reflect. Most people did not scream when interviewed. There was some hope left. I’ll move on or I will rebuild.
    Who does a person run to??? Churches have collected a lot of new items and gift cards to hand out to victims. Did any cry out to God for help ? That did not know Him? I do not know.
    But in this week of very serious news in my family I ran to the Lord. Immediately. From Where does my help come??? My help comes from the Lord, maker of heaven and earth. I’m sad with the news. Scared. And so I must run to Jesus often.
    Singing a few hymns with mom
    Three friends writing they will be praying over these serious things
    Laughter
    Kids swam in my pool
    A quick outing
    But I’m sad

    • Hiding in God is so contrary to what we typically learn… but in the difficult days there’s no better place, is there? Gwen… I’m praying now for your town and for your family. May the God of all comfort hold you close. {{hugs}}

  4. Debbie says

    I’m guilty as charged. I do not run but know I should. I try to do things on my own strength while asking Jesus at the same time to help me. Shame on me! I need to try harder. I’m stuck in the muck.
    1. Thankful Jesus is always watching over me
    2. Thankful for air conditioning in this hot and humid weather. Some don’t have even a fan.
    3. Always thankful for my wonderful son who helps me out so much and loves me!
    4. For good friends checking in on me.
    5. An anxious week, but Jesus saw me through it with His help.
    6. Dealing with this anxiety and thankful for the few breaks in between when I feel almost normal.
    7. Thankful for the sweet lady at Verizon for helping me get my phone fixed. She was so nice!
    I’m thankful for your post Diane. It was right on target and I needed to hear this. I hope you have a wonderful
    and safe Fourth of July!

    • We had plans today to spend the day at the beach, but it was so cloudy it felt like rain… which never came… so we just chilled at home. After a very busy month… it was a good thing.

      Debbie… I really believe that surrendering our own wills is the hardest thing to do. We’ll get there… step by step. Yes?

      Thanks for sharing your ‘seven’ and have a blessed week, my friend!

  5. linda says

    Thank you for being soverign God
    for mercy and grace in time of need
    for friends who listen
    for grandchildren who remind me of simple joy

  6. Good words today Diane. This past couple of weeks we have been dealing with some deep, deep pain with a family member and I have had a lot of time alone with God, fighting a spiritual battle on this person’s behalf. It was hard not to call a friend and share my pain but every time I was ready to pick up the phone I knew that God wanted me to come only to Him. He meets us in our deepest need.
    Here we go:
    1. I’m thankful that I had the last two weeks with one of my daughters in my home to rest and play and love on each other.
    2. I’m thankful for my son-in-law (he got to come for a long weekend too) who is such a loving and devoted husband to my girl.
    3. I’m thankful that one of my blogging friends, now my real life friend, came for an overnight stay with her family. What wonderful people I have come to know in the blogging community.
    4. I’m thankful for this time of year when I can sit for long spells on my screened porch and soak up God’s goodness.
    5. I’m thankful that God sustains us through the highs and the lows and that we can rest in knowing that He is Sovereign.
    6. I’m thankful for the opportunity to attend She Speaks later this month. I’m terrified that I have to speak for 10 minutes and be critiqued by a panel but I know that fear is not from God and he will give me the words to say and the confidence to deliver.
    7. I’m thankful for a husband who chooses to lead spiritually, even though I sometimes like to take over. He is very patient with me.
    Thank you Diane for a place to share how we are grateful 🙂
    Patti

    • Thanks, Patti! You know… I do believe there is a time for talking with friends or asking for prayer, but there are times when God wants us to go to Him and Him alone. I’m so glad He met you in that difficult spot.

      And thank you for taking the time to share your ‘seven.’ The goodness of God is written all over this page in your ‘seven.’ I rejoice with you in all that He is doing in your life and pray that your new week is filled with many treasured God moments. ((hugs))

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