The Wealth in His Words

"Under His wings you may seek refuge.  His faithfulness is a shield and a bulwark."  Psalm 91:4

It's one of countless beautiful verses...like music to my weary, or frightened, or worry-consumed soul.  A few days ago I started unpacking these words.  Meditation is the spiritual discipline that my Devotional book has me in at the moment.  I confess that this continues to be a learning curve for me.  The phrase..."if you can worry, you can meditate" has gently haunted me, knowing that I am far more adept at one than the other.

But at present I am putting my energies into meditating.  As I have focused on words and sought definitions, the meaning in the verse above has virtually exploded.
 
When I reflect on the wings of a bird, my mind soars to pictures of shelter and protection and warmth.

Words which are similar to refuge might be, sanctuary, safehold, or haven.

The term shield can mean defend, guard, secure. 

I sense strength in the picture of a bulwark...fortification, defense work, rampart, fence, barrier, enclosure. 

Oh what a wealth of protection, love, safety and surety in the refuge and faithfulness of God!!!  I can hide under His wings anytime I choose!! 

Did you notice that?  "...you MAY seek refuge."  I believe it's my choice.  I choose if I will run to the sanctuary that is Him, with my ruminating worries, or overwhelming burdens. 

So often is it not until I collapse into His rest, that I stop long enough to recognize the magnitude of His faithfulness.  It is so all encompassing! 

There is a wealth in His utterances, a richness beyond even what I am able to grasp.  To think He gave us page after page after page of such priceless truths!

"O God...quicken my spirit to delve more earnestly into such a vast expanse."

Intimately Acquainted

A month ago I began reading "A Year With God"--Living Out the Spiritual Disciplines, edited by Richard J. Foster and Julia L. Roller.  I had been searching for a devotional book to assist me in my quiet moments with God.  I tend to lean towards having some type of guide to lead and challenge me in my quest to know Him.

The timing of this book has been wonderfully  purposeful.  My first twenty-five days I spent in the Spiritual Practice of Looking for God and Learning from Jesus.  During this time I was faced with a situation which required a response from me.  I know that what I was studying with God, drew me deeper into Him, and compelled me to convey my heart in a more Christ-like fashion.

Today, I began the Spiritual Practice of Simple Prayer.  Remarkably, this evening had been set aside for my husband and I to meet with some friends to pray!  We are deeply burdened for a friend, and one of our foursome challenged us to a more concerted prayer time.  It was beautiful to hear and express, heartfelt, earnest prayers on behalf of someone we love.

And what I'm struck with is... He knew!  God knew that this particular book would provide direction and challenge and encouragement in the unfoldings of my life and those around me.  It shouldn't surprise me.  Psalm 139:3b expresses what David knows to be true... "You are intimately acquainted with all my ways."  Now I suppose to some that might be unnerving.  God knows everything I do??!!!  Yikes!!  But for me, these words have always been comforting.  I relish God's intimate knowing of me and what is transpiring in my life. Truly, I desire God to be this intimate, this creative, this involved. 

I know that there are countless times that I miss the ways in which He is expressing His intimacy towards me.  But recently, my eyes are wide open.

I'm so in awe of Him.