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Encouragement 11-21-03




November 21, 2003

Encouragement for Today

 

Safe in His Arms

Wendy Pope

 

Key Verse: 

 

Like a shepherd, He will tend His flock, In His arm He will gather the lambs, and carry them in His bosom: He will gently lead the nursing ewes.  Isaiah 40:11 ( NASB)

 

Devotion: 

 

The transition from crib to the big bed was supposed to be an easy one for my three year old son.  After all, it had been easy for my daughter.  Aren’t siblings supposed to react to changes in similar ways?  They have the same basic gene pool.  I have discovered this to be untrue.  God had a lesson for me to learn and chose my young son to be His vessel of truth.

 

The first few nights my son came down stairs to say that he was scared in his new bed I was sympathetic and lovingly carried him back to his room.  I used kind words to reassure him that he was safe and I would not ever let anyone hurt him.  We would pray and “thank God for his new bed, asking Him to protect Griffin until morning”.  He would go back to sleep for a few hours and then the same scenario would be played out all over again.

 

As it is with all mommies sleep is very important to me.  I admit that I am not usually happy when awakened in the middle of the night, for any reason.  When it happens many times a night and many nights in row, the sleep deprivation begins to take its toll on me.  However, I knew this was “just” an adjustment time for my son and that it would pass. 

 

Then one night when he called out, I decided that it was time for the adjustment to be over.  I was tired of getting up.  He was going to sleep in his bed all night even if I had to Velcro him in.  As I headed upstairs (very loudly I might add) I could feel my alter ego taking over as I found my son at the top of the stairs, in his usual place waiting for me.  It was at that moment my Heavenly Father revealed to me a picture of love I will never forget.

 

As I gathered my son in my arms ready to be “not so nice” he asked me to sing “Jesus Loves Me”.  I don’t have to tell you it is very difficult to sing “Jesus Loves Me” when you don’t have a single feeling of love in your heart.  As I begrudgingly began to sing God used Griffin to remind me of a few things:

 

  • My son knew where to go when he had a need.
  • My son knew where he felt most safe.
  • My son knew what words would make him experience peace.
  • My son wasn’t afraid to “once again” come from help.

 

Finishing the song, I took him to his bed and stretched out beside him.  Griffin reached for my hand. As he placed his small hand in my much larger hand, God whispered to my spirit ever so sweetly and gently, “This is how you should be toward Me, My child.  Don’t go to anyone else before you bring your fears and your needs to me.  Don’t ever hesitate to ask for help over and over again.  I love you.  You can rest peacefully in the shelter of My love for you.  You can trust me to always be here for you when you need to crawl in my arms.  I am the only One who will give you what you need.”  Both Griffin and I rested – unafraid and safe in the arms of God.

 

My Prayer for Today:  

 

I praise you Lord that you love me with a stubborn love.  Help to remember to come to you first when I am in need.  Help me to believe in faith that You will keep me safe and secure even when I am afraid.  Amen.

 

Application Steps:

 

Make a list of your greatest fears.

 

Prayerfully read this list and surrender them one by one to God.

 

Keep this list of fears in your Bible, noting how God works to eliminate them from your life.

 

Reflection Points:

 

Who do I run to in times of trouble? 

 

When I am afraid, why don’t I run to God?

 

According to Psalm 27:1 who is my defense?

 

What keeps me from totally trusting God?

 

What is the real meaning of “worry” and how is worry sin?

 

Power Verses:

 

Psalm 91:1 He who rests in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shelter of the Almighty.     (NIV)

 

Isaiah 25:4 You have been a refuge for the poor, a refuge for the needy in his distress, a shelter from the storm and a shade from the heat.  (NIV          )

 

Isaiah 41:10 Do not fear for I am with you.  (NASB)

 

Additional Resources:

 

Seven Life Principles for Every Womanby Lysa TerKeurst and Sharon Jaynes

http://wwwgospelcom.net/p31/resources/sevenlife.html


Intimate Moments with God by Various Authors Including Sharon Jaynes

http://www.gospelcom.net/p31/resources/intimatemoments.html


How to Live a Life of Victory
by Mary Southerland

http://www.gospelcom.net/p31/resources/victoryset.html