“The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, and He delivers them.” Psalm 34:7

A few years ago, I was driving home from a birthday party. It was raining and dark. I came to an intersection and was driving through when the light turned yellow. At that exact moment, a car turned left through the intersection and drove right in front of me. I didn’t even have time to put on the brakes. I hit the car.

I had never had an accident before and had always dreaded the thought of it.  When the car stopped moving, I sat there a little dazed and prayed, “Lord, I’ve never had an accident before, what do I do now?” I had just finished my prayer when a man came to the car and asked, “Are you OK?”  I told him that I was, but I wasn’t sure what to do next. He said he would call the police.

The front of my car was buckled and steaming so I got out to check the damage. The damage was extensive and I realized the car was probably a write-off. The incredible thing about that evening was that I was perfectly calm. The Lord surrounded me with such calmness that I knew it was a miracle. I remember thinking, “I think I’m supposed to be crying or something.”

The police called my husband, our daughter and son-in-law. They were all more shaken up than I was. I was able to be at work the next day. Recognizing God’s protection and peace in traumatic circumstances, I rejoiced and was filled with overwhelming love for Him.

Dear God, thank you for surrounding us and filling us with your peace. Thank you for sending people when we need help. Thank you for your presence. Thank you that you never leave or forsake us.  Amen.

by Katherine Kehler
Used by Permission

Further Reading

•  Life Can Bring Joy out of Sorrow by Norma Becker
•  Fully Surrender to the Lord
•  Salvation Explained

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The post He Grants Protection and Serenity appeared first on Thoughts About God.

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

My heart feels like it is breaking into a million pieces.  I fight back tears as I load my SUV with suitcases from the weekend trip to Boone.  The luggage is heavy but not as ponderous as my burdened heart feels at the moment.

“How could this trip turn into such a disaster?” I think quietly to myself as I replay the weekend’s events in my mind.

The mountain trip was supposed to be a time of relaxation and fun spent with my parents, siblings, and their families.  But this had been far from the tranquil paradise I had imagined.

The vacation started with me and my family getting lost on our way to the cabin nestled in the woods.  We made several wrong turns, thanks to our GPS, and traveled many miles out of the way.  We were horribly late arriving to the destination.  By the time we finally pulled into the driveway of our weekend home, our faces could no longer mask our stress and anxiety.

The next day, we set off on our river tubing adventure.  However, mother-nature decided not to cooperate by sending a torrential downpour.  We were chilled to the bone as we drifted down the winding river for two long hours.

Finally, my sister and I got into a heated argument.  Harsh words were spoken, and even though apologies were given, her comments continued to haunt my thoughts and heart.

This weekend has been one disappointment after another.  Nothing has gone right and all I want to do is go home.  I desire to be in my own house, away from the problems of the outside world, where I feel safe.  I need to be in my place of security, the only place I can take cover from the troubles, heartaches, and storms of the weekend behind me.

As much as I love being at home, however, nothing compares to the hiding place the Lord provides for my soul.  The world is a cruel location for a Christian.  Sometimes it is difficult to navigate through life.  Many times the obstacles and hardships prove to be too much for me to bear.  Failures, fears, and insecurities threaten me in every direction, causing me to want to shrink away unnoticed-to go to my hiding place in the Lord.

By abiding in Him, He provides peace for my weary, tired soul.  This is the place where His loves warms me…almost as if He beckons me to come in, unpack my bags, snuggle by the fire in a comfy blanket and sip hot cocoa.

The Lord’s hiding place is full of mercy, love, and grace.  He gives rest for my heart, body, and mind so that I gain enough energy to carry on.  He is my refuge from the billowing storms of life that surround me.  No matter the circumstances I go through, God is the anchor providing safety and stability in the shifting world around me.  In Him, true peace can be found.

“Heavenly Father, thank you for giving me a hiding place in the safety and shelter of Your presence.  Help me to remember You are my help in difficult times, always freely providing your endless love, protection, and peace.  In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.”

By Alisha Ritchie
Used by Permission

FURTHER READING

• Hiding Place by Mary Pinckney
• No Fear in God’s Hiding Place
• Hiding Place by Katherine Kehler

The post Homey Hiding Place appeared first on Thoughts About God.

Psalm 5:12 “For surely, O LORD, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield.”

And

Job 10:12 “You gave me life and showed me kindness, and in your providence watched over my spirit.”

Beloved one, know the assurance of your Father’s blessing, his presence, his favor, and his surrounding grace. Who you are and everything you have is the result of his favor. He is your sun and shield, and his honor validates you (Psalm 84:11). Your Abba wants to take you as his precious child right up next to his heart today. He will keep you close and make his face shine on you and be gracious to you (Numbers 6:24-25). Your Father smiles on you today with his compassion and his full blessing as you seek him (Isaiah 30:18). He has written this day of your life in his book. He knew you before you were born (Psalm 139:16). You are constantly on his mind (Psalm 139:17-18).

Be blessed to know that your Father’s providence goes before you to provide for your every need. He is with you to strengthen you and keep you from harm (1 Chronicles 4:10). Be blessed as his favor rests on his appointed work through your hands (Psalm 90:17), because his purposes and power for you are great.

Dear one, you need favor with your authorities whom God has placed over you and with those in decision-making positions (Ezra 7:27; Nehemiah 1:11). His Word says, “The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD; he directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases” (Proverbs 21:1). Be blessed as God breaks through all hindrances and uses all concerned with you to fulfill his will on your behalf.

Let your Abba protect your emotions, as he surrounds you with the shield of his presence (Psalm 5:12). He promises that weeping may endure for a night, his anger is but for a moment, but joy comes in the morning, and his favor lasts for your lifetime (Psalm 30:5). He keeps you today in the favor of his love and faithfulness (Proverbs 3:3-4). He withholds no good thing from you as you live before him blamelessly (Psalm 84:11).

Be blessed in the name of the One who rejoices today in doing you good. (Jeremiah 32:41).

By Sylvia Gunter
Used by Permission
From: www.thefathersbusiness.com

Further Reading

•  Jesus is Always There!

•  I am Thanking You right NOW  Poem/Prayer to God

•   God Is…

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The post Expect God’s Favor appeared first on Thoughts About God.

I love the cyclical effect of God’s word in our lives! As we respond to His word, He responds to us. As He draws us to Himself, our hearts are drawn to respond to back to Him.

It’s a beautiful cycle of God’s hand in our lives as we choose to bring Him into focus as we walk through our day.

Here is one of my favorite examples of this.

God tells me…

“Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.”
Proverbs 4:23

In other words I need to tend to my heart and be the gatekeeper of it… being careful what attitudes I nurse, what thoughts I allow to make paths in my mind, what images and words I allow media entertainment to deposit there. The essence of my life springs from my heart. When my heart is at peace, peace springs from within me. When my heart is flooded with anxiety, anger, or edginess that is what will spring forth. My entire life is affected by the wellspring of my heart.

Then God tells me exactly how HE will guard my heart and mind and help me tend to the wellspring of my heart.

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus”. Philippians 4:4-6

Prayer & reflection:

Lord God,
Today I choose to guard my heart by turning my focus to You and rejoicing in all You are to me.
Today I choose to be aware of Your constant presence with me and to allow Your presence to impact my responses with a gentleness of spirit.
Today I choose to see my worries as a call to prayer and to present each one to You.
Today I choose to live thankfully knowing You are able to handle all that concerns me today.
Today, as I choose to guard my heart, I praise You that Your peace, which is beyond understanding, will guard my heart and mind in Christ Jesus.
What a beautiful circle. Thank you Lord Jesus, for Your amazing grace and peace.
I pray this in Your powerful name, amen.

by Gail Rodgers
Used by Permission

Further Reading

•   Peace or Panic?
•  Fully Surrender to the Lord
•  Salvation Explained

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The post Protected by Peace appeared first on Thoughts About God.