Saturday / Constant Care
Read Psalm 27 (NLT)
The Lord is my light and my salvation— so why should I be afraid? The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble? When evil people come to devour me, when my enemies and foes attack me, they will stumble and fall. Though a mighty army surrounds me, my heart will not be afraid. Even if I am attacked, I will remain confident.
The one thing I ask of the Lord—the thing I seek most—is to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, delighting in the Lord’s perfections and meditating in his Temple. For he will conceal me there when troubles come; he will hide me in his sanctuary. He will place me out of reach on a high rock. Then I will hold my head high above my enemies who surround me.
At his sanctuary I will offer sacrifices with shouts of joy, singing and praising the Lord with music. Hear me as I pray, O Lord. Be merciful and answer me! My heart has heard you say, “Come and talk with me.” And my heart responds, “Lord, I am coming.” Do not turn your back on me. Do not reject your servant in anger. You have always been my helper. Don’t leave me now; don’t abandon me, O God of my salvation! Even if my father and mother abandon me, the Lord will hold me close.
Teach me how to live, O Lord. Lead me along the right path, for my enemies are waiting for me. Do not let me fall into their hands. For they accuse me of things I’ve never done; with every breath they threaten me with violence. Yet I am confident I will see the Lord’s goodness while I am here in the land of the living.
Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.
Think
When my daughter was three or so, she received a sandbox as a gift. It was green and shaped like a turtle, and she helped me set it up. We picked a spot close to the backdoor where I could look out the kitchen window and see her. We poured in the sand and she added plastic pails and shovels and cars and eagerly jumped in to play. Once she was happily focused on her toys, I quietly returned to the house. I went to the kitchen and stood in the window to watch her.
A moment later, she looked up and began to scream. I couldn’t see any dangers from where I was standing, but rushed back to her side, thinking the worst.
I got down next to the sandbox and pulled her into my arms. “What’s wrong?”
“Where you go, Mommy? I no see you.”
“I was watching you the whole time.” I pointed to the kitchen window where I’d been.
She looked back and forth from the sandbox to the window. Gradually the tears stopped, and she nodded her head. “Good, Mommy; You watch, and I be safe.”
Thinking back on that day, I realize that this is how I am with God. I go along fine, then suddenly I can’t see God, and I panic. Something scary or difficult happens and I cry out in fear or anger when I can’t feel God nearby.
Over and over again God reminds me that God is always here. Whether it’s by a perfectly timed rainbow, a kind word or help from a stranger, or the beautiful words of a Psalm, God shows me that even when out of my sight, God is always watching over me so I can be safe.
Pray
Great and amazing ever-present God, you’re my light and my salvation, my strong fortress of safety in troubled times. With confidence in your constant care for me, I can face the many challenges of life. Keep me always in your presence, Lord, and hold me close when difficulties arise. I offer shouts of joy and songs of praise to your Almighty Name. Lead me along the right path and hold me close as I try to wait patiently for all good gifts from your hand, in your time. Amen.
Do
Get out that notebook again. This time open your eyes wide and ask God to show you reminders of God’s presence every day for one week. Write down each sighting, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant. Spend a few minutes at the end of each day praying over the signs of God’s presence. Thank God that you are never alone, even in the times when you can’t see God nearby.
The View from Mt. Hope 