Category: Psalms

  • Squirreled Away

    Store up God’s Word in your heart.

    Grey Squirrel

    We often get a pair of squirrels visiting the feeder in our  backyard. They never come together, but we frequently see them as a pair elsewhere. The male is jet black and the female is gray.

    She’s the tamest of the pair and will often stay around if I talk to her or move slowly. On the other hand, as soon as I’m near, he takes off like a shot.

    We often see squirrels on our walks in the various local area parks, and I like to take pictures of them. This one was used to being fed and was quite determined to get us to give him a treat. He failed, but I did get to photograph him.

    Thinking of squirrels brought to mind the old expression “Squirreling away.” One dictionary defines this verb as: “to stash or hide; to hoard, collect, save, or accumulate; to create a reserve, stash, or hoard of some supply, so as to recall a squirrel’s burying of nuts.”

    Most of us squirrel away something. We might save a little cash away for a rainy day. Perhaps we have a secret stash of a favorite treat for one of “those” days.

    The bible speaks of us squirreling something away, although it doesn’t use that term

    I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. Psalm 119:11 ESV

    For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws into their minds, and write them on their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Hebrews 8:10 ESV

    And you show that you are a letter from Christ delivered by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts. 2 Corinthians 3:3 ESV

    I delight to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart. Psalm 40:8 ESV

    God’s truth, love, and Spirit are squirreled away in our hearts.

    We strengthen those hiding places through regular prayer, worship, and fellowship. We entrench them further by reading and memorizing His Word.

    If you found yourself in a situation where the Bible was not handy or available at all, how much could you bring to mind?

    Read the Word and commit it to memory, Squirrel away His truth in your heart.

    Be blessed

    Hallelu Yah / Praise God 

    Kevin

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  • In The Shadows

    Encouragement in the 23 Psalm

    sun breaking through forest shadows

    We walked along the heavily shadowed forest trail. Underneath  our feet, the moss and evergreen needles padded our footsteps. We enjoyed hearing the songs of the chickadees who seemed to be following along with us on our walk, and listened to the sound of a bubbling stream nearby.

    Periodically, we’d hit a spot where the sun shone brightly, then we were back in the shadows before long. The shadows didn’t mean the sun wasn’t there; they meant the trees shielded us from seeing it temporarily.

    Life can be that way at times. Life’s troubles can make it seem like God isn’t there, yet He remains the same all-powerful, all-knowing, ever-present loving God even when times are dark.

    The Scriptures repeatedly tell us that He will never leave or forsake us. King David understood this truth and proclaimed it in a familiar Psalm.

    The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Psalm 23 NIV

    David knew many dark times, including extended periods when his enemies actively sought to kill Him. He also knew the power and faithfulness of God, and that come what may, He was secure in the Lord’s hands. He knew that even if they succeeded, he would be with the Lord forever.

    We live in dark times. People are more frightened than I recall ever seeing before. The shadows are falling over us.

    We don’t have to be fearful because the Lord’s mercies are new every morning, and His faithfulness is great. He is still on the throne when the shadows threaten to overwhelm us.

    The world can strip us of everything but cannot separate us from Christ. Through Him, we are victorious.

    Fear not, my friends.

    Be blessed

    Hallelu Yah / Praise God 

    Kevin

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