A Dwelling Place of Peace and Rest in Uncertain Times
I have a dwelling place of peace and rest in a world that often seems inside out and filled with uncertainty.
A Dwelling Place of Peace and Rest
A 2MefromHim Devotional
Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations. Psalm 90:1
I need a dwelling place of safety and peace through the troubled days of COVID and social unrest. It often seems our world has turned inside out, leaving us unprotected and filled with uncertainty.
Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations. Psalm 90:1 #safety #help #peace Click To TweetA Dwelling Place Safe from Evil
When the daily news brings only turmoil, I turn to the presence of my Savior and Lord. Prayer and God’s word fill me with hope and comfort. He does not leave me alone and without shelter. I have a place of rest.
Evil ran rampant in Noah’s day, yet God promised to save him. In Genesis 6, the Bible tells us: “The Lord saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time.”
When the daily news brings only turmoil, I turn to the presence of my Savior and Lord. #trouble #trials #Jesus Click To TweetA Dwelling Place for God’s Own
However, Noah was a righteous man, who walked faithfully with God. And when God told him to build an ark, he obeyed in everything he was commanded. God puts great store in obedience, in people who put Him first and walk according to the commands in His word. This relationship and careful obedience become my ark, my safe haven in a world gone mad. In Genesis 7, we read that Noah did everything the Lord commanded, and then he and his family, and all the animals, entered the ark, and “Then the Lord shut him in.”
When I stay close to the Lord, He becomes my place of refuge, my ark, safe though tossed on troubled seas. This doesn’t mean I will never experience hard times. However, I have the comfort that nothing can touch me without the express permission of God Himself.
The Lord is my place of refuge, my ark, safe though tossed on troubled seas. #trouble #refuge #peace Click To TweetWhere to Find a Place of Shelter
Jesus calls those who dwell in His word are His disciples.1 John 4:15 tells us, “Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.” The thought of dwelling and abiding with the God of the universe wraps me in a warm blanket of peace and calm. Like the old hymn by George Robinson reminds me:
His forever, only His;
Who the Lord and me shall part?
Ah, with what a rest of bliss
Christ can fill the loving heart!
Heav’n and earth may fade and flee,
Firstborn light in gloom decline,
But while God and I shall be,
I am His, and He is mine;
But while God and I shall be,
I am His, and He is mine.
God made it possible to find peace in a troubled world by sending His Son, Jesus, to dwell on earth. Revelation 3:20 says, “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.” What a perfect picture of a God who longs to be known and to know me intimately!
God made it possible to find peace in a troubled world... #peace #safety #hope Click To TweetA Dwelling Place of Eternal Safety
In a world filled with disease, riots, fires, and hurricanes, I have a haven of safety for now and all eternity. Jesus, my friend, stands with outstretched arms, saying, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11:28)
I have a haven of safety for now and all eternity. #eternity #protection #rest Click To TweetWill you come?
“He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.” John 3:36
© Norma Gail Holtman, September 21, 2020
I Am His and He is Mine by George Robinson, Public Domain
About the author:
Norma Gail writes Fiction to Refresh Your Spirit. Her contemporary novels, Land of My Dreams, which won the 2016 Bookvana Religious Fiction Award, and Within Golden Bands (released May 19, 2020), explore the theme of women whose faith triumphs over trials. A women’s Bible study leader for over 21 years, her devotionals and poetry have appeared at ChristianDevotions.us, the Stitches Thru Time blog, Inspire a Fire, and in “The Secret Place.” She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Romance Writers of America, Historical Writers of America, and the Women’s Fiction Writers Association. Norma is a former RN who lives in the mountains of New Mexico with her husband of 44 years. They have two adult children. To connect with her, you can follow her blog, or join her on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, Goodreads, BookBub, or Amazon.
Where Do You Hide When You Want to Escape?
Where do you hide when you want to escape the world? The year 2020 makes me long for a protected place to escape the news and threats that can steal my peace.
Where Do You Hide When You Want to Escape?
2MefromHim Devotionals
You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. Psalm 32:7
Where do you hide when you want to escape the world? As a child, one of my favorite hiding places was a shady corner of the backyard under a climbing rosebush. The thorny hideaway created a cool spot to read or to play dolls with the perfect place to hang their clothes. Only two people fit, so my best friend and I could hide without my little sisters intruding because of the thorns.
You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. Psalm 32:7 #protection #safety #deliverance Click To Tweet
Where Do You Hide When Trouble Threatens
When David was pursued by King Saul, he hid in the rocky caves of Israel. His Psalms reveal his trust in God’s deliverance because he believed the promise that came through the prophet, Samuel, that he would someday be king. He knew his trouble was temporary.
Dire reports of never again experiencing the freedom we knew before COVID, coupled with questions about upcoming elections, and differing ideologies haunt our waking hours. However, time spent in scripture reminds us that God is our refuge, our hiding place, a strong tower we can run into, and be safe. Our current struggles are also temporary but God’s promise to protect us is forever. In 2 Timothy 1:12, Paul writes, “I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day.”
Our current struggles are also temporary but God’s promise to protect us is forever. #trials #Godisincontrol #eternallife Click To Tweet
Where Do You Seek Deliverance
The year 2020 makes me long for a protected place to escape the news and threats that can steal my peace. How grateful I am for a Savior who promises to protect me from trouble. What comfort to know God sings songs of deliverance over me.
Part of God’s promise to be hiding place for His people is the promise of protection and deliverance. The word “deliverance” resounds in my mind often these days. Believers must pray fervently for God’s deliverance from the perils we face. We must pray for awareness of and protection from lies that confuse and frighten us. It’s hard to know what information to trust but God knows. He will reveal the truth and bring down strongholds.
Just as when I played safely under the rosebush, God will hide and protect my heart when I place my trust in Him, even if suffering is necessary. Pray fervently for His deliverance from our foes.
God will hide and protect my heart when I place my trust in Him, even if suffering is necessary. #protection #trust #Godisgood Click To Tweet
© Norma Gail Holtman, July 22, 2020
About the author:
Norma Gail writes Fiction to Refresh Your Spirit. Her contemporary novels, Land of My Dreams, which won the 2016 Bookvana Religious Fiction Award, and Within Golden Bands (releasing May 19, 2020), explore the theme of women whose faith triumphs over trials. A women’s Bible study leader for over 21 years, her devotionals and poetry have appeared at ChristianDevotions.us, the Stitches Thru Time blog, Inspire a Fire, and in “The Secret Place.” She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Romance Writers of America, Historical Writers of America, and the Women’s Fiction Writers Association. Norma is a former RN who lives in the mountains of New Mexico with her husband of 44 years. They have two adult children. To connect with her, you can follow her blog, or join her on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, Goodreads, BookBub, or Amazon.
Surrounded by God’s Great and Powerful Army
We are surrounded by a great army if Jesus is our Savior, even though we live surrounded by enemies. Dangerous enemies threaten us wherever we go.
Surrounded by God’s Great and Powerful Army
2MefromHim Devotionals
“Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” 2 Kings 6:16
We are surrounded by a great army if Jesus is our Savior, even though enemies threaten on every side. Masks and distancing ourselves have become routine. Visiting downtown areas of cities isn’t safe. Crowds aren’t safe. Elected officials cave to the demands of a few. Dangerous enemies threaten us wherever we go.
Those who are with us are more than those who are with them... 2 Kings 6:16 #devotional #protection #Godisgood Click To TweetSurrounded by a Great, Invisible Army
The prophet Elisha also lived in dangerous times. Israel faced armies and famines. Enemies were everywhere, and they hunted the prophet because God enabled him to guide Israel to victory. One morning, his servant awakened to an army surrounding the city. However, Elisha knew they were protected by an army invisible to human eyes. When he prayed, God opened his servant’s eyes to an amazing sight. 2 Kings 6:16-17 tells us, “Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire…”
As a child, our daughter was very afraid of the dark. I found a picture of a little girl in her bed guarded by an angel with a flaming sword. That image of God’s protection helped her overcome her fear.
Elisha knew they were protected by an army invisible to human eyes... #Bible #safety #COVID Click To TweetSurrounded by God’s Protection
Normal life has changed. But God has not. Whether we are besieged by disease, protests, or changes to how we shop for groceries, He is still in control. Believers are surrounded by God’s armies and nothing can harm us until or unless God allows. News reports may seek to frighten us but our faith rests in the God who will not leave us unprotected.
How might our life be different if we could see evidence of God’s protection surrounding us? Dr. David Jeremiah said, “God’s man, in the center of God’s will, is immortal, until God is through using Him.” As believers, seeking God’s will, we will not die one moment before God’s predetermined time. He will either sustain us through or deliver us from every attack until our time on earth is over.
God will either sustain us through or deliver us from attack until our time on earth is over... #Godislove #safety #assurance Click To TweetTrust in God’s Protection
Live each day to the fullest. Make wise adjustments to your plans according to the best information possible, taking the needs of you and your family into account. However, do not live in fear.
Open your eyes to the power and protection of our loving God. He will keep you safe until all His plans for you are accomplished.
You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. 1 John 4:4
Open your eyes to the power and protection of our loving God. #power #protection #Jesus Click To Tweet© Norma Gail Holtman, July 16, 2020
About the author:
Norma Gail writes Fiction to Refresh Your Spirit. Her contemporary novels, Land of My Dreams, which won the 2016 Bookvana Religious Fiction Award, and Within Golden Bands (releasing May 19, 2020), explore the theme of women whose faith triumphs over trials. A women’s Bible study leader for over 21 years, her devotionals and poetry have appeared at ChristianDevotions.us, the Stitches Thru Time blog, Inspire a Fire, and in “The Secret Place.” She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Romance Writers of America, Historical Writers of America, and the Women’s Fiction Writers Association. Norma is a former RN who lives in the mountains of New Mexico with her husband of 44 years. They have two adult children. To connect with her, you can follow her blog, or join her on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, Goodreads, BookBub, or Amazon.
Facing Feelings of Defeat – A 2MefromHim Devotional
Feelings of defeat come to us all from time to time. Such feelings come from our Enemy and must be handled by remembering who we are and to whom we belong. If God is for us, no one can defeat us. I would love to hear your comments about how you face feelings of defeat.
Read MoreFirst Do No Harm – A 2MefromHim Devotional
“First do no harm”, a familiar phrase to all medical personnel, but one that applies to Christians as well. We have the key to protection from eternal death, but it takes courage to offer it. We may face ridicule and danger, but standing up for God and right always leads to blessing.
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