Author: Jayne Lawson

“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” Romans 8:1

We like to think we don’t judge people, but the truth is, we do. Everyone does. It may not be intentional, but it happens all the time. Maybe it’s someone we see in the grocery store whose clothes or hair are a bit unconventional. Maybe it’s someone who cuts us off when we’re driving on the freeway. Maybe it’s in the past of someone that we refuse to let go. Whatever the reason, we tend to make judgments.

Sometimes we say things that come out totally wrong, and we offend someone even though we never intended to do so, and so we are judged by our words. Sometimes we are judged by the actions of a family member. Sometimes we are judged by past sins, and sometimes we are judged simply for who we are. Sometimes we judge, and sometimes we are the judged. No one is immune. We may not admit it to ourselves, but it happens.

I may be judged by people, but I am so glad that I am no longer judged by God. When I accepted Christ as my Saviour, He forgave all my sins, past, present, and future! I am no longer judged for my mistakes, my misguided thoughts, my wrong actions. Why? Because of Romans 8:1 – “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus.” None. However, the removal of God’s judgment does not remove the responsibility I have to live my life in a godly manner.

Therefore, I must work hard to avoid judging people. It is wrong of me to do so. From God’s perspective, I am no different than them. No better, no worse. I must learn to look at people through the eyes of Christ. The loving, forgiving, accepting eyes of Christ. When I consider those who have hurt me, or those who don’t exactly do what I would do in given situations, or those who are different from me, I must remember that Jesus loves them as much as He loves me. He died for them, just like He died for me. I have no right to judge others for any reason. I do have the responsibility to love them like Christ loves them. With His help, I am learning to do just that, and I know I can do it because Philippians 4: 13 reminds me that “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”

Just as I am, thou wilt receive,
wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve;
because thy promise I believe,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

(from “Just As I Am” by Charlotte Elliott)

“Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.” 1 Corinthians 4:5

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“Do not judge someone’s story by the chapter you walked in on.” – Anonymous

“But be not thou far from me, O LORD: O my strength, haste thee to help me.” Psalm 22:19

As citizens of the United States, we have certain rights that are guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution. A few examples of these rights include the freedom of worship, the right to keep and bear arms, the right to due process, and the right to peaceful assembly. These rights are not earned; they are a part of one’s citizenship. If people feel that their rights have been infringed upon, they will often become upset and demand their rights be reinstated.

As Christians, we have certain “rights” as well. The Bible explains the rights that God gives us when we accept Christ as our Saviour. There is nothing we have to do to receive them except first accept God’s gift of salvation through His Son, Jesus Christ. Like our political rights, we cannot earn our spiritual rights. They are part of our citizenship in heaven, which we obtain upon becoming Christians. Here is a partial list of our “rights.”

In America, a citizen also has certain responsibilities, such as voting or defending the Constitution. It is interesting to note that our civic responsibilities are often not demanded or exercised. Sometimes they are not even regarded as important, so they are often neglected or ignored. Citizens can be quick to demand their rights, but reluctant to meet their civic responsibilities.

Along with the rights, Christians also have responsibilities, but sadly, sometimes those responsibilities are disregarded as well. Here is a partial list of spiritual responsibilities.

Rights, whether civic or Christian, are passively acquired; responsibilities require action. It’s easy to accept one’s rights, but it takes courage to step up and be responsible as a citizen and as a Christian.

It may not be on the mountain’s height, or over the stormy sea;
It may not be at the battle’s front, my Lord will have need of me;
But if by a still, small voice He calls, to paths that I do not know,
I’ll answer, dear Lord, with my hand in Thine, I’ll go where You want me to go.

I’ll go where You want me to go, dear Lord, o’er mountain, or plain, or sea;
I’ll say what You want me to say, dear Lord, I’ll be what You want me to be.

(from “I’ll Go Where You Want Me To Go” by Mary Brown)

“Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.” James 2:17

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Are you a passive or active follower of Jesus?

“Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” 2 Peter 1:4

A promise is “a declaration, written or verbal, made by one person to another, which binds the person who makes it, either in honor, conscience or law, to do or forbear a certain act specified.” (Webster’s 1828 dictionary). There was a time when promises were made by the spoken word or a handshake, and there was no doubt that those making the promises would keep them. That is not so today.

A person’s word or handshake doesn’t mean the same today as it did in bygone years. Promises are broken much more often today than in the past. For example, marriage vows traditionally include the promise to remain married until death, yet divorce rates skyrocket with approximately 40-50% of marriages in America ending through legal separations. Another example is seen when politicians make a plethora of promises during their campaigns. Often those promises fall by the wayside once the politician is in office. Lastly, think about advertising. How many products promise outcomes that never come to fruition? Use a specific toothpaste for shiny white teeth, or drink a particular drink and the pounds will fall off. We are faced with broken promises in so many aspects of life that it can make a person skeptical when hearing someone say, “I promise!”

There is, however, one who has never broken a promise. When God makes a promise, He keeps it! His promises are all throughout the Bible. A few examples include the promise of a son to Abraham and Sarah, the promise to never again destroy the world by a global flood, and the promise to send us a Saviour. Each of these promises was made and kept by God, and there are many more promises in the Scriptures that record how God has kept His word.

Here are five promises made by God that I especially love. One has been fulfilled in my life; one is in progress, and the last three are those whose fulfillment I am highly anticipating!

Great and Precious Promises of God

1. Promise of the Holy Spirit – “Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.” (Acts 2:33) God fulfilled this promise to me when I accepted Christ as my Saviour.
2. Promise of long life – “Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;)” (Ephesians 6:2; see also Exodus 20:12) The Bible says that man lives approximately threescore and ten (70) years. I am not that old yet, but I am living out that promise right now!
3. Promise of eternal life – “And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life.” (1 John 2:25) One day, I will go to heaven and eternity with God will begin. This is a future promise for me.
4. Promise of the crown of life – “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.” (James 1:12) This is a future promise that will be fulfilled when I am in heaven.
5. Promise of Jesus’ return – “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9) This is a future promise, but there are signs that it could be fulfilled very soon.

Because God has never failed to keep a promise, it gives me the assurance that what He has promised regarding the future will come to pass. God has never made a promise He did not intend to keep. His Word is solid and true; we can depend upon it forever.

Standing on the promises of Christ my King,
Through eternal ages let His praises ring,
Glory in the highest, I will shout and sing,
Standing on the promises of God.

Standing, standing,
Standing on the promises of God my Savior;
Standing, standing,
I’m standing on the promises of God.

(from “Standing On The Promises” by Russell Kelso Carter)

“For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the LORD that hath mercy on thee.” Isaiah 54:10

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“I build on Christ, the rock of ages; on his sure mercies described in his word, and on his promises, all which I know are yea and amen.” – John Wesley

“Hearken unto this, O Job: stand still, and consider the wondrous works of God.” Job 37:14

The book of Job centers on a man who has lost everything… his home, his livelihood, and his children. In despair, Job wishes he had never been born and questions God’s reasoning in it all. In the 37^th chapter of this book, Elihu is asking Job how he can take issue with God, and admonishes him to remember who God is by taking time to think about all the things God has done. Elihu urges Job to calm down and reflect upon the works of God seen in nature, things that man cannot explain or control.

These works are described as “wondrous.” According to several online dictionaries, the word “wondrous” is defined as “inspiring a feeling of delight; that is to be marveled at; astounding, or amazing.” Sometimes we need to take a step back and allow time to reverently ponder the “wondrous works of God.”

Consider these.

1. One tiny cell replicates itself and then begins to differentiate in its duplication to eventually form a human being with different organ systems that work perfectly together for a lifetime.
2. Planet Earth revolves around the sun at the perfect distance to sustain life. A little bit more one way or the other in its orbit would alter the planet’s ability to support any type of living organism.
3. Plant life was designed to produce oxygen as a waste product, which humans and animals need to live. Meanwhile, humans and animals produce carbon dioxide as a waste product, and that is a key part of the photosynthetic process of plants.
4. God created newborn baby kangaroos (the size of a grain of rice to a jelly bean) with the instinct to crawl up its mother’s abdomen and into a huge pouch to locate the spot from which it can attach itself and obtain nourishment to continue its development.
5. When our skin is damaged, it can mend itself, often without leaving any trace of the injury. It also helps regulate body temperature, releases waste products, acts as a barrier to harmful things, protects against UV radiation, produces vitamin D, and allows us to evaluate our environment through sensations such as heat, pressure, and pain.
6. Nitrogen is a necessary component for life that is found in our atmosphere (78%), but it is in an unusable form. Through precipitation, nitrogen is converted to a form than can be used by plants, and thus life continues.
7. Everything in our body gets time to rest, even if it’s just for a small amount of time. Everything that is, except the heart. Once the heart begins beating, it continues nonstop. It can be overworked and abused, but it continues beating on the average of 72 times a minutes throughout a person’s lifetime. No other muscle can do this.
8. Waves of energy travel through the air, hit a tiny flap of tissue in your head, transmits those vibrations through bone and fluid to a tiny piece of nervous tissue that takes it to your brain which interprets that as sound.

These works of God are often taken for granted or attributed to an evolutionary accident. It’s time to look at these and many more for what they actually are – wondrous works of God!

Perhaps we should all take Elihu’s advice to Job.

There’s the wonder of sunset at evening,
The wonder as sunrise I see;
But the wonder of wonders that thrills my soul
Is the wonder that God loves me.

There’s the wonder of springtime and harvest,
The sky, the stars, and the sun;
But the wonder of wonders that thrills my soul
Is a wonder that’s just begun.

O, the wonder of it all! The wonder of it all!
Just to think that God loves me.
O, the wonder of it all! The wonder of it all!
Just to think that God loves me

(from “The Wonder of It All” by George Beverly Shea)

“And they were all amazed, and they glorified God, and were filled with fear, saying, We have seen strange things to day.” Luke 5:26

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What wondrous works come to your mind when you think of God?

“And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.” Romans 5:5

When it comes to love, actions always speak louder than words. Maybe that’s why Valentine’s Day finds our loved ones showered with flowers, candy, and cards. We are showing our love for someone by our actions.

A little more than 2,000 years ago, God put His words of love into action by sending His Son, Jesus to become our Saviour. It is because of this great love that we are “Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;” (Titus 2:13) when we will be united with the Lord forever.

The hope we cling to as Christians will never cause us to be ashamed. Why? Because we known that God does indeed love us! His love is decreed throughout the Bible, and its foundation is sure! God’s love penetrates our hearts and souls, and we know without a doubt that we are the object of His divine love. Perhaps the most famous Bible verse, John 3:16, affirms this love for us. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Not only did He sacrifice His beloved Son, Jesus, but He did so while we were still His enemy. Romans 5:8 tells us “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Even knowing how depraved we would be, how sinful we would live, the Bible also says in Jeremiah 31:3 that “The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.” God has loved us forever and will continue to do so!

Additionally, God wanted us to have no misconceptions about the extent of His love, so He gave us His Holy Spirit to confirm this great love for us through the illumination of the Scriptures, which testify to the enormity of His love for us. Here are a few verses that manifest the love of God.

“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13

“For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39

“Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” 1 John 4:10

“But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)” Ephesians 2:4-5

Whether you receive a remembrance of love from someone or not on this Valentine’s Day, you do have a gift from God to remind you of His great love for you. It’s the Bible, God’s Holy Word. Still not convinced? Open it up and go to the concordance. Look up the word “love,” then read those verses. When you are finished, there will be no doubt that God loves you! Happy Valentine’s Day!

In letters of crimson, God wrote His love
On a hillside so long, long ago
For you and for me, Jesus died
And love’s greatest story was told

I love you, I love you
That’s what Calvary said
I love you, I love you
I love you, written in red

(from “Written in Red” by Gordon Jensen)

“Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.” Matthew 22:37

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Is God your valentine? If so, how have you shown your love for Him?

“And the mountains shall be molten under him, and the valleys shall be cleft, as wax before the fire, and as the waters that are poured down a steep place.” Micah 1:4

Providence Canyon is known as Georgia’s “little Grand Canyon’ because of its colorful layers of sandstone and clay. With sixteen canyons total, it is a beautiful geological formation in southern Georgia. When I visited this site, I was struck by how much it reminded me of Arizona’s Grand Canyon.

The world-view scientific consensus is that the Grand Canyon began to be carved by the Colorado River about 5 million years ago, give or take a few hundred thousand years. One would assume that Providence Canyon also took a long time to form, but that’s not the case.

According to the Georgia Department of Education, “In the late 1800s people cleared the land of trees to farm the area. They took no measures to avoid soil erosion, so the small gullies from heavy rains continued to form and get deeper. By the 1850s these trenches were up to three feet deep causing a path for the water to continue to erode the soils during each heavy rain.” Apparently, we have Providence Canyon as a result of poor farming techniques.

It clearly doesn’t take millions of years to form a canyon, and while it may have taken more than 200 years for the Grand Canyon to form, there isn’t a compelling argument to insist that it’s formation took as long as traditionally believed. It is more believable that a worldwide flood 6,000 years ago carved Arizona’s famous landmark as waters receded, especially when you look at the short history of Providence Canyon’s formation.

“The mountains quake at him, and the hills melt, and the earth is burned at his presence, yea, the world, and all that dwell therein.” Nahum 1:5

This is my Father’s world,
And to my listening ears
All nature sings, and round me rings
The music of the spheres.
This is my Father’s world:
I rest me in the thought
Of rocks and trees, of skies and seas–
His hand the wonders wrought.

(from “This is My Father’s World” by Maltbie D. Babcock)

“Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding.” Job 38:4

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Never underestimate our Creator!

“Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.” Psalm 37:4

I am constantly amazed by what God does for me. Not that I doubt what He can do, it’s just that sometimes I forget how much He loves me (above and beyond saving me from my sins – as if that’s not enough!), and He actually loves to do things for me as undeserving as I am.

I love to write, and today’s blog has to do with how the Lord unexpectedly blessed me in regards to writing my latest novel. Having finished the manuscript, it was time to design a cover for the book. A few months ago, I had been sent a picture of a beautiful painting of the crucifixion. It would be perfect for my book cover! After a little bit of research, I located the artist and asked how much it would be to use his work on the cover of my book. The cost was too much for me, so I put Plan B into action. I decided to ask my granddaughter, Ryanna, if she would consider drawing the cover for me. I knew she loved to draw, and I already had several of her illustrations on display in my home.

Happily, she took the challenge and produced exactly what I wanted! It did, however, have many similarities to the original painting, and I was concerned about copyright infringement. After one email to the artist, he gave me permission (at no cost!) to use both his painting and Ryanna’s drawing any way I wanted! I was stunned in disbelief. It was incomprehensible to me that a famous artist would be “moved by the Lord” to meet my need (his words). God blessed me in a way I had never expected! Ephesians 3:20-21 states “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.”

It was more than I could have ever asked for… in fact, it truly was more than I asked for because I had never taken this matter to the Lord in prayer. I never considered asking him to intervene because I thought that it was too small a thing with which to bother God, but Ephesians 3:20 says that God is able to do “exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think…!”  He truly did bless me above all that I thought could be possible for my cover design!

When I shared this with my daughter, she reminded me that God delights in giving His children the desires of their hearts even when they don’t ask Him for it. It’s hard to admit how forgetful I am at times in my relationship with God. I forget He really does cares about the little things. I forget He loves me as a father loves his child (Matthew 7:11) and how important I am to Him. “Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God? But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.” (Luke 12:6-7)

I had forgotten that God cares about even the smallest things in our lives. I Peter 1:5 states “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” This verse doesn’t tell me to cast only the big things in my life; it says to cast all things upon Him. Shamefully, I asked Him to forgive me for forgetting to pray about this, and I know He forgave me without hesitation. What amazing love He has for me… and you!

Today, I am once again humbled by God’s goodness to me. I continue to be awed by what He’s done for me… how He answered a prayer I never uttered, and how He blessed me beyond anything I could have imagined. I cannot understand the love He has for me, but I am so very glad He loves me as He does!

Oh, how He loves you and me
Oh, how He loves you and me
He gave his life
What more could He give
Oh, how He loves you
Oh, how He loves me
Oh, how He loves you and me

(from “Oh, How He Loves You and Me” by Kurt Kaiser)

“Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:39

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God loves each of us as if there were only one of us. – Augustine

“Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.” Psalm 51:7

Today everything around me became a winter wonderland! The snow began to fall mid-morning, and I watched in wonder as the flakes grew larger, and their whiteness began to envelop everything. When I went outside, it was so quiet; there was an all-encompassing serenity everywhere as the snow continued to silently fall. Soon everything was blanketed in white, and then unexpectedly, the birds came out! Their songs were the only thing I could hear as they fluttered around my bird feeder.

This was a beautiful picture of the forgiveness of sin. Upon accepting Jesus’ atoning work on the cross, our sins are forgiven forever. God removes them as far as the east is from the west (Psalm 103:12), and He remembers them no more (Hebrews 8;12). We become “whiter than snow” because of His righteousness. And then, when the Holy Spirit of God illuminates our understanding and we realize who we now are in Christ, we burst forth in song as we rejoice in our salvation!

There’s within my heart a melody;
Jesus whispers sweet and low,
“Fear not, I am with you, peace, be still,”
In all of life’s ebb and flow.

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, sweetest name I know,
Fills my every longing, keeps me singing as I go.

(from “He Keeps Me Singing” by Luther B. Bridgers)

“The whole earth is at rest, and is quiet: they break forth into singing.” Isaiah 14:7

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Thank you Lord for saving my soul!

“This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24

The other day, someone asked me where I lived. I knew they were not asking for my street address, but rather a generalization with regard to where we were at the moment. I explained I lived “out in the country,” north of where we were.

I don’t usually give much thought to where I live physically. I just know I love it! Being in the country allows me to wake up to birds singing, to listen to the wind in the trees, and to see an occasional deer, opossum, or fox in the woods near my house. Similarly, I’ve never really thought about where I live spiritually. I don’t mean the church I attend, but rather, where does my heart live spiritually? There are really only three possible answers. I either live in the past, the present, or the future.

The past is the largest part of my life if you were to count it in years. Reminiscing about certain events, like birthdays, graduations, or holidays, can really bring a smile to my heart. I remember gloriously happy days when I was a newlywed. I easily recall the blessings of raising my children. Moving into my first home was another highlight as was buying my first car. I loved being in high school and hanging out with my friends. I think we all believed we could do anything in those days!

I also remember the day I accepted Christ as my Saviour. It was the best day of my life! I was so excited, and as a 12-year-old, my mission was to share Christ with everyone. It was challenging to share Him with my mother, but Fridays was always our day to spend special time together, and that is when we had our best talks about God. It took years before my mom finally was free of her Shintoist past and became a child of God. I still remember that day as if it were yesterday!

However, I should not focus my entire being on my yesterdays. The Bible says, “Say not thou, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not enquire wisely concerning this.” (Ecclesiastes 7:10) Living in the past can be quite joyful, but it can also be detrimental to my well-being. If I remember a time when I had a better job, better health, more money in my bank account, or less weight on this body, it can cause me to focus on the ‘if onlys’ and ruin my today! Comparing what was to what is can be disheartening! Dwelling in the “I remember when…” times can be nonproductive and a bad testimony to others. The Bible says in Isaiah 43:18 “Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old.”

Living in the past can be emotionally painful as it can also remind me of my former sins. When these thoughts consume me, guilt and shame resurface, and I become an ineffective witness for Christ. I forget that I have been forgiven. Psalm 103:12 states, “As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.” God doesn’t revisit my past sins, and neither should I, but when I live in the past, I forget that He has forgiven my sins and will “remember them no more” (Hebrews 10:17). I soon become enveloped by the “old me,” and my life is deprived of the joy of my salvation! The only way to escape the past is to remember that “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” (Romans 8:1).

If not in the past, then perhaps living in the future is the better choice. First of all, there is no sin there to haunt me. I am looking ahead at a clean slate, so to speak. But there is worry. Short-term worries can be overwhelming. “Will I have enough money to buy new tires for my car?” “Is this lump a sign of cancer?” “Will I remember the words of this song when I sing it in church?” Long-term worries are equally as concerning. “Will I have enough money to sustain myself through retirement?” “Will I be healthy enough to take care of myself, or will I become a burden to my family?” “Will so-and-so ever get saved?” The Bible tells me “Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself…” Matthew 6:34.

Clearly, the third option is the best. Living in the here and now. I cannot control tomorrow, nor can I erase the past. I can only impact today. “Boast not thyself of tomorrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth,” records Proverbs 27:1. There are a plethora of things in my life today that need my attention. God tells me to focus on the tasks at hand in Proverbs 16:3. “Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.” If I spend all my time wishing I could change things of the past or worrying about things in the future, I completely miss the opportunities of today! Matthew 6:25 reminds me to “…Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?”

It is important for me to listen to God today! Hebrews 3:7 says, “Wherefore as the Holy Ghost saith, Today if ye will hear his voice…” It doesn’t say ‘yesterday’ or ‘tomorrow.’ The verse says ‘today’! And then, the Scripture goes on to say, “While it is said, today if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.” (Hebrews 3:15)

The past is gone, and tomorrow will take care of itself. I need to be living in the present. Why? Because God has work for me to do, and today is the day that I must do it! He’ll let me know about tomorrow when it comes, and when it does, it will again be ‘today’! I don’t need to worry about it. God’s got it covered!

I don’t know about tomorrow, I just live from day to day
I don’t borrow from its sunshine for its skies may turn to gray
I don’t worry o’er the future for I know what Jesus said
And today I’ll walk beside Him for He knows what is ahead
Many things about tomorrow I don’t seem to understand
But I know who holds tomorrow, and I know who holds my hand

(from “I Know Who Holds Tomorrow” by Ira Stanphill)

“But exhort one another daily, while it is called today; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.” Hebrews 3:13

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Never let yesterday use up too much of today. – Will Rogers

“And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.” Mark 4:37

Rain! Rain! Rain! This morning I awoke to pounding rain, lightning, and thunder, accompanied by tornado and flash flood warnings! Yikes! It was still dark, and even with the occasional flashes of light to illuminate the sky, I wondered how I would ever see a funnel cloud approaching! While I like thunderstorms, I am not a fan of flash floods or tornadoes, so I kept an eye on the weather reports.

Sometimes troubles come into our lives, and they are just like storms. They can be scary just like a tornado warning, even to the point where you desperately seek refuge from them. Many years ago, I experienced a health crisis in my life. I definitely was overwhelmed, scared, and needed reassurance that all would be fine. It was hard to believe things would eventually be back to normal, but I had the support of my family and dearest friends to encourage me . However, now when I look back, I can see from whom I drew my greatest support.

God was and is always with me. Once I became a Christian, I became a recipient of all of God’s promises, including this one. Psalm 46:1 records that “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble,” and He has shown Himself faithful to this promise throughout the Bible.

• God was there when the Israelites had no way to escape the Egyptian army.
  • “And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the LORD caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided.” Exodus 14:21
• God was there when Daniel was thrown into a den of lions.
  • “He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.” Daniel 3:25
• God was there to help the disciples on the Sea of Galilee during a violent storm.
  • “And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.” Mark 4:39
• God was there when Peter was in prison.
  • “And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a surety, that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews.” Acts 12:11

To know that I will always be held firmly in the hand of God is what reassures me in times of trouble. There is nothing that can happen that my God cannot handle. The Bible tells me “…with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26). Because of this assurance, I can say, like the Psalmist, “I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety” (Psalm 4:8).

So let the storms rage high, the dark clouds rise
They don’t worry me, for I’m sheltered safe within the arms of God
He walks with me and naught of earth shall harm me
For I’m sheltered in the arms of God

(from “Sheltered in the Arms of God” by Dottie Rambo)

“For thou hast been a strength to the poor, a strength to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shadow from the heat…” Isaiah 25:4

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The God of the storm is also the God of the rainbow!