God Keeps Me

Hi, welcome back.

I would like to share with you a devotional I wrote several months ago, that talks about the same day as my last post, BUT it picks up where Wendy and I got off the phone-- and before I found out a few days later that God had confirmed our conversation with her. WHICH-- BY THE WAY-- IS EXACTLY 1 YEAR AGO TODAY,  JUNE 16TH!

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Devotional: God Keeps Me
March 14th

TODAY IN HIS WORD COMES FROM
(Psalms 91:4 NKJV)

He shall cover you with His feathers,And under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler.

THOUGHT TO PONDER:

As we seek His face, His will, and His Ways; God has a way of covering us and sheltering us in the shadow of His hand and under His wing, as we grow in His Grace until He is ready to do an unveiling for the world to see. He protects our baby steps as we venture out to walk in faith, until our steps are sure footed and He knows we are ready to be put to the test, and to see us stand in victory.

TODAY’S INSIGHT INTO HIS WORD:

One day last summer I decided to go out to this spot I love at the river. Now I knew it would be underwater because the river was really high at this point. However, I just had an overwhelming urge to go stand at the edge and declare my faith and step in, so I did. I got to my favorite tree and parked my car, and took a walk. I got to the place my spot should have been and sure enough, it would have been at least waist deep if I could get there. But not to be deterred, I walked a little further down and found a part in the trees and went to the water's edge.

The river was running in a strong current and I had a vivid reminder of Joshua 3:15 "the water overflows it's banks...." I wondered if the swelling waters I was seeing was anything like the high waters the Israelites faced when stepping into the Jordan River on their way to the promised land. It crossed my mind something someone had just said to me, "You must either have great faith, or you've lost your mind." As I stood there at the edge ready to step in, I have to admit; I was beginning to wonder which one it was... But stepped in I did, and as I stood there with the water around my thighs, I sang songs from memory and worshiped God. The waters didn't part that day for me, nor did I see them recede, but I was strengthened in my heart, and that was ok and enough for me.

After awhile, I walked a little further down and found a hidden little cove and sat down in the grass under some trees. As I sat there and looked around at my new little hide away, I noticed I was completely covered. Though I could see the walking trail behind me, I realized no one could see me. I had a view of the river and the water that came up to this little area was only about ankle deep and slow moving. It was beautiful, and after a bit, I realized I was not alone. There was this duck standing guard just off to my left. I was surprised that it had not moved when I came up and sat down. I was equally surprised that it was standing there not moving but just looking out at the water. I watched it for a moment and then started looking about some more, and to my surprise, I saw nestled up under the brush another duck, sitting there just as pretty as can be. Now I understood what the first duck was doing! It was standing guard-- it was there protecting this other one.  The thing was the second duck was completely hidden and sitting in the most beautiful place. The quietness and peacefulness was breath taking. I sat there for the longest time, and after a while I notice a pure white feather in the grass next to me. I picked it up and played with it. This little feather was solid white, no dirt, and so very soft. I tucked it into my Bible and crawled out of my spot to go back to my car.

I stopped at the bridge that overlooks my spot that I first went to and smiled, you couldn't see the little cove-a-sac at all. I opened my Bible and looked at the feather again, and prayed, "God, You know why I am here. You know what I hold in my heart, You know what I am believing You for, and I believe You are a good and faithful God."  I looked out over the water again and mentally thought about seeing a white feather floating in the air like a falling leaf, and wondered how long it would be before I would see some devotional mentioning a feather. I was excited thinking about it, because I knew that if (and when) I did, it would be confirmation that God had been with me, and knew what I had done-- and why. I smiled because I knew that it would show me, "Yes child, I heard your prayer, and I know why you were there at the water."

I finally made it back to my car, and decided to go by my office. When I got there, I went through the mail and picked up a few things, and then decided to go home. But, before I did, I went into what I call the family room to make sure the lights weren't on and things where picked up. I noticed that the verse of the day calendar was not correct-- no one had flipped it over, so I did. Do you know what I read? He shall cover you with His feathers,  and under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler.

I didn't have to wait for a devotional! It was already there waiting for me! AND it was in God's OWN WORDS, not something someone else had thoughtfully written. I sat down and opened my Bible and looked up Ps. 91 and then decided to do a deeper study of this passage. Now I have always loved Ps. 91 for many reasons. But that day it took on a whole new meaning for me. (I sincerely hope that you will take some time to slowly read this passage sometime soon and let God's Holy Spirit speak to you.)

I still have the little white feather, and over the past 3 months I have gone back to it many times. When the "Northeaster Storm" hit me back in December (that I wrote about the other day), it has been a great comfort to me. And I was reminded of that day last summer when I sat there by the water, that God had already known what I was going to be doing, and where I would be. And just like the duck I saw standing there guarding the other-- God was guarding me through the midst of a "raging sea." These past few months while it has seemed as if I was struggling to stand, God has been watching over me. I think about the other duck that was hidden way that no one could have seen--- I don't know why it was there, maybe it too was nursing a heartache, or maybe healing from something... maybe it was just simply resting from swimming in the strong currents of the water earlier. But whatever the reason, it had found a safe haven and there was another standing watch. And I realize that is what God has done for me.

My friend, God knows when we need shelter from the storms. He knows how much we can really take. He will stand guard and let us find rest when we really can't go anymore. But He also knows when it is time to stretch our faith and grow. There are times when we need to face the overflowing banks and stand in the water, and let the currents swirl around us. It teaches us that we too can stand. And if the waters aren't parted, then we can trust God to strengthen our hearts in Him as we simply just worship.

I would like to leave you with one more passage to meditate on today: I will lift up my eyes to the hills--from whence comes my help? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. He will not allow your foot to be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, He who keeps Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is your keeper; The Lord is your shade at your right hand. The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord shall preserve you from all evil; He shall preserve your soul. The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in from this time forth, and even forevermore. (Psalms 121:1-8 NKJV)

Have a wonderful and blessed day,

Kassie

http://www.cypressministries.homestead.com/Devotional-Mar-14.html

The following are a few photos from the day I am talking about in this devotional. I am adding them so you can see the "rushing river" that I dared to step into! The spot that I call "my spot" I couldn't even get to. In fact, the picture of legs is where I should have been able to step through some of the brush to walk down to my spot.

Also included are a few photos of the secluded little spot I went and sat down at just a little ways down from where I would have been, where I found the ducks.