SHELTER ~
From the heat of the day
Isaiah 4:5-6 New International Version (NIV)
Then the Lord will create over all of Mount Zion and over those who assemble there a cloud of smoke by day and a glow of flaming fire by night; over everything the glory will be a canopy. 6 It will be a shelter and shade from the heat of the day, and a refuge and hiding place from the storm and rain.
I like how God speaks of shelter and the heat of the day plus a hiding place from the storm and rain. I hear old people speak of olden days. There was no air conditioning inside their homes and their bathroom was outside called a out house. There was not the modern conveniences we have now. No computers, iPhone and the list goes on. We have came a long way from Bible days and even 80 years ago. My mom spoke of days of being a little girl and walking to school holding a potato to keep her hands warms. Now we drive kids to school inside a car with air conditioning if we can.
There is another type of shelter I want to talk about today. The enemy of our soul comes in our minds like a storm. Thoughts can overpower us and we seriously can find our temperature rising inside of us.
The Bible speaks of guarding our minds and living in this day. Too many thoughts backwards or ahead can keep us in a mental heat storm. Living in today and counting blessings helps me so much on a daily bases. I know that the past is done and when it appears again in my head, I realize it is the devil who brings negative things back. It becomes a battlefield and I know that God can win, but it take me turning my thoughts to God.
Just like we prepare for the heat of the day, their a temperature that works for us. Take care of you and drink lots of water plus stay inside of you can. If you don't have air conditioning there are many people who do and go visit them. Maybe travel to a mall or movie time. Bring your pets inside and protect them from the heat too. All of the normal things on the outside and now lets us inside.
Inside our lives we must rest in peace. So many things change suddenly and we are faced with hard things. That season will pass and some will deal with new normals. Through it all, God remains the same and wants to help you through the storms of life. He is a place of shelter and gives strength to the weary. Just as we prepared for our weather heat wave, let us prepare for our mental wave too.
Not everyone is in a heat wave from flooding and rains in Texas. We pray for people within deep waters and help to restore their homes quickly. We pray daily for mental victories too. Don't let the negative consume you and rest in the shelter of God.
Psalm 91:4 New International Version (NIV)He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
Use wisdom from the heat and the cold. Be careful outside today and drink lots of water. My prayers continue for you, your family and friends. I think this is the hottest weather I have ever experienced in my lifetime. We are bringing the girls bunnies inside and using air conditioning. Purpose this weekend a safe and fun one.
~ Sparkie