WHEN A HUG ISN'T ENOUGH

My prayer list has grown to include my neighbor who just found out he has colon cancer, a friend from MN who is having surgery to remove a benign brain tumor, a sweet lady from church is having back surgery and my precious granddaughter, Anabel who is currently in surgery having her tonsils and adenoids removed.  As I prayed, a peace flooded my heart and the presence of the Lord surrounded me; “Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus.”

When my children were afraid, had to deal with a problem or were troubled, it wasn’t enough to just hug them and send them on their way.  Oh they received the hug but we also talked.  I gave them words of instruction, encouragement and an offer of my strength.  God is just like that.  He doesn’t just hold us in His arms but if we open up His Word and listen, he will instruct, encourage and offer His strength for any situation.

After praying this morning, I opened my Bible to Psalm121

I will lift up my eyes to the hills—from whence comes my help?
² My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth.

³ He will not allow your foot to be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber.
⁴ Behold, He who keeps Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.

⁵ The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade at your right hand.
⁶ The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night.

⁷ The Lord shall preserve you from all evil; He shall preserve your soul.
⁸ The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in from this time forth, and even forevermore.

What a comfort to know that my help comes from the One who made heaven and earth.  You can’t get any more powerful than that.  God is on “the job” 24/7.  When I’m asleep, He is wide awake and when life becomes too “hot to handle” the Lord is my shade.  When I am overwhelmed and can’t tell whether I’m “coming or going,” God is not confused at all. Verse 8 tells me He will preserve my going out and coming in now and forever.  Is it any wonder why I love Him?  What a friend; What a Mighty God.