The Plumbline

I look to you for protection. I will hide beneath the shadow of your wings until the danger passes by. I cry out to God Most High, to God who will fulfill his purpose for me. (Psalm 57:1-2) Where does God provide refuge? Under the shadow of his wings. A mother hen will call for her chicks, sheltering there under the cover of her wings for as long as any threat is nearby. The hen sacrifices her comfort for the protection of her young. Jesus sacrificed the 'protection' of his divinity to become the sacrifice for our sins. There is no better shelter from the 'threats' in our lives than the shadow of his wings. Until the danger passes by. The ability to 'hide' under the shelter of his wings is always there, but it is especially needed when danger surrounds us. If you haven't learned to take shelter in his presence during the times when danger isn't pressing in around you, you will when danger imposes a threat! The chicks don't just shelter under their mo...

Why would someone need rescue? It could be they found them caught unaware of the danger they were in, such as when a flash flood comes unexpectedly. It might also be that they were at the wrong place at the wrong time, caught up in some event they likely would never have chosen for themselves. It might even be they chose the place, the time, and the event, knowing very well there was a danger associated with that decision. It doesn't really matter how or why the rescue is required, danger exists, and distress is imminent if not already occurring. The deeper the distress, the louder our calls for deliverance are! The Lord rescues the godly; he is their fortress in times of trouble. The Lord helps them, rescuing them from the wicked. He saves them, and they find shelter in him. (Psalm 37:39-40) This passage gives me hope that even the godly can be caught up in places or events that require his rescue. It should give us all hope that we won't always make the wisest of ch...

God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. (Psalm 46:1) Have you ever needed to take refuge in the midst of a storm? How about in the midst of a huge battle? Growing up in Arizona, monsoon season hits each summer, bringing these huge winds, walls of dust for miles and miles, and some pretty terrifying thunder and lightning to boot. As a wee lass, I would feel the winds picking up, but I would play on because nothing could distract me from my play. Then all of a sudden, the skies would rumble and roar, and that peace I had felt was no more! I'd call out for mom, run quickly to the fence line between my friend's home and ours, standing there waiting. Waiting for what? For those 'rescuing arms' of mom's that would reach over that fence to lift me to safety. As soon as she had me safely over the fence, all was well, for I knew I was going to be 'sheltered' from the worst of the storm and safe in her care. I wonder how many times we...