[Membersandfriends] Monday, September 20, 2004

Sun Sep 19 22:02:13 PDT 2004

The Upper Room Daily Devotional -- E-mail Edition
Brought to You by Upper Room Ministries
Monday, September 20, 2004

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The Gift that Lasts All Year

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EVER SO NEAR
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Psalm 91 (NRSV)

You who live in the shelter of the Most High,
     who abide in the shadow of the Almighty,
will say to the LORD, "My refuge and my fortress;
     my God, in whom I trust."
For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler
     and from the deadly pestilence;
he will cover you with his pinions,
     and under his wings you will find refuge;
     his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.
You will not fear the terror of the night,
     or the arrow that flies by day,
or the pestilence that stalks in darkness,
     or the destruction that wastes at noonday.

A thousand may fall at your side,
     ten thousand at your right hand,
     but it will not come near you.
You will only look with your eyes
     and see the punishment of the wicked.

Because you have made the LORD your refuge,
     the Most High your dwelling place,
no evil shall befall you,
     no scourge come near your tent.

For he will command his angels concerning you
     to guard you in all your ways.
On their hands they will bear you up,
     so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.
You will tread on the lion and the adder,
     the young lion and the serpent you will trample under foot.

Those who love me, I will deliver;
     I will protect those who know my name.
When they call to me, I will answer them;
     I will be with them in trouble,
     I will rescue them and honor them.
With long life I will satisfy them, and show them my salvation.

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You who live in the shelter of the Most High, who abide in the shadow of the Almighty will say to the Lord, "My refuge and my fortress; my God, in whom I trust."
-- Psalm 91:1-2 (NRSV)
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LATE one night while driving home, I began to think back over my life.  I smiled as I thought about the wonderful places I have been, people I have met, things I have gotten to do.  It's really been a good life, I thought to myself.  Then I remembered some of the not-so-pleasant times.  Reflecting on them, I said, "God, those sure were some tough times.  It was dark and foreboding, and I could feel this shadow hovering over me."

"Oh, I know, " God responded.  "That was my shadow."  For a moment I was awestruck.

The feelings I experienced in those moments will live with me forever.  I realized that God truly is with us in all of life's ups and downs.  In even the most difficult times, the Lord is close enough to cast a shadow over us.  As the psalmist wrote, the one "who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty" (Ps. 91:1).  When we enter one of those dark times, we can take courage.  God has promised to stay with us to the very end.  There is no need to fear; the shadows can remind us that God is present with us.

Prayer:  O Lord, thank you for being so close to us that we can see your shadow.  Amen.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
God did not promise a life without trials but that we would not go through them alone.

-- Larry Thomas (Texas, U.S.A.)

PRAYER FOCUS: Those enduring a trial

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RELATED READING ...

Many of us experience a tremendous hunger for spiritual grounding.  Written for those desiring a more vital relationship with God, CALMING THE RESTLESS SPIRIT offers nurture and practical guidance in finding meaning in life.  Easy to read with no theological jargon, Ben Campbell Johnson's book offers a beginning place to seek God.  The book focuses on how to pray, the significance of scripture and worship with others, and most importantly, how to open our lives to God.
http://www.upperroom.org/bookstore/desc.asp?ep_id=30&item_id=12602

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The scripture quotation is from the NEW REVISED STANDARD VERSION of the Bible, copyright (c) 1989, by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the U.S.A.  Used by permission.  All rights reserved.