Scripture Reference: Psalm 62:5 (The Passion Translation)
My soul quietly waits for the True God alone because I hope only in Him.
As recounted by Peter Scazzero in his book, Emotionally Healthy Spirituality, “Parker Palmer, in his book A Hidden Wholeness, relates a story about farmers in the Midwest who would prepare for blizzards by tying a rope from the back door of their house out to the barn as a guide to ensure they could return home safely. These blizzards came quickly and fiercely and were highly dangerous. When their full force was blowing, a farmer could not see the end of his or her hand. Many froze to death in those blizzards, disoriented by their inability to see. They wandered in circles, lost sometimes in their own backyards. If they lost their grip on the rope, it became impossible for them to find their way home. Some froze within feet of their own front door, never realizing how close they were to safety.”
In the midst of the storms of life, who is your lifeline, your hope, your belief system anchored to? There are so many worldviews and distractions in life, that if you are not disciplined and securely connected to Jesus, it is easy to become swept up in them. Everyday life can overtake you as you focus on the latest news, coronavirus statistics, religious opinions, political views, economic forecasts, the children, the spouse, the neighborhood, keeping up with the Jones’, work and production issues, etc. Does your lifeline, your hope, tie you to the giver and source of all life who can help you withstand any storm by keeping your soul quietly waiting for God alone because your only hope is in Him (Psalm 62:5)?
The Apostle Paul demonstrated for us in scripture that when Jesus is our lifeline, hope, and anchor we can endure the storms of life. Apostle Paul endured much suffering for the cause of Christ (Acts 9:13-14). His storms involved addressing angry crowds in Jerusalem (Acts 22:1-21); defending himself before King Agrippa and the Roman governor Festus (Acts 26:1-23); enduring plots against him, and needing to be rescued in the night (Acts 23:12-15); trusting God when he was imprisoned to place people to protect him and to extend kindness to him (Acts 24:23); trusting God to provide protection for him as he was shipwrecked on the Island of Malta and furthering supplying his needs to continue his journey (Acts 27 – 28:14). Regardless of the storm, Paul never lost sight of, nor released his grip on his lifeline (belief, faith, trust, hope) which was anchored in the Lord, Jesus Christ. Who is your lifeline, hope, and anchor?
Prayer: Father, in the Name of Jesus, we ask forgiveness when we have depended on others, world views, things, systems, etc. to be our lifeline, our hope, and our anchor. We confess that all of these things have failed us. Lord, we declare that You are our Source and the Giver of Life. You are our hope. We quietly wait in You. We tie ourselves to You as we anchor ourselves in You, the Solid Rock. We quietly wait on you. Thank You for protecting us in the storms and blizzards of life. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.
© July 2020 Rita D. Weaver and STDM Shut The Door Ministries, Inc.