GOD DOESN’T TAKE CHANCES –

Each day Moses would enter the “Tent of Meeting” pitched just outside the encampment, where he went to meet and talk with God. After Moses entered the tent the Shekinah glory of God would descend like a cloud to guard the entrance as long as the two of them conversed inside. Whatever God said to Moses inside that holy place, it inspired him and his older sister Miriam to write this song of encouragement that God does not let His anointed walk alone, but He will be with them and protects them until their mission is accomplished. I’m sure that later on, those times with God in that tent made all the difference in how Moses coped with the huge task given to him. For him, I’m certain it gave new meaning to the term, “Spending time alone with God.”

“If you spend some time alone with the Most High, it will guarantee you the constant presence of the Almighty. Let me tell you this about the LORD Eternal, the One who gives me His blessed assurance; I’m talking about the One True God whom I trust completely: He won’t let you fall into any traps or become the victim of communal failures. He’ll be right next to you with His arms around you; and under His arm you will feel protected because you can depend on Him to always be on your side to defend you. That’s why you won’t lie awake at night dreading tomorrow, or afraid to go out during the day because you feel threatened; nor scared of being caught by some unforeseen epidemic, nor overwhelmed with sudden storms in broad daylight. Even though you see hundreds or even tens of thousands fail because of one thing or another, He won’t allow it to destroy you. Rather, you will be able to watch what happens when people start getting what they deserve. But because you trust the LORD Eternal to keep you safe, and making the Most High the one you run to in time of trouble, He will make sure nothing happens to you without His permission. His angels guide you and guard you as you walk life’s highway. You will be able to face your persecutors and detractors without fear; you will overcome those aggressively trying to bring you down or those who spread ruthless rumors. Here’s the Lord’s promise: ‘Because you put Me first in your life, I will put you first. I’ll put you where they can’t reach you, because you know who I am and what I can do. When you call out to Me, I will answer you; I won’t leave you in distress, but I will pull you through and give you honor. That way I will bless you with long life, so you can truly call me your Savior’.” Psalm 91:1-16

Reflection: After a terrible forest fire in Yellowstone National Park some years ago, forest rangers began their trek up a mountain side to assess the inferno’s damage. One ranger found a small bird standing statuesque on the ground at the base of a tree. Moved by this unusual sight the ranger touched the bird with his stick to see if it was still alive. When he did, the bird crumbled into a pile of ashes as three chicks scurried out from under the dead bird’s wings. This loving mother, keenly aware of impending disaster, carried her offspring to the base of the tree and gathered them under her winds, instinctively protecting them against the toxic smoke. She refused to fly off to safety and abandon her babies. So when the blaze arrived and the heat charred her small body, she still remained steadfast. Because she was willing to die, it allowed those under the cover of her wings to live on. How much more will our heavenly Father who created the sparrow and instilled such instincts be even more protective of those He created in His image. One thing that gives the believer even greater hope lies in the fact that survival does not imply staying alive only here on earth, but also being alive in the world to come; that no force on earth possesses the power to take away. So let these words of Moses and the brave act of that little mother bird encourage us to walk with God each day, knowing He will be right next to us at all times, especially in times of trouble.