Tag: safe

Summer Psalms: Surrounded

~ Barbara ~ 3 Comments

In a warfare context, “surrounded” sounds threatening, but in a social setting, we are comforted when surrounded by friends. That is the same relief we enjoy when we learn that God surrounds us. He protectively encircles us, lovingly enfolds us, and faithfully encloses us in safety.

The news reports much about being surrounded by danger as wars rage around the globe and social wars disturb America. But there is One who surrounds us and protects us. He is before us, behind us, above us, and beneath us—all around us.

Let these verses from the Psalms comfort you:

You go before me and follow me.
    You place your hand of blessing on my head. Psalm 139:5

He will cover you with his feathers.
    He will shelter you with his wings.
    His faithful promises are your armor and protection. Psalm 91:4

I cling to you; your right hand upholds me. Psalm 63:8

Just as the mountains surround Jerusalem,
    so the Lord surrounds his people, both now and forever. Psalm 125:2

I Have a Shepherd

~ Barbara ~ Leave a comment

I suspect Psalm 23 may be the best known of all psalms. Often read at funerals, it wraps around us like a familiar, cozy afghan. But the comfort it’s designed to give goes far deeper. Like the stitches woven to create our favorite blanket, the psalmist wove words to cover us with far-reaching assurances. It deserves a deeper look and meditative understanding. Over the coming weeks we will do just that. Get ready to nestle yourself under its covering.

“The Lord is my Shepherd.” Lord is understood as one who has power and authority over others, a ruler to whom allegiance and service is due. In the best case scenario, such a lord would be benevolent, caring for those under his leadership. In the Christian’s case, our Lord is that and more, so much more. Our Lord is a shepherd who lovingly tends to the needs of His people—but we’ll discuss Shepherd later.

Submitting to the care of a lord can offer peace or anxiety, depending on his goodness and our trust. The Lord spoken of in Psalm 23 is good and reliable. We will see that as we progress through the psalm, but at this point we simply need to recognize Him as Lord and, more than that, “The Lord.”

He is above all others, preeminent and unsurpassed. There is no authority that can challenge Him—important to remember in our troubling times. He has the ultimate power, the highest purpose, the perfect plan, the final say. He is The Lord of all lords.

When you read Psalm 23:1, savor these first two words—no lovingly crafted afghan can compare to the comfort found there.

Photo by Sally Teschon

Finding Hope, 65 Meditations for a Broken Heart by Barbara Higby