A SAFE JOURNEY
11/17/24 A SAFE JOURNEY
I thought I would share my morning devotion with you and the process I went through. Each day’s devotional time and method is different for me. Here is one example:
YOU ARE MY HIGH TOWER, MY REFUGE
This morning as I sat in my chair, I heard and saw:
Safe journey sweet one. I saw the movement of Him taking a step out and turning slightly with His hand outreached to take my hand so that we could walk together.
I wish I could explain my gift of seeing movement, but I see the movement and at the same time my mind can picture the understanding accompanied with the movement. For instance when I see angels saluting, I always see the movement, and my mind sees the hands come up to make a salute. But I don’t see any angel attached to the hands. And with this move of Jesus stepping out, I saw that movement and then I saw the hand reach back to me, but I never saw Jesus. I guess seeing movement is like a brief glimpse of what is going on in a broader sense. For instance, with the angels salute it is a way of showing honor and readiness, not about focusing on the angels, but what they are getting ready to do. And with this one, the message is that I will have a safe journey because I am holding Jesus’ hand.
I had an eye glance at my Bible and I was drawn to look in Psalm 9 and found this scripture about He is a refuge. His refuge means a lofty, inaccessible place that is like a cliff, high fort, or a place that is high up in altitude.
Psalm 9:9-10 The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. 10 And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.
Psalm 18:2 The LORD [is] my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, [and] my high tower.
I searched e-Sword to see if one of the commentaries mentioned about refuge and found this:
COMMENTARY FROM LIFE APPLICATION NOTES
Psalms 18:2-3
God’s protection of his people is limitless and can take many forms. David characterized God’s care with five military symbols. God is like (1) a rock that can’t be moved by any who would harm us, (2) a fortress or place of safety where the enemy can’t follow, (3) a shield that comes between us and harm, (4) power that saves, a symbol of might that can save us, (5) a place of safety high above our enemies. If you need protection, look to God.
WORD TO PONDER THE SECRET PLACE 2/12/99
I have given you a secret place in the cleft of My rock. I send you forth among wolves and fierce predators. And you shall go and speak in My Name. Yet no matter where you are, I will always provide a refuge for you. Any time that you need, you may withdraw into that secret place. It is My shelter away from the storm and no unclean thing shall touch you. You are safe My love.
“For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.” (Ps27:5KJV)
=================
CHARLES STANLEY
I was suddenly drawn to search what Dr Stanley’s In Touch booklet says for today’s date: How to Apply God’s Principles. I thought how wonderfully wise and helpful it was in not only studying scripture, but applying anything God says to us through any means! Here is my summary:
- What did He say?
- What is its surrounding context?
- What does it mean to my personal life?
- What does it reveal about God?
- How does it relate to everything He has said?
CHARLES STANLEY: HOW TO APPLY GOD’S PRINCIPLES
Psalm 119:14-17 I have rejoiced in the way of your testimonies, as much as in all riches. 15 I will meditate in your precepts, and have respect unto your ways. 16 I will delight myself in your statutes: I will not forget your word. 17 Deal bountifully with your servant, that I may live, and keep your word.
The process for applying scriptural principles is often misunderstood. It’s not simply three steps: hear, believe, apply. We must also explore and discover before we take action.
To explore a biblical principle means studying Scripture to understand what the surrounding context is, what its lesson means for your life, and what it reveals about God. Furthermore, we must consider how all this relates to the rest of the Bible. Digging into the Word softens our hearts and minds so that the new doctrine gets planted deeply.
As we journey further into Scripture to explore, the new concept rises off the page and becomes real to us. We discover how the principle works and how to apply it to our life. As we do, God’s rich truth becomes our own. The more we take into our heart and mind, the better they can impact us from the inside out.
A believer who has little to say about God’s work in his life is probably not applying Scripture. Simply hearing and believing doesn’t make a concept yours (James 1:22-25). A principle is yours when you explore the truth, discover its place in your life, and apply the concept so that God can make it work.
==============
IN SUMMARY THIS MORNING’S DEVOTIONAL TIME
Dr Stanley’s wisdom was so quickened to me, I applied it to my little morning devotion about His refuge:
- What did He say?
- What is its surrounding context?
- What does it mean to my personal life?
- What does it reveal about God?
- How does it relate to everything He has said?
WHAT HE SAID: He has told me that I will have a safe journey.
CONTEXT: The surrounding context to being safe is walking with Him by holding His hand and keeping pace with Him. If I hold His hand I am not off doing my own will and getting into trouble from my independence.
PERSONAL: Holding His hand to me is comfort and close proximity. It is also obedience because I cant hold His hand and disobey at the same time!
WHO HE IS: My movement vision this morning told me that He is SO patient, kind, comforting, and He truly wants to walk with me. His love is so amazing.
HISTORY: I have a history of knowing what it is like when I let go of His hand. I have a history of knowing what it is like to walk in intimacy.
CONCLUSION: I choose to hold His hand.
PRAYER: Lord please give my hand a little tug to remind me if I am starting to let go. I want and need to stay close to You. Please help me Lord to walk with You, beside You, and connected to You. In Jesus name.
