Tag Archives: problems

April 20 – Ain’t No Mountain

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Psalms 121, 123-125, 128-130

Several of these psalms speak about mountains. For one thing, a mountain isn’t going anywhere. During the days these psalms were written, living close to a mountain provided protection from invading enemies. And if you lived surrounded by mountains you were extra safe.

Very often in Scripture mountains are used to represent problems, something to be conquered, or to get over. These psalms had me looking at mountains today in a different light.

God is asking me today where I go for protection from my enemy Satan. Do I turn on Dr. Phil, read a self-help book, talk to a friend, take a pill or have a drink? How is that working for me?

Psalm 121 reminds me God made heaven and earth, that He won’t let my foot slip, that He’ll protect me and keep my soul. Psalm 124: “Our help is in the name of the Lord who made heaven and earth.” Psalm 125 tells me if I trust in the Lord I can be as immovable as Mt. Zion. It also says God surrounds me like the mountains around Jerusalem.

Today, I want to seek shelter in God who is more sturdy than any mountain He created. I want to live in the shadow of the mountain that is God Himself. He is my shield and safety. He is my protection and strength. None of my problems are too big for Him.

And He’s not going anywhere. He is as immovable as a mountain. And if I go to Him by reading His Word and praying, He is there.

You see, there “ain’t no mountain high enough, ain’t no valley low enough, ain’t no river wide enough” to keep God from me. That’s where I get my help. That’s where I get my strength. That’s where I want to be.

 

 

August 23

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Lamentations 5:1-22; 2 Kings 25:22-26; Jeremiah 40:1-42:22

As I read this morning I found myself wondering what it was about the poor people that even the King of Babylon wasn’t interested in. He had captured Jerusalem and took prisoners. But according to Jeremiah 40:7 he left the men, women, and children who were the poorest in the land.

These people were advised to serve the King of Babylon and things would go well with them. But the King obviously didn’t consider them a threat.

So I find myself asking – does my enemy consider me a threat? Or does Satan leave me be because he’s not concerned about my testimony?

I may call myself a Christian but do I go days or weeks without reading God’s Word and am rarely convicted when I do? Do I attend church most Sundays, but have learned the art of dozing with my eyes open? Is Satan worried about my prayer life? Does he tremble at the thought of me reaching out to my neighbor who doesn’t know Christ?

This might sound strange – but I don’t want to be left out. I want Satan to fear me and throw me his best shot. Because if he does, he’ll be defeated by God himself who lives in me.

Didn’t Paul count it all joy to represent God in the midst of trials? Didn’t Jesus ask us to take up our cross and follow him? Hasn’t God proven over and over that we are more than conquerors through him?

God, forgive me when I drift so far away from you that even Satan ignores me. I’m not asking for heartache or problems in my life. But I am asking that my relationship will be so strong, so vital, that Satan will be threatened by it. Then, when heartaches or problems come my way, you and I will be able to handle them so you can be glorified. Go with me into battle today, Lord. May your purpose be accomplished in me.