Sunday Writing... 9-29-19... "REFUGE"

Good morning!

Refuge means shelter, protection, a place of safety.  Today's devotional is about "REFUGE" for wildlife as well as for us.  Read below about the things from which refuge is sought and where it is found.

Blessings,
Jan

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Today's Devotional: 

"REFUGE"

by

Jan Andersen

Taking photographs of nature, including flowers and trees, sunrises and sunsets, and wild animals and birds, is one of my joys.  There is something special about seeing God’s natural creations, wild and free.  Animals in a cage or enclosure are never as completely free as they are in the wild, no matter how large and “natural” they may have been built.

However, there is a time and place for providing shelter and sanctuary for wild things.  The more we as humans encroach upon the their home territory, the more we need to consider providing them refuge.   There needs to be a happy balance and good stewardship when it comes to inhabiting and developing this earth that God gave us.

Sometimes it is we as humans who need refuge.  We are bombarded by life’s troubles, trials and temptations.  Other people may attack us and threaten our safety.  Storms and earthquakes and other natural disasters may imperil our lives.  Illness and aging may jeopardize our health and independence.  Impending hardships and difficulties looming over us put our mental health at risk.  Anxiety and depression can close in on our emotional well-being.  Addictions and hang-ups can take over our lives.  Sometimes the dangers come from outside of us, other times from within.

Refuge is a place of comfort and protection.  When our safety is threatened in some way, we seek refuge.  Even when we cannot find actual, physical shelter, we have a God who provides us with ultimate security and safety, sometimes by removing the threat, other times by walking us through it.  He is our refuge and our strength in times of trouble!  As we dwell in his shelter, He protects us from harm and is like a bird providing refuge for their young, sheltering us under his wings.  

Psalm 91:1-4 NIV  Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.  I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”  Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence.  He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.

Sometimes animals go to extremes to save their young from predators, or even pets like dogs to save their owners from things like other aggressive animals or poisonous snakes.  There have been horrendous stories of mothers or teachers shielding their young ones from gunfire, only to die themselves in the act of saving them.  Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, did this for us on the cross, to save us from eternal death as payment for our sinfulness.  But He did not remain in death - he was raised from the dead and prepares for us a place in heaven beside him, our ultimate refuge!

Dear Father in heaven, our sheltering refuge in every storm, we thank you for your comforting arms holding us up as we travel this journey on earth, and for the relief You provide at the end of this life as we remain faithful to You.  Heaven will be our final perfect refuge because of the sacrifice of your Son.  Help us to share this with others!  In Jesus' name we pray,  Amen.        

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Song:

ON EAGLES WINGS
Michael Joncas

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Psalm 57:1-3

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Prayers are lifted up daily for you by the Devotional Writers and the Monthly Writing Staff of Women's Focus Ministries

Blog writers:

Sandy Billingham, Karen Bennett,

Brother Thomas Ukwute, Jody Ward,

Bre Miller, Lynda Kinnard, Amie Spruiell,

Debbie Rodriguez, Carol Steficek,

Jan Andersen and Corinne Mustafa