Shade Tree Wisdom 7/14/10

Yes, I walked this morning and enjoyed it. In the 80’s and again a slight breeze, and this morning my friendly escort showed up and checked things out as we moved along. When I get home, he disappears. But he is company, and that’s nice since we do live in a scary world, it seems.

The news is that the gushing well had been successfully capped, now they are testing to see whether it will contain the pressure when the valves are closed. But the ultimate hope is to hit the well deep underground and shut if off permanently. We pray for success.

And that’s only one of the many problems the world tussles with daily.

So how shall we then live? In fear and trembling, cowering down in utter misery and expecting the worst any second? No, we are God’s children, so I, as one of these children, find my comfort and daily strength and direction in the psalms. For an example, Psalm 27, 1.14 is rich with such comfort to help me walk with confidence and good cheer in this world. It says: “The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life, of whom shall be afraid? Wait on the Lord, be of good courage, and He shall strengthen thine heart. Wait, I say, on the Lord.”

What is the first step? Why, to look to God. Why? Because “He is thy light and thy salvation”. The first step is always that, to remember Who cares for you, and more, who it is who promises and provides your eternal life. When we know that, what else can hurt us?

So the Psalm ends with “Wait on the Lord, be of good courage. . .wait, I say, on the Lord.”
Isaiah speaks of uncertainties in his world and concludes one chapter with, “They that wait on the Lord shall renew this strength; they shall mount up with wings, as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary, they shall walk, and not faint.” Isaiah 40,31.

Example of such behavior are many. In Scripture, Gideon and his 300 overcoming a horde of Midianites. Or in life, when we see people overcoming great obstacles by effort, by often just waiting, and thinking, and praying till God supplies the answer.

I pray we will all live in such trust in God’s promises.

GPD 7/14/10