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Trouble

Down by the riverside

by TerryLema

Well, if you have been on Facebook recently or at The Way last Sunday, you probably already know that my husband fell into the Boise River while fishing last Saturday. He tumbled down the bank and ended up headfirst in the river Thankfully, the flow was low so he was not carried downstream. He struggled to get up on the bank but could only make it halfway out. He said he could not push up with his feet nor pull himself up with his arms.

Two guys and a gal walked by and found him and helped. They got him up the bank. Being the rather stubborn old man he is, he thought he could drive home, but was unable to get in his truck. Realizing he was bleeding, bruised and could not move his left arm, they called 911. Paramedics transported him to our local ER.

His right arm has multiple scrapes and cuts, and over the last couple days lots of bruising has shown up on his right arm and side. His left shoulder blade is fractured, and he has multiple cuts on his left hand. He is bandaged and his left arm is in a sling until we can see the ortho surgeon.  If you ask him what was the worst thing that happened, he will smile and tell you he lost his Marine Corps hat in the river.

It is funny how fast things can change. One minute you are getting ready to leisurely fish on the riverbank, the next moment you are in the river and struggling to get out, cold, hurt, frustrated and maybe even a little afraid (although I would never accuse this former Marine of fear!).

What should show up as one of my daily verses today?  Psalm 91, “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.” [vs 1 NKJV]

I took a moment to read the rest of the song … and came to rest on verse 15, “He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble.”

Take a moment and read Psalm 91 today. Be reminded of the rescues that are noted there. Too often we become so familiar with a portion of Scripture that we fail to really consider what is contained therein.

“I will be with him in trouble.” That apparently includes taking a header into a river!

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Deliver Me

by TerryLema

We have come to the last of David’s two-word requests in his “Cry for Help” Psalm 143. It too, is extremely relevant for our times.

“Because of Your name, Yahweh, let me live. In Your righteousness deliver me from trouble.” [v11 HCSB]

Deliver me … from trouble.  Trouble surrounds us. As Christians, we seem to have exited decades of quiet and if not acceptance, at least indifference from society. Now we appear to be entering a time of opposition that may lead to persecution.  To ask our LORD, YAHWEH, to deliver us from trouble is timely.

Trouble. The Hebrew word means adversity, affliction, anguish, distress, tribulation, trouble. It definitely could be applied to what we see around us daily, whether it is coming from the virus-and-fear pandemic, politics, nature, or opposition to us as individuals or as the church corporate.

As I survey our world, I am reminded of Jesus’ words in Matthew 24. Jesus’ disciples asked Him what the signs of His return would be. So, He told them.

“For nation will rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these events are the beginning of birth pains.”  [vs7-8 HCSB]

One particular phrase stands out this morning in those verses, “All these events are the beginning of birth pains.”

Beloved, this is just the “beginning!” Unless I am grossly mistaken, we will not see our world get better, but will see a consistent decline. It will get darker and more evil.  In fact, Jesus said it will be like it was in the days of Noah. [Matthew 24:36]

God Himself described what it was like in “the days of Noah.” He said that “the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” [Genesis 6:5 NKJV]

But as God protected Noah, God can protect us in times of trouble. So, we pray each day as David prayed, deliver me from trouble, LORD. Amen.

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We Will Not Fear

by TerryLema

This morning I retreated. I heard health news from a couple of friends that rocked me yesterday.

I read that churches in California have been barred from singing, although many still are singing their praises to God. (No telling what ramifications there will be for breaking that directive.)

The COVID-19 cases in our county are increasing rapidly and there is the threat that the Governor, local government, or health district will take action to move us back a stage.

Overnight, so much changed, so, I retreated. I retreated to Psalm 46.  It begins this way, “God is our refuge and strength, a helper who is always found in times of trouble.” [CSB]

 When trouble abounds, the LORD God Almighty is our refuge and strength.  He is “always found” in times of trouble. As the NKJV says, He is an “ever-present help in the time of trouble.”

 How do we survive the troubles that accompany this life?  The only way I know to not just survive, but joyfully thrive amid the troubles is by retreating into the loving arms of Almighty God. When I reach out to Him, I find that He is always right there with me – ever present – and watching over me, ready to take my hand and guide me through.

I am not able to sufficiently answer to everyone’s satisfaction the “why” to that age-old question, “Why do bad things happen to good people.” But I am reassured that when bad things do happen, God is my refuge. God is my strength. God is my helper. God is always with me, in good times and in times of trouble.

Amen and Amen.

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In the Day of Trouble

by TerryLema

We have a large bird feeder in our backyard, right next to thick evergreen trees. Every winter the little birds make their home in those trees. They’ll sit on the outside branches in the sunshine and disappear deep into the trees’ cover when the weather is bad or during the night. Periodically, they’ll come out to feed. They know Bob especially and will simply sit and watch as he goes out during the day to fill the feeder and scatter seed on the barren ground that in the summer will be our garden. They get their fill and seem willing to share with the doves who come in the morning and evening for their meals.

There is often an unwelcome guest that comes. A hawk has noticed the birds and comes to sit on our fence in the winter hoping to also devour a meal. The first time that happened the birds scattered and didn’t return for days. They seem to have discovered lately that if they remain deep in the shelter of the trees, the hawk cannot reach them. While the hawk is there, they simply stay quiet and secure in their shelter.

I love watching those little birds. They teach me so many lessons. When I see the hawk and know that the little birds are quiet and secure deep in those trees, I remind myself of where I need to stay when the enemy of my soul comes looking to devour.

“For in the day of trouble (when that old predator comes calling), God will keep me safe in His dwelling, He will hide me in the shelter of His tabernacle.” Psalm 27:5

I don’t need to be anxious or afraid. I don’t need to run away. I need to draw closer, deeper, into the covering of God’s Presence. I am safe there.

Praise His Glorious Name. Amen!

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