May 17th
Read: Psalms 27; 1 John 4:4,18; Psalms 56:3-4
Shortly after my husband went Home, I lay one very dark night in my bed. My son Jim, twelve at the time, lay asleep upstairs at the opposite end of our sprawling house. There was no phone in either room. The nearest neighbors were some distance away.
I was just nicely settled in bed when I heard a noise on the wooden deck which surrounded the bedroom wing. It sounded like footsteps, slow and careful footsteps making the boards creak ever so slightly. I remembered that the screen door was hooked, but the inside door stood wide open in the hallway leading onto the deck. What should I do? Scurry to the phone two rooms away through that entry hallway? Better not. Find a weapon just in case? I could think of nothing at hand!
I turned in my heart to God. I reminded him that I was His child and that Jim and the house belonged to Him. “Please, God,” I prayed, “You handle it. I can’t.” I snuggled under the covers and went to sleep! I knew that God loved Jim and me and that His protection was all I needed.
When I awoke it was morning. Upon investigating the deck, I found evidence of a rather large raccoon having been there during the night. His slow progress across the deck was what I had heard. I thanked my God that there had been no real reason to fear and that He had protected me throughout the night.
WHOM SHALL I FEAR?
Dark lies heavy on the land.
No beam of light breaks through.
Enfolding night, oppressive night,
Where dark fears seethe and brew.
Fear lies heavy on the heart
With naught but black in view,
Distressing fear, enfeebling fear;
‘Twill e’en strong hearts undo.
One small star or candle’s glow
Can deepest night dispel,
And love’s bright theme, night-piercing beam,
Can terror’s tremor quell.
Love lies easy on the soul.
It will all thought compel.
‘Twill bring sweet light, the essence bright
Of Christ where love-thoughts dwell.
Prayer: Dear God, thank You for Your watch care and protection over me. Help me to turn to You every time fear wants to possess me.
