Every living creature sleeps.

No matter who or what or where, every living thing sleeps. Consider the following:

Some humans sleep on their backs, their sides or their stomachs. Some sleep with their knees drawn up to their chest. Others sleep with one leg drawn up and an arm under their head. Some of us sleep one way while others sleep another way. The fact is, however, that all of us sleep.
Consider the animal kingdom for a moment: long-legged birds sleep standing on one leg. Ducks always sleep in open water. To avoid drifting to the shore, they keep paddling with one foot, moving in a circle. Fish and snakes sleep with their eyes open.

Every living thing sleeps.

Except God.

The Psalmist wisely brings this to our attention: “He will not let your foot slip - He who watches over you will not slumber...nor sleep.”

When days are dark and the stars hidden behind the clouds, God is awake and watching over us. When our dearest friends deny and abandon us, God is there to put His arm around us and comfort us. When our hearts are broken, He will wipe away our tears. When the enemy attacks us, He Himself will defend us.
He Who is all powerful and ever present always protects us. He Who loves us will always strengthen, steady, support, sustain and save us from slipping.

Prayer: Thank You, Lord, for the promise that You are always with us and will protect us from danger and defeat. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 121:3 He will not let your foot slip— he who watches over you will not slumber;

“Check on me” was a familiar request that we heard every night as our youngest son, Byron, began walking to his bedroom. Even though we took every precaution to make certain that our home was safe from any threat or danger, there was nothing more comforting than a nightly visit before the lights were turned off. Knowing that someone was near by and readily available if an emergency arose made falling asleep much easier.

The need to know that we are safe and secure is important to each of us. Stripes divide streets and signs give important instructions to drivers. A checklist must be completed before an aircraft can take flight. Warnings about possible problems surround us wherever we go or whatever we do. Sometimes they seem to get in the way of life. But warnings are important to warn us of impending dangers.

Psalm 91 reminds us of the unpredictability, yet the certainty, of dangers that await us. But it does not do so to frighten us, but to give the assurance that we are safe at all times and in all situations because of the faithfulness of our God. Listen as the Psalmist assures of the safety and security we have in God: “You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that strikes at midday...if you make the Most High your dwelling!”

How gracious of our God to assure us that we do not need to ask Him to “check on us” - He does it constantly.

Prayer:  Thank You, Lord, for the promise of Your protection that gives us peace, security and hope. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today:  Psalm 91:5-6 You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday.

The recent tornados that have wreaked havoc across the central United States have been devastating. The loss of loved ones, the scope of injuries that will take years to overcome, the destruction of homes and businesses, the feelings of grief and hopelessness that grasped individuals as they sorted through piles of rubbish that at one time represented their entire life is beyond understanding.

In the midst of these great tragedies, however, were the stories and pictures of some who were prepared for such an event. From past encounters with powerful winds and driving rain and hail storms were those who came to the conclusion that preparation for such a time was a top priority. They were the ones who built sturdy shelters beneath the ground where they were sure to be safe. They did not trust their lives to fate or chance. They recognized their need to prepare for the assaults of life.

The author of Psalm 91 spoke of the need we have to prepare for the assaults of life. “He,” wrote the author, “will cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you will find refuge.”

While storm shelters can protect us from wind and rain, flying objects and falling buildings, only God can protect us from the destructive forces of sin. In Him we have the assurance that He will meet all of our needs - spiritual, emotional and physical - every day of our lives. And through Him we have His promise that He will give us His power and strength, presence and protection to overcome the attacks of the devil.

Prayer:  Our hearts rejoice, Father, to know that we can dwell safely “under Your wings” and take refuge in You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today:  Psalm 91:4 He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.

It was a stormy day. Fierce winds and heavy rains made the windows of his office shake intensely. Suddenly one of the panes came loose and the wind and rain came rushing in and soaked the desk and papers of the great hymn writer, Charles Wesley.

Suddenly, he was startled by the sounds of a bird chirping. He looked around and discovered that a small bird had been carried into his room with the wind and the rain and had taken refuge in his coat that he had laid across a chair near his desk.

Noticing that the bird was frightened, he silently made his way to the chair and began to softly stroke the feathers of the bird to calm its fast-beating heart. But he noticed that the bird did not respond to his gentleness. Then he noticed that a hawk was perched on a bookcase, carefully watching the proceedings. He walked from his office with the bird and when the rain ceased released it into the sky. He went back to his desk and wrote the beloved hymn, “Jesus, lover of my soul, let me to Thy bosom fly.”

David had fierce “storms” in his life. There were many times in his life when he had no place to go or any person he could turn to for help. But he had God and he knew that he could turn to Him at any moment in any of the storms of his life.

“Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me,” he wrote. “For in You my soul takes refuge. I take refuge in the shadow of Your wings until the disaster passes.”

Prayer: Thank You, Heavenly Father, for being our refuge when the storms of life arise. Protect us, we pray. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 57:1b Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me! For my soul trusts in You;