Lifetime Daily DevotionsSample

SecureThe eternal God is a dwelling place,

And underneath are the everlasting arms;

Deuteronomy 33:27 (NAS)

 

What one thing do most of us need--long for in life? What do I need as a wife? What do my children need to know every day'what should they be "wrapped in" as they leave home for school? What is my husband working for, what is the driving force in his life? And if this one "need" is not being met in our life, how does it affect us? We find ourselves facing life afraid, worried, searching, anxiety controlling much of our behavior as we seek--sometimes frantically--to regain that one necessity. What am I talking about? Our need for security.

Yes, security is a by-product of love but even though I love my child "with all my heart", I may not be wrapping him in the security he longs for because my security has been fragmented.

Sometimes my security as a wife depends on my husband. To know that my husband loves me gives me confidence in every facet of my life. Planning meals. Shopping. Getting my hair cut. I rest in knowing that he will provide for our needs as a family. He encourages me as we face unforeseen problems together. I can hold his arm at the party. He will go with me to the hospital. When he holds me I feel "secure."

And for my husband to sense that he is providing for his family by pushing himself up the ladder, getting a raise in pay, providing the necessities for them'that may spell security for him. Knowing his wife will be there to encourage him after a rough day at the office. Dinner will be on the table. She won't go on a wild shopping spree. We agree on our plans for the children. Oh, security comes in a lot of different "colors."

For my children to know "home" will still be there after school or when they come home from college for a weekend spells security. My Mom and Dad will be there. No one is going to abuse me. They are proud of me. They will be excited to see me.

I could go on and on, but you know--as I do--that our security is severely threatened today. Marriages are "insecure." Having a Mom and Dad at home is "insecure." Being financially "secure" can be a dream--or a nightmare--for many people.

There is only one completely secure thing in our lives. That one thing being Jesus Christ and His constant presence with us. No need to fear that He won't be there when we are hurting. No need to fear He will leave us alone in this scary world. No need to lose confidence as we face a day of demands and schedules and unkind people. No need to wonder about what tomorrow holds. No need to be anxious.

How do we know these things? Because Someone we love and Who loves us has told us this. The deciding factor in our intense need for security is this: Do I believe what Jesus tells me. The place where we live now--this world--is a very insecure place. There are no promises held out to us in this world that cannot be broken, no covenants without loopholes, no perfect people who will never disappoint us. But, this world is merely a training ground'a launch pad. As the old song goes, This world is not my home, I'm just passing through.

We must set our mind on our relationship with Him. We must realize just how secure we are as we rest in Him. How loved we are. How significant we are. How He will never, ever, no not ever, leave us. That He is not only with us as we go about our day--He is IN us. We are not holding on to Him with oil-slick fingers. He is holding us with His victorious right hand! Oh, we are very, very, very secure. We must tell ourselves this over and over again--and believe what we say--no matter what our world is "saying" to us. And our "feelings" probably won't go along with our determined plans. That's all right. Their drummer usually has difficulty keeping time with God's music.