|
Listen to this devotional: |
Listen while you read: "The Love Of God"1
(Lyrics) |
Psalm 91:14-15 – "Because he loves me," says the Lord, "I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him." (NIV)
I began training my retriever cross, Sophie, to be a helper from the time she was a pup. We often hiked the trails together in our mountain home and I felt that it was important that she could help me if I were to trip and fall or have an accident. Sophie was thus trained to respond immediately whenever I called out the word "help". This was a command that she took to heart, for no matter how interested she was in chasing a tantalizing scent, once she heard me holler "Help!", she would be at my side within seconds.
As part of her training, she also learned to lie down, sit, and stand firm, so that whether I were in a prone or semi-prone position, I could use her body as leverage to get myself back up to a standing one. Having Sophie with me day by day in all kinds of weather on all kinds of walks was a great reassurance that I would have the help necessary if I should encounter a mishap and need rescuing.
As we see in today's Scripture reading, the psalmist also had a helper Whom he could rely on in times of need: the Lord God, Who, when we make Him the centre of our lives, will even command His angels concerning us to guard us in all our ways; angels who will lift us up in their hands, so that we will not strike our foot against a stone. (Psalm 91:11-12 NIV)
This does not mean that mishaps will never befall us; after all, we dwell in a fallen world and accidents happen. Through it all, though, God is with us. He is our ever-present help in times of trouble, there to lift us up, restore us, and get us going again. Therefore, as the psalmist has written, "we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging." (Psalm 46:2-3 NIV)
Sophie is always there for me. She is always loyal and faithful; I can count on her. Even more so, however, is our God faithful and loyal, always there to be counted on, a refuge and fortress at all times for those who love and trust Him, for those who enjoy the company while walking upon the trails of life with Him.
Prayer: Father God, thank You that You are the most loyal and faithful of all helpers to those who place their trust in You and share the joy of walking the trails of this life together with You. In Christ's name, we pray. Amen.
Forward this devotional Share on Facebook
About the author:
Lynne Phipps <lynnephippsatlin@gmail.com>
Tawatinaw, Alberta, Canada
Send your feedback to the author
And we praise God and give thanks.
AMEN, Lynne! Thank you, once more.
Thank you for such a beautiful, uplifting message, Lynne! God bless!
Thanks, Lynne
I enjoyed your Sophie story, and she had a smart trainer!
Psalm 91 is such a comfort that we who live alone need to read it often.
Amen Lynne, a great read as always….nice to know He’s always with us; even if we don’t have a ‘Sophie’. She sounds wonderful.
Blessing, and have a wonderful weekend.
Fascinating targeted training for Sophie! Great thinking, especially the different positions she is to adopt, according to your need! As usual your knowledge of the Word is comprehensive! Bless you.
Thank you, Lynne. This is good: God faithful and loyal, always there to be counted on, a refuge and fortress at all times for those who love and trust Him, for those who enjoy the company while walking upon the trails of life with Him.
Thank you for sharing this encouraging devotional with us today! To God be the glory! My Elliot was a Golden helper until cancer took him away. I was heartbroken. Now my Sunny Sunshine is a rollicking companion who warns away the squirrels from the bird feeders. Blessings.
Good morning, Lynne,
Thank you for your message today. Psalm 91 is one of my favourites, thank you for sharing a verse from it today. And Sophie – what a faithful friend and companion you have found in her. Lovely devotional.
Good morning, Lynne and many thanks for another of your special devotionals and a great analogy of God’s love and care in our daily lives. Sophie sounds like a very talented and obedient dog and responds perfectly to you. We need be ever thankful that our loving God is ever ready to respond to us in every situation. He is so worthy of our constant praise. Blessings as you continue to prepare and share your special writings.
Hi Lynne
Sophie sounds like a fantastic dog. Wow!
God proves all the time that He also is here for us in good times and bad times. He is our helper in all things for sure.
Have a great weekend.
God bless.
Hi Lynne
What a beautiful analogy of how Sophie is always there for you in time of need when you call out the word help. We too can call out the word help to the Lord who is always there to guide us into a safe haven because He is faithful and loyal, always being there for us as His children.
God’s richest blessings on you and Sophie.
Good one. Thank you.
Enjoy the colourful autumn trails with your two trusty companions.
How amazing that Sophie is so well trained.
If only the rest of us would obey our Master so readily and without hesitation!
Blessings.