Series: Give Thanks
Psalm 28:7 ESV
Revelation 12:7-9 ESV
Jude 1:6 ESV
As I was walking my dog this morning I was reminded in all things we give thanks…even for the small things.
This morning is was my ol’ dog.
It’s a silly thing really that reminded me to give thanks, but to me it was a ‘thing’.
As I was walking Auby (short for Abednego as in Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the book of Daniel) we came upon a fellow sitting out early. Of course, Auby saw or smelled the fellow long before I did and because I wasn’t holding his lease lightly he got away and ran up to the gentleman.
I felt bad and I apologized, but the fellow didn’t seem to be bothered by Auby. We exchanged morning hellos and Auby and I went on our merry way.
It may seem strange to some, but what surprised me is that Auby did not bark at the gentleman. He just ran up as if to say hello and how do you do.
That’s what amazes me about dogs.
Auby knew the gentleman was ‘safe’. I chuckled and thought how wonderful it would be if humans could tell (by scent) that a person they meet is a safe person they can trust.
I am not so capable. I had to learn the hard way that we can trust some people and not trust others. I do not possess the capability to automatically know.
However, from the time I was young and I came to know Jesus, I learned God is my strength and protector.
Psalm 28:7 tells us, “The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped;my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him.”
I don’t remember the first time I felt unsure about a stranger but I do remember talking to my dad about the strength and power we have from the Lord. He helped me understand that God protects and defends.
He taught me how to rely on Jesus.
He prayed protection over me and because of that I knew to pray when I was afraid.
The Lord is my strength and shield became a huge part of my song.
I’m not certain but I suspect ‘me da’ knew I would be a wee lass all the days of my life. For sure the women in my family are not as tall as most older children. Because I knew the Lord is my strength and shield and I trusted in that I knew God was my protector and helper.
I’ve always known that.
From the time I first opened a book I’ve been an avid reader. Even in my early years in school I read more books than anyone in class. That was my ‘thing’ and while fiction was okay, I preferred books about the earth, God, people, and history.
By the time I was a young teenager I was reading every book about God I could get my hands on. Billy Graham was my favorite.
The first time I read ‘Angels, God’s Secret Agents’ I was hooked.
I asked my dad to help me find scriptures about Angels. That sparked many conversations about Angels in scripture.
I came to know Angels protect and defend as God wills. Angels can be messengers of God. Angels can guide and defend, and they can intervene if God sends them to intervene. Specifically, Angels are sent from God and God is the agent. In other words, we do not pray to angels. We pray to God. Everything I read about Angels was clear on that point.
While Angels can be very powerful, their power comes from God.
We know from scripture that there are Angels from God and there are fallen angels. Revelation 12:7-9 tells us, “Now war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon. And the dragon and his angels fought back, but he was defeated, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.”
We know from scripture there are fallen angels. Jude 1:6 tells us, “And the angels who did not keep their positions of authority but abandoned their proper dwelling—these he has kept in darkness, bound with everlasting chains for judgment on the great Day.”
Once again, we can pray asking God to protect us and it is God who chooses HOW to protect us.
I marvel every day at God’s love and protection of those who turn to Him for help. God is always there!
Spiritual Practice: Turn to God
Ask God to protect you.
In God, Deborah
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