my Rock, my Refuge, my Fortress

It was inevitable. Twenty-six 5 and 6 year-old students sharing too much time in too little space. The sneezing and coughing, the nose-blowing, the fingers in their eyes, nose and mouths, the germs EVERYWHERE! I was thankful I hadn't received the dreaded gift- that nasty cold that has kept some of my children out for 2 to 3 days at a time. Friday night it came for me and won. Saturday was a little worse and Saturday night was mostly sleepless. Being healthy it can take weeks to fight off the average cold, but having Lyme disease can prolong the sickness for months. 

I know my God can heal me. I know my God can take all the health problems and sicknesses away. I am not saying He won't, but He has not yet and may never. This morning I watched Charles Stanley and he talked about having courage to take a stand. The passage was Genesis 6:5-22 and was about Noah building the ark. I have thought at times about stopping this blog because the enemy tries to convince me that it will not make a difference, that I do not have the time or energy and that I am not healthy enough- and now this nasty cold has arrived.

I believe that God wants me to have the courage to continue to write this blog even if no one reads it. It is my story about how my mighty God is working in my life and when God calls, I better get moving regardless of what I think or feel especially when I am sick. After my shower, God led me to Psalms 62 and 63. It was refreshing and filled me with His presence. It gave me the courage to take a stand despite how I feel and to share His word with whomever might be out there and needs to hear it today or tomorrow or the next day. So I will end with these verses from Psalm 62 and 63 (ESV). 

Psalm 62:1-2, 5-8, 11-12 "For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken." ..."For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken. On God rests my salvation and my glory; my mighty rock, my refuge is God. Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us."..."Once God has spoken; twice have I heard this; that power belongs to God and that to you, O Lord, belongs steadfast love. For you will render to a man according to his work." 


Psalm 63:1-8 "O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory. Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you. So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands. My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips, when I remember you upon my bed, and meditate on you in the watches of the night; for you have been my help and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy. My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me."