2-18-21 THOUGHTS

Thoughts of safety and peace belong to us always.  Surely our lives could be much worse than they are, but surely we have lived through some difficult and confusing times lately.  I understand the following verse.  I have prayed for the  “now I will arise” part.  I have longed for a safety from an unseen intruder that has turned our lives upside down in more ways than we know.  
Ps 12:5 "Because of the devastation of the afflicted, because of the groaning of the needy, Now I will arise," says the LORD; "I will set him in the safety for which he longs."
Ps 4:8  In peace I will both lie down and sleep, For You alone, O LORD, make me to dwell in safety.

A beautiful section in Proverbs gives us a life-long principle for coping with the ups and downs in life that are inevitable.  But the principle is far beyond coping, it places one in “the position of good!”  Prov 27:12 catches the idea,   “A prudent man sees evil [and] hides himself, The naive proceed [and] pay the penalty.”    A beatitude follows:
Prov 3:13-26    How blessed is the man who finds wisdom And the man who gains understanding. 14  For her profit [wisdom is personified in the feminine] is better than the profit of silver And her gain better than fine gold. 15  She is more precious than jewels; And nothing you desire compares with her. 16  Long life is in her right hand; In her left hand are riches and honor. 17  Her ways are pleasant ways And all her paths are peace. 18  She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, And happy are all who hold her fast. 19  The LORD by wisdom founded the earth, By understanding He established the heavens. 20  By His knowledge the deeps were broken up And the skies drip with dew. 21  My son, let them not vanish from your sight; Keep sound wisdom and discretion,  22  So they will be life to your soul And adornment to your neck. 23  Then you will walk in your way securely And your foot will not stumble. 24  When you lie down, you will not be afraid; When you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. 25  Do not be afraid of sudden fear Nor of the onslaught of the wicked when it comes; 26  For the LORD will be your confidence And will keep your foot from being caught.
Ps 57:1  « For the choir director; [set to] Al-tashheth. A Mikhtam of David, when he fled from Saul in the cave. »   Be gracious to me, O God, be gracious to me, For my soul takes refuge in You; And in the shadow of Your wings I will take refuge Until destruction passes by.

My Prayer:
Oh God be our strength and our refuge until difficult times pass us by.  You are the joy of our being in good times.  You Oh Lord supply us with all that we need for life and godliness.  Make us to know your great and precious promises,  that the problems of our present life my be covered in the shadow of your wings.  Increase our faith, give us of your wisdom.  
In the precious name of our Lord           Amen.