Day 64 - Shelter

Don't we all run for shelter when we are cold, or wet, or through other storms of life!  I often think the Hebrews of the Old Testament knew far more than I ever will about seeking and finding a fortress, a refuge and a shelter.  Partly of course due to their nomadic way of life, but also because I think our world today so insulates us from reality.

Psalm 91:1-5 - talks of Machseh [mah-ks-seh]- God our Fortress or Shelter. The word refuge translates to bring to safety or provide a way of escape.  Again I choose the translation The Message for it so personalizes my needs and provision in the Lord. 
Psa. 91:1   You who sit down in the High God’s presence,
        spend the night in Shaddai’s shadow,
Psa. 91:2     Say this: “GOD, you’re my refuge (Machseh)
       I trust in you and I’m safe!”
Psa. 91:3     That’s right—he rescues you from hidden traps,
        shields you from deadly hazards.
Psa. 91:4     His huge outstretched arms protect you—
        under them you’re perfectly safe;
        his arms fend off all harm.
Psa. 91:5     Fear nothing—not wild wolves in the night,
        not flying arrows in the day

Sometimes we need a refuge from our world and those in it, sometimes from the wildness of creation - the fallen and the restrained power; and other times, we need refuge from ourselves.  Machseh, our refuge, our fortress and shelter is the answer for all of those reasons and more.  He doesn't wait for us to run into his fortress - he provides the way, and he brings us there - to the place of safety.    Notice these protections occur in the midst of danger, traps, and hazards.  During the circumstances, He promises to rescue, protect, shield, and fend off the enemies of darkness, and the enemies of the day.

Commercial or movie phrases out of my past - things like Calgon, take me away, or Beam me up, Scottie, were our world's way of saying get me out of here.   Yet, God does even better, He enables us to rest without fear - while all the battles rage around us, we get to spend the night in HIS shadow. - not the enemy's.  I recall going into the basement of a building once to get something and when I turned to go back upstairs, in the dim light, I was faced with a countless number of shiny eyes - rats.  I'll tell you, I did not want to run through those eyes peering through the rafters surrounding the stairs.  Perhaps you've seen the eyes of animals shining in the evening light as we drive by in our safe metal cocoon.  Imagine the serious potential outcome from being outside of that cocoon facing those brilliant orbs above salivating fangs. Imagine their shadows - sometimes following, other times a step ahead.  Now imagine the shadow of Machseh, our refuge and shelter, falling over us and those the carriers of some fearsome untamed jaws.  I hope that we - that I - could truthfully say, "Well, God - Machseh - I trust in you - no matter what the shadows say."

Breakfast Fruit - Cara-Cara - so delicious - see yesterday's photo and description

Lunch - Autumn Gold Vegetable soup - Green pepper, zuchinni, yellow and orange carrots, celery, in chicken broth. Very hearty.

Dinner: Golden beets, baked and sliced over spinach - drizzled with Meyer-lemon olive oil, and sugar snap peas.

A favorite. Also exciting over Arugula with a little goat cheese and toasted walnuts.  Found the beets at Woodmans.

Evening snack:  Sliced Golden-Delicious apple and a few dried cranberries