Brown's Daily Word 1-8-10

Good morning,

Praise the Lord for this new day in our Lord's Eternal Kingdom. The world is seized with fear and threat of terrorism, danger, and even death. People are scurrying for safety, sanity, and security. In Psalm 37, David tells us that the Lord will hide him in His pavilion. A king's pavilion was a tent that erected in the middle of the army's encampment. The tent was thus surrounded by a army of brave soldiers. With all the host of the army camped about, this was the safest place on the battlefield. Those who were fortunate enough to be allowed to enter the king's pavilion were protected by the soldiers and entertained by the king during the battle!

Life on earth is not a play ground; it is a battle ground. Often the godless culture emphasizes leisure, play, and pleasure. Often the culture without Christ becomes obsessed with entertainment and sports. My children used to sing a song by the Continentals, years ago, "Nero's watching videos while Rome begins to burn". The hedonistic culture is bent on spending all the God-given resources on self-gratification and pleasure. For the Hedonistic culture life is a play ground. Those who are sold out to the mind set that life is a play ground become disillusioned very quickly. For Christians, life is a battle ground and the Battle belongs to the Lord.

As the battles of life rage about us, we are safely tucked away in our King's pavilion. The Bible tells us that "your life is hid with Christ in God", Col. 3:3! Could there be a safer place in all the universe? Of course not! Those who have entered His pavilion are protected by Him and, even while the battles rage around them, they are entertained with the peace and joy of the King Himself. This is promise to those who will abide in that close place! No enemy could penetrate the defenses and enter this private place. It is protected from the enemy!

1. We have a place to exchange our trouble for His peace, 1 Pet. 5:7; Phil. 4:6-7.

2. We have a place to find joy, even during the most troublesome times, 1 Pet. 1:8.

3. Notice the great promise of John 15:11 for those who will abide close to Him!

The assurance of His powerful guardianship allows us to weather the storms of life with confidence and victory. This was what allowed David to face Goliath. This was the confidence that kept Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. This was the assurance that gripped the heart of Daniel! This was the knowledge that allowed Paul to continue, even when he suffered greatly, 2 Cor. 12:7-11.

The same assurance these men had as they faced life is the same assurance we have as we face each day. The Lord still hides us away in His pavilion to provide safety and joy, even during the battles! He puts us in a place where the enemy cannot approach us. The enemies of life may snarl and threaten, but they are powerless to reach us when we are sheltered by the Lord!

Victory in Jesus.

In His Grace,

Brown