The Upper Room of Nashville, Tennessee, United States Daily Devotional for "NEVER AN ANNOYANCE" Thursday, 17 August 2017 - Read Psalm 91:1-16

The Upper Room of Nashville, Tennessee, United States Daily Devotional for "NEVER AN ANNOYANCE" Thursday, 17 August 2017 - Read Psalm 91:1-16
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Psalm 91:1 You who live in the shelter of ‘Elyon,
who spend your nights in the shadow of Shaddai,
2 who say to Adonai, “My refuge! My fortress!
My God, in whom I trust!” —
3 he will rescue you from the trap of the hunter
and from the plague of calamities;
4 he will cover you with his pinions,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his truth is a shield and protection.
5 You will not fear the terrors of night
or the arrow that flies by day,
6 or the plague that roams in the dark,
or the scourge that wreaks havoc at noon.
7 A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand;
but it won’t come near you.
8 Only keep your eyes open,
and you will see how the wicked are punished.
9 For you have made Adonai, the Most High,
who is my refuge, your dwelling-place.
10 No disaster will happen to you,
no calamity will come near your tent;
11 for he will order his angels to care for you
and guard you wherever you go.
12 They will carry you in their hands,
so that you won’t trip on a stone.
13 You will tread down lions and snakes,
young lions and serpents you will trample underfoot.
14 “Because he loves me, I will rescue him;
because he knows my name, I will protect him.
15 He will call on me, and I will answer him.
I will be with him when he is in trouble.
I will extricate him and bring him honor.
16 I will satisfy him with long life
and show him my salvation.”
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May your unfailing love be my comfort. [Psalm 119:76 (NIV)]
My two cats, Samantha and Chloe, both love to lie in my lap. Chloe is quite personable and affectionate. Samantha, on the other hand, seems to need constant reassurance that she is loved. Some days it seems that every time I sit down, Samantha is right there waiting to jump onto my lap. At times I find her constant attention-seeking annoying.
One morning as I pushed Samantha away, I thought about how God never pushes me away when I come. Sometimes I feel confident in my relationship with God, and I delight in praising God as much as I do in seeking God’s help. Other times, I come to God in desperation, needing a place of refuge and restoration. I also need reassurance that God loves me. Many passages in the Bible tell us that God loves us and will always be with us. I never have to wonder whether God will have time for me or how God will receive me. God always has time for us, and always reaches out to us with loving arms.
See a photo of Pat's cats, here.

Pat’s cat Chloe

Pat’s cat Samantha

Samantha and Chloe

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The Author: Pat Luffman Rowland (Tennessee, USA)
Thought for the Day: Today I will encourage someone by showing God’s love.
Prayer: Dear God, thank you for loving us and always being available to comfort and encourage us. Amen.
Prayer focus: SOMEONE WHO NEEDS REASSURANCE
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