This morning my thoughts are about “concerning” things. The things that pop into our minds trying to captivate our thoughts and rob our peace?
Pondering those things, a stanza of the “Midnight Ride of Paul Revere” came to mind.
“Listen, my children, and you shall hear…
He said to his friend, “If the British march
By land or sea from the town to-night,
Hang a lantern aloft in the belfry-arch
Of the North-Church-tower, as a signal-light,—
One if by land, and two if by sea;
And I on the opposite shore will be,
Ready to ride and spread the alarm
Through every Middlesex village and farm,
For the country-folk to be up and to arm.”
Now what does that poem have to do with anything?
Everything. It seems we always have a foe to face. Not many are an actual foe like the British were to the colonists during the revolution, but we fight them just the same.
We are ready spread the alarm when lay-offs threaten, when doctors’ reports reveal a dis-ease, a move takes us to an unknown place or death robs us of a loved one. Political unrest, social threats, even the smaller things like the first day of school, changing jobs, driving the freeway or facing a thunderstorm can be unsettling.
There’s a favorite verse of mine, I quote it often, however, this morning I couldn’t remember it’s exact location, so I put the words “perfect concern” in my Bible app to find it. Before I hit the enter key, I stared at those two words, perfect concern.
Our Father’s concern for our wellbeing is perfect! He wants us to come to Him in every situation because it’s with Him we find help. That’s another favorite verse of mine so, let’s look at both of them.
“Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me; You will stretch out Your hand
Against the wrath of my enemies, And Your right hand will save me. 8 The Lord will perfect that which concerns me; Your mercy, O Lord, endures forever; Do not forsake the works of Your hands.” Psalm 138:7-8 NKJV
“ For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:15-16 NKJV
Worry keeps us from trusting God and believing His word. He is always ready to help and handle our concerns. Worry isn’t from the Lord, peace is.
“You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.” Isaiah 26:3 NKJV
There’s that word “perfect” again and this time it’s coupled with the word peace. Perfect peace comes when we trust our Father.
So, if trouble is coming, whether by land, sea, air or just in our minds, we can hang a signal lantern in our hearts and the Lord will come to our rescue.
“He is the living God, the one who lives forever. His power and his kingdom will never end. 27 He rescues people and sets them free by working great miracles. Daniel’s God has rescued him from the power of the lions.” Daniel 6:26-27 CEV