FWD: Morning Manna July 23-BP: Ps. 119:113-120; RBTTY: Acts 24; Ps. 33-34

 
Samuel D. High
sdhigh@aristotle.net

 

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-----Original Message-----
From: "Smith, Lynn " <lsmith20@Central.UH.EDU>
Sent: Tue, 22 Jul 2008 06:05:09 -0500
To: "Smith, Lynn " <lsmith20@Central.UH.EDU>
Subject: Morning Manna July 23-BP: Ps. 119:113-120; RBTTY: Acts 24; Ps. 33-34
 

July 23                                                                             “Our Hiding Place and Hope”

 

“You are my Hiding Place and my Shield.  I hope in Your Word. . .Uphold me according unto Your Word, that I may live—and let me not be ashamed of my hope.”

                                                                                                             Psalm 119:114, 116

     When our faith and hope are rooted in “Who He is” and “What He has promised” (Heb. 11:6), we need never worry about admitting we made a mistake.

     Hope and assurance.

     That’s the twin message of today’s Manna and one that’s desperately needed in these last days.  Because of misplaced trust and misguided priorities, today’s world increasingly resembles a captain-less, rudder-less sailboat on the high seas being blown here-and-there by the whims of the wind.

 

     Although making good time, the small craft lacks direction.  And, although the deep, dark, blue seas. . .clear skies and puffy clouds overhead. . .and soothing sea breezes make for an idyllic, vacation get-away, those on the boat know that it’s just a matter of time before the winds will drive the boat (and her sailors) onto the rocks and broken into pieces by the pounding waves.

 

     The dream will have turned into disaster, destruction, death and despair (if any survive the crash).

     So, in desperation, those clinging to the ship’s sides and seats are crying, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” (Acts 2:37b).  And, the anonymous author of our Manna—and the Psalmist David (if he’s not the writer) of this blessed song—cry, “Hope in God—for He, and He alone, is your Help and Health and the sure, steadfast Anchor of your soul” (Ps. 42:5, 11; Heb. 6:17-20).

 

     Read his words once again:  “You are my Hiding Place.”  The Hebrew word “cithrah” is used here for “Hiding Place” and also means “covering, secret refuge, protection, concealment, etc.”  This conjures up the picture of some type of cave or castle—a permanent source of security, etc.  And, when coupled with “my Shield”—which was one’s individual means of “portable protection” in war when the “fiery darts” are flying—we get the picture of “total, blessed assurance” wherever we are.

 

     Likewise, when we read “I hope in Your Word” . . .“Uphold (Heb. ‘camak’—‘to prop up, lean upon, establish, sustain, stand fast, etc.’) me according unto Your Word” . . .and “Hold me up (Heb. ‘ca ‘ad’—‘to support, comfort, strengthen, be upheld, refresh, etc.’)” (v.117a), we see how our security and serenity (peace-of-mind, assurance) are inward, not outward.

     Simply put, when He is our “Hiding Place and Shield,” we need not look elsewhere for assistance and assurance.  He—and He alone—is all that we need.  We begin “hating vain thoughts, but love His Law” (v.113) and distance ourselves from those who love the world more than the Risen Lord (v.115).  We know that they—not us—are the ones who soon will be crashing without hope (vv.118-119; cf. Ps. 73:1-20).  We must try to warn them, but not despair when they refuse to heed our cries.  Instead, we will continue “reverencing Him” (v.120) and rest in Him and His Word, our “Blessed Assurance.”

 

 

Thanks,

 

 

Mr. Lynn M. Smith

Department Business Administrator

Department of Economics

University of Houston

204C McElhinney Hall

Houston, TX 77204-5019

(713) 743-3802 (office)

(713) 743-3798 (fax)

LSmith20@central.uh.edu (email)

http://www.class.uh.edu/econ/ (department website)