Tag Archives: Peace

The Air We Breathe

Bible Passages

Read Psalm 91.

The earth is the Lord’s, and all it contains, the world, and those who dwell in it.

Psalm 24:1 (NASB1995)

Devotion

I pray Psalm 91 every day. It is a prayer for God’s protection. I pray it for my house, my car, my friends and family, and many other things. One day while praying this prayer, I got a quick glimpse in my mind’s eye, a vision. As I prayed, I watched as a glowing blue layer of protection and love encircled the house, nestling into the foundation and securing it, transforming it from a house into a home protected by God’s might and love. It was personal and magical. I felt a warm comfort and peace.

Since then, I started looking for something that has that same kind of blue, multifaceted and iridescent, sort of like a rainbow of blues, from cyan and sky blue to royal and navy blue. One day, I realized I had seen that same rainbow of blue color in pictures of Earth from space. The beautiful blue layer of gases around our planet is very similar to the blue layer of protection I saw around my house! Yes, I immediately grasped the implication. Our planet has a layer of protection from God. I had simply tapped into His protective atmosphere by praying Psalm 91 and directing it toward my house.

When God created this world, He put down a layer of protection over it. We call it the atmosphere. It keeps us safe from harmful rays from the sun. It provides us the exact amount of nitrogen, oxygen, and other gases that we need, perfectly balanced by the global ecosystem. It hosts the winds and the rains, in their many forms.

I began to notice many of the televangelist shows use some of those very same blues to light their stages. Is it a coincidence? This can’t be random. Is there someone on their crew or staff who has seen this beautiful blue blanket, and understands the power in these colors? Maybe one day someone will talk about it on their show, but to me it seems like they, too, are trying to recreate the color of God’s blessing.

It’s popular among the faith community to pray Psalm 91 these days. It feels a bit like I’m following a fad. I know I’m not, and I hope it is not just a fad. My hope is that you begin to pray and study this passage regularly. Due to its current popularity, it is easy to find books and articles that teach you how to pray this powerful Bible passage. Memorize it if you can. It’s a little long, with 16 verses, but every word is charged with meaning and power. Every tough situation you face is covered by at least one verse. The last few verses sing of victory over hardship.

When you are under attack, this is a mighty sword. If you pray Psalm 91, you might even get a glimpse of the Word at work, as I did. Maybe you, too, can see the blue blanket of protection as it wraps itself around you and your home. Even if you don’t, you can rest assured it’s there, shielding you from the woes of this world. All you have to do is pray, and breathe in God’s protection, the air, which He provided for us.

Prayer Focus

Those in need of protection.

Prayer

Almighty God, Savior of the world, our Light in the darkness, protect me from the evils of the world. Keep me safe in Your loving arms. Grant me Your peace in all things. Guide my feet along Your path. Lead me into Your righteousness. Amen.

Final Thought

God’s protection and love are even in the air we breathe.

But God …

Bible Passages

Read 1 Corinthians 2:1-5.

“Now may the God of peace, who brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, make you complete in everything good so that you may do his will, working among us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory for ever and ever. Amen.” – Hebrews 13:20-21 (NSRV)

Devotion

As a mature, responsible young adult, I tried very hard to handle my own affairs. Juggling schedules, finances, people, and family was too much. I always dropped one or two balls. My biggest problem, I found out, was me. I was not capable of stepping far enough back or climbing up high enough to see the big picture, but God is. He created the one true “big picture,” and created me to do my part in it.

By trying to do things on my own, I actually created more stress and chaos than if I had done what God was telling me to do. I forgot where to get strength and wisdom. I forgot a lot of things, but God never does. He has a plan, and created me to fit exactly where He needs me to be.

When I forget to listen to Him, He sends me a message. It might be in the form of a friend’s comment during a conversation. I might hear something on the radio or television. Usually, it it a small tug on my heart. Sometimes, He takes matters into His own hands and speaks to me directly.

Once, shortly after my husband died, I was so lost, confused, overwhelmed and stressed out, He actually said loudly, “Hush!” I got the message, and tried to quiet my mind enough for Him to get a word in edgewise. I’m not sure I succeeded completely, but God didn’t take any further corrective action, so I must have been partially successful, at least.

Other times, I feel like Jonah. I really don’t think I’m the right person for the job before me, and try to argue, in a piercing, whiny child voice, “But God, I can’t do that,” and run the other way. Fortunately, I haven’t been eaten by a whale, but I am sometimes swallowed by a giant swamp. I sink in the muck. I get tangled in the prickly briars. Moss gets in my hair. Bugs fly all around me. I think I’m done for, but God is always there to lift me out of the bog and set my feet on solid ground, once I quit running from His will and the task at hand.

Nope, there are no but’s about it. If I listen with my heart and obey that small, quiet voice within me, it all works out the way God intends and I can live a peaceful, happy life free from worry and stress. God knows what He’s doing, and He created me for a specific purpose. All I have to do is trust Him.

Prayer Focus

People struggling with God’s purpose for them.

Prayer

Almighty, All-Knowing, All-Seeing God, help me to listen with my heart to Your small, quiet voice. I know You will guide my travels through this life, and all I have to do is ask You for guidance. You prepared this path for me, and me alone. Let me be a vessel that carries Your love to my fellow human beings. Let me be a light to those seeking You. Let me be Your voice in the wilderness. Amen.

Final Thought

With God, there are no if’s, and’s or but’s.