Nothing Can Separate

Psalm 91:1 ESV

Psalm 27:5 ESV

Psalm 46:1 ESV

Psalm 18:2 ESV

Nahum 1:7 ESV

Philippians 4:13 ESV

Romans 8:38-39 ESV

I grew up in Kansas City, Missouri during the 1950’s-1960’s in the heart of tornado country.

I remember spending a lot of time in our basement huddled up with my blanket and pillow. We had a routine when the tornado sirens went off. We would all grab basic supplies which included bread, peanut butter and jelly, bologna, milk, and water.

We prayed, prepared for the worse and hoped for the best.

I particularly remember hearing about the tornado that hit Ruskin Heights in 1957. We lived in Raytown which was near Ruskin Heights. When the F5 Tornado hit Ruskin Heights the destruction was massive. I was four years old when that tornado hit. After that event, everyone in the area took tornado warnings very seriously.

In Psalm 91:1 we read, “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.”

I’m not sure if it was because we had a lot of tornado warnings where I grew up, but I learned this verse when I was young.

I remember feeling like God was my shelter and I stood in the shadow of His wings. We probably learned that verse in Sunday School. I’m certain I equated God’s protection to the basement in my house where I grew up.

It turned out that knowing that verse and practicing believing that God was my protector from the terrible winds of a tornado was a good lifelong lesson for me.

I could see God sheltering me.

I knew God covered me.

Whenever I was afraid, I was reminded by the Holy Spirit that I resided in the shadow of the Almighty.

Psalm 91:1 carried me through many frightening and uncertain situations.

By learning and practicing scripture as a reminder when I was small, I readily remember all the times when God has protected me through the years.

Scripture…ancient words we memorize and practice throughout our lives uplifts and comforts in uncertain times. By relying on scripture we build confidence and develop a strong level of trust in God’s word.

That’s why I encourage others to develop their own treasure chest of scriptures that will help them navigate through life’s uncertainties.

Psalm 27:5 tells us, “For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of his tent; he will lift me high upon a rock.”

Psalm 46:1 says, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”

Psalm 18:2 assures us, “The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”

Nahum 1:7 “The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him.”

Philippians 4:13 says, “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”

I encourage others to memorize and practice using scripture to help them in their everyday lives.

When I first read The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom and saw the movie I became more convinced than ever than memorizing scripture was important. While Corrie had smuggled a Bible into her space in a Concentration Camp, I realized when I was 20 years old if I can memorize my own scriptures, those words will be forever embedded in my mind.

During my twenties I memorized as many scriptures as I could.

It turned out that was a great blessing, because as I grow older it’s much more difficult to memorize scripture. It’s also a great blessing because the words I learned when I was young still come to me today.

Nearly 50 years later the words from scripture come to me when I am afraid. It may not be fear of a tornado, but whatever I face today reminds me of God’s lifelong promise of protection.

While the tornadoes and physical stories in my life served as a reminder of God’s physical protection when I was young, through the years those Precious words from scripture also serve as a reminder that God protects me (us) emotionally.

I’ve learned that whatever I face is covered by God’s gracious loving-care. That’s because nothing can separate me (us) from God’s love. The Apostle Paul wrote in Romans 8:38-39, “For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Nothing.

Nothing can separate us from God’s love.

Today’s Spiritual Practice is: No Separation

Consider what God’s promise that nothing can separate you from God means to you.

In God, Deborah

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