OUR DAILY BREAD : ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE

[cimi]

June 26
Thursday


ROADSIDE
ASSISTANCE

READ:
Psalm 46
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God is our refuge
and strength, a very
present help in trouble.
Psalm 46:1
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An acquaintance of mine was hunting with friends near Balmoral, the country estate of the queen of England. As they walked, he twisted his ankle so badly that he couldn't go on, so he told his friends to continue and he would wait by the side of the road.

As he sat there, a car came down the road, slowed, and stopped. The woman driving rolled the window down and asked if he was okay. He explained and said he was waiting for his friends to return. She said, "Get in; I'll take you back to where you are staying." He limped to the car and opened the door only to realize that it was Queen Elizabeth!

As shocking as receiving help from the queen of England may be, we have an offer of help that is even more astounding. The Creator-God of the universe descends into our world, sees our trouble, and offers to marshal His resources to help us. As the psalmist confidently affirms, "God is...a very present help in trouble (Ps. 46:1). Our Savior helps by giving us grace to endure, His word to sustain us, friends to encourage and pray for us, and the confidence that He will ultimately work it all together for our spiritual good.

Next time you feel stranded along life's road, look for your Helper. __Joe Stowell

```````````````Lord, I'm thankful that when I experience trouble``````````````````
``````````````````You are waiting and wanting to help. Teach```````````````````
````````````````me to look to You and to rest in Your kind and```````````````````
`````````````````loving care until You deliver me safely home.``````````````````
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************************Today's Bible Reading __ Psalm 46**************************

1 God is our refuge and
strength, a very present help
in trouble. 2 Therefore we
will not fear, even though
the earth be removed, and
though the mountains be
carried into the midst of the
sea; 3 though its waters roar
and be troubled, though the
mountains shake with its
swelling.

4 There is a river whose
streams shall make glad the
city of God, the holy place
of the tabernacle of the
Most High. 5 God is in the
midst of her, she shall not
be moved; God shall help
her, just at the break of
dawn. 6 The nations raged,
the kingdoms were moved;
He uttered his voice, the
earth melted.

7 The LORD of hosts is
with us; the God of Jacob is
our refuge.

8 Come, behold the works
of the LORD, who has made
desolations in the earth.

9 He makes wars cease to
the end of the earth; He
breaks the bow and cuts the
spear in two; He burns the
chariot in the fire.

10 Be still, and know that I
am God; I will be exalted
among the nations, I will be
exalted in the earth!

11 The LORD of hosts is
with us; the God of Jacob is
our refuge.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>INSIGHT<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
Psalm 46 celebrates God as the supreme defender of His people.
This particular psalm inspired Martin Luther to write: "A mighty
fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing; our helper He, amid the
flood of mortal ills prevailing. For still our ancient foe doth seek to
work us woe; his craft and power are great, and, armed with cruel
hate, on earth is not his equal."