What Do You See Outside YOUR Open Window Today?

What Do You See Outside YOUR Open Window Today?
Remember: "When God closes a door, He always opens a window!" You never know what might be out there waiting for you!

Monday, March 6, 2017

The Secret Garden Chronicles-Sheltered and Protected

I tried to sit in the Secret Garden today, but the chickadees are still trying to build their nest in the birdhouse, and it became quite apparent that I was hampering their progress by my presence in the garden.

I tried to just sit real still and quietly, but as soon as they saw me there they started chattering back and forth...and looking at me, and then flying around to other limbs, and the birdie with the nesting materials in her mouth just would NOT go in the birdhouse as long as I remained sitting there.

And then a bug dropped on me from the tree above that looked too much like a tick or small spider or something...I didn't let it stay on me long enough to get it's entomological identification...I quickly brushed him off, checked myself for other bugs, gathered up my stuff and decided to move to the front porch.  The porch has been rather sadly neglected since I developed the Secret Garden.  So I thought this would be a good time to enjoy it before the weather gets too hot to sit out there!




So, as I sat there on the porch trying to "relax" and get focused on what the Lord would say to me today...it took me a few minutes to adjust to my new surroundings...and finally I just had to pray...
"Lord, help me to focus my thoughts and attention on YOU and YOU alone!"

I had written down this verse the other day when I saw it referred to in one of my daily devotions:

"And He (God) said, 
'My Presence will go with you,
and I will give you rest.'"
Exodus 33:14

Rest is my "One Word" for this year, and so I know that is why this verse caught my attention.  I love what God is saying actually to Moses here, when the Israelites were wandering in the wilderness after escaping Egypt.  I am sure Moses needed to find rest as he was under so much pressure from the people on every side. What a comfort this must have been to Moses, to hear God tell him that His Presence would go with him, and that He would give him rest.  

And then further down, in verses 18-23, Moses had asked the Lord if He would please show him His glory...and God explained to Moses that "no man shall see Me, and live..." (verse 20), but God did something very special for Moses in verses 21-23. 

21.  "And the Lord said, 'Here is a place by Me,
and you shall stand on the rock.

22.  So it shall be, while My glory passes by, 
that I will put you in the cleft of the rock, and cover you
with My hand while I pass by.

23.  Then I will take away My hand, and you shall see 
My back, but My face shall not be seen."

I love how God did not put Moses down for asking this special request, but instead He placed Moses in a safe place, actually right beside Him, and He covered Moses with His hand while He passed by so that Moses would not die...and yet he would witness the Lord passing by. God must have loved Moses very much, don't you think?

Also, in another place, Isaiah 51, verse 16, God tells Isaiah

"I have covered you with the shadow of My hand."

Perhaps this is the message God is wanting to get across to me (and maybe you) today...nothing too deep or profound...just to know that He is sheltering me here, in the "cleft of the rock", "under the shadow of His hand"...

Isaiah 51:12-13 further tells me this:

12.  "I, even I, am He who comforts you.
Who are you that you should be afraid 
of a man who will die,
and of the son of a man who will be made like grass?

13.  And you forget the Lord your Maker,
Who stretched out the heavens
and laid the foundations of the earth..."

Yes,, Lord, sometimes I DO give in to fears...not so much the BIG fears of life, but often the little insignificant fears that nag at my mind...stupid stuff  (like bugs falling out of trees?...Well maybe it's okay to be a little afraid of that, isn't it Lord???)

Well, maybe I do worry about some of the big stuff too...like getting older, health concerns for myself and/or my hubby, financial issues, etc....

Psalm 71 reminds me in David's "Prayer for Old Age"

5.  "For You are my hope, O Lord God;
You are my trust from my youth.

6.  By You I have been upheld from birth;
You are He who took me out of my mother's womb.
My praise shall be continually of You."

9.  "Do not cast me off in the time of old age;
Do not forsake me when my strength fails.

17.  "O God, You have taught me from my youth;
and to this day I declare Your wondrous works.

18.  Now also when I am old and grayheaded ,
O God, do not forsake me,
Until I declare Your strength to this generation,
Your power to everyone who is to come."


As most of you know by now, I love to include old hymns with these posts, because often as I am writing the Lord reminds me of a song and I can't stop until I've looked it up and sung it for all to hear...(probably what keeps scaring the birds away...), but today this song blessed my heart as I read about God hiding Moses in the cleft of the rock...and I wanted to share it with you.  


  1. A wonderful Savior is Jesus my Lord,
    A wonderful Savior to me;
    He hideth my soul in the cleft of the rock,
    Where rivers of pleasure I see.
    • Refrain:
      He hideth my soul in the cleft of the rock,
      That shadows a dry, thirsty land;
      He hideth my life in the depths of His love,
      And covers me there with His hand,
      And covers me there with His hand.
  2. A wonderful Savior is Jesus my Lord,
    He taketh my burden away,
    He holdeth me up and I shall not be moved,
    He giveth me strength as my day.
  3. With numberless blessings each moment He crowns,
    And filled with His fullness divine,
    I sing in my rapture, oh, glory to God!
    For such a Redeemer as mine.
  4. When clothed with His brightness transported I rise
    To meet Him in clouds of the sky,
    His perfect salvation, His wonderful love,
    I’ll shout with the millions on high.


I'm sorry that video didn't include all of the verses, but you can keep singing now that you know the tune!

I pray that today you will feel the wonderful protection of the Lord over your life, as He shelters you in the cleft of the rock, and covers you there with His hand!  We are so blessed to be His children! Amen?  Praise God!!  Have a beautifully blessed day, my friends.

18 comments:

  1. Often, as I am growing older, refer to Psalm 71. It has always brought comfort to me. God has been with me since my youth, I can look back and see where He has kept me from doing something I would regret. His mercy is ever with me. Thank you Pamela, as always your post has touch my heart and soul and brought joy. Have a blessed day!

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    1. Isn't it wonderful to know that the Lord Who brought us into this world will be with us as we exit this world as well? And then, best of all, we will spend all of eternity with Him forever!!!!! Praise God for His love and comfort and covering over us each day!

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  2. I love that old hymn. This post spoke so much to me about my own fears. Sometimes when I try to have my quiet time with the Lord I get so distracted by even the least little thing. One of my biggest hindrances is my phone. God has really been speaking to me about putting it down first thing in the morning. Thanks so much for sharing this advice and scripture.

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    1. Oh, I know what you mean...although we don't have smart phones here because out in the woods we don't have any signal...so I just have a flip phone for traveling into the city, etc. And since the Lord instructed me to take a journal and hand write my posts before I put them on the computer, I am not distracted by the computer/etc. while in the garden. I'm just distracted by the birds and bees and wind, and all that stuff! Almost as crazy as a phone! Those birds are noisy! LOL. I sometimes picture God taking my cheeks in His hands and turning my head to face Him...away from the distractions...and that actually helps me get re-focused! And it is a sweet thought too...

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  3. To know God shelters us in the cleft of the rock and covers us with His loving hand - such comfort and peace this gives me!
    Blessings, Pamela, and let us know how those chickadees are coming along with the nest. :)

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    1. Isn't that wonderful? A Wonderful Savior is Jesus My Lord!!! Amen! Yes, I will keep you posted on the chickadees...if they will let me watch for awhile! LOL. I hope someday to see little baby chickadees come out of there. I'll have to pay close attention...they are so tiny!

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  4. I love the Psalms. My favorite is Psalm 138:7-8; "Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life; you stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes. The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your love, O Lord, endures forever--do not abandon the works of your hand. (NIV) The King James says verse eight like this: The Lord will perfect that which concerns me.

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    1. Oh, yes, I love Psalm 138:8 in particular!! I've quoted that one many times, asking the Lord to not give up on me! He never does...and never will! Praise God!!

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  5. Wonderful post. I'm sorry you were kicked out of your garden by the chickadees - but we all have to be flexible sometime! LOL I love that old hymn. I love Psalm 91 where we can dwell in the secret place and be covered with His feathers. We don't just visit there, but we abide there. That always brings me comfort.

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    1. Ah Yes! Abiding in His Presence...under the "Shadow of the Almighty"...and "under His wings...covered with His feathers! What a beautiful picture of God's protective love sheltering His children. We are so beloved by Him. Yes, there is great comfort there. Thank you for reminding me of Psalm 91. So beautiful.

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  6. Amen...

    Pamela, this was a delight to read. As always.

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    1. Thank you Sandi. I am so glad you were able to come and abide with us in the shelter of the Lord!

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  7. I love those old hymns, I always feel close to God when I hear them or sing them. Music is a wonderful way to praise God, the God who hideth my soul in the cleft of the rock. Thank You Jesus.

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  8. Pam, It's such powerful imagery to consider how God hides us in the cleft of a rock. His protection is the best, as the metaphorical (and literal!) storms of life rage around and within us. Psalm 91 is a powerful prayer to pray. Abide. Rest. Be. Praise the Lord!

    Blessings!

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    1. Yes...Our Lord has us covered no matter what the storm of life...whether a real weather storm, or the personal storms of life...He has us covered safely in the shadow of His almighty hands. We are so loved. Yes, Praise the Lord!

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  9. Hello Pam, I so appreciated this post today. I have been busy with things here at the house the last several days or traveling and haven't been by for a few days, but I needed THIS post TODAY. Thank you so much for reminding me through God's own Word about rest and that HE is my protector and my place of rest. I love being in the shadow of His hand.

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    1. Isn't that a shady and cool, safe place to be? Protected and secured by the love of our Lord! We can not be in a better place! Thank you for stopping by today! God knew...His timing is perfect...always!

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