The Secret Garden Chronicles Day 18 "Held In His Mighty Arms"

It is hard to believe that I missed the last three days of actually coming into and sitting in the Secret Garden...but each day presented different circumstances, and also different ways and reasons to praise the Lord in various places.  I am so thankful for the way the Lord had prepared me spiritually for those days...as well as in giving me the "rest" necessary to be able to withstand all of the activities and emotional turmoil involved.

In reading back over the past few days in Sarah Young's marvelous devotional book, "Jesus Calling",  I was amazed at how many times Jesus was "calling" us to

"Seek My face and you will find not only My Presence but also My Peace" (February 5th), 

"Come to Me and REST.  I AM all around you, to bless and restore!" (February 6th)

"Come to Me for REST and Refreshment" (February 7th)

"I AM above all things; 

your problems, your pain, 

and the swirling events in this everchanging world." (February 8th)

"Seek MY face more and more"; and also "TRUST ME and don't be afraid, 

for I AM your strength and song!"  (February 9th)

Wow!  When I was following the ambulance with my hubby inside on this same day (9th), I was singing, "Jesus, Jesus, How I TRUST You."  And He truly WAS my strength and my song!! 

Today, February 10th, says, "Trust Me enough to spend ample time with Me, pushing back the demands of the day..."  and that is where I am right now, Lord, sitting here in the Secret Garden with You..."pushing back the demands of the day", and also, as the next line reads, I "refuse to feel guilty about something that is so pleasing to" YOU, "The King of the Universe!"

Yes, I could be inside the house, cleaning up from several days' neglect due to all the activities.  But Lord, You know how much I crave this time alone with You!  I truly believe that I will be better equipped to tackle whatever "needs" to be done inside if I spend this time here, outside, with You!

My spirit, mind, and body needs to be refreshed, revived, and restored back into a right fellowship and rhythm with You at the center of My being...blocking out all of the distractions and concerns of the past few days, even though most were very pleasant distractions indeed, but some were not so pleasant, and my heart and mind have been rather disturbed over the sudden illness of my hubby.  Even though it turned out all right for now, we realize there is the possibility of future such "episodes" if things are not attended to and properly corrected.  And that leaves me with an uneasy feeling and a kind of insecurity in my mind that I don't like!

Isaiah 12:2-6 reminds me again to trust in God, and not be afraid:

2."Behold, God is my salvation;

I will trust and not be afraid;

For YAH, the Lord, is my strength and song;

He has also become my salvation."

3.  "Therefore with JOY

you will draw water from 

the wells of salvation.

4.  And in that day you will say:

Praise the Lord.

Call upon His name,

Declare His deeds among the peoples,

make mention that His name is exalted.

5.  Sing to the Lord,

For He has done excellent things;

This is known in all the earth.

6.  Cry out and shout, O inhabitant of Zion,

For great is the Holy One of

Israel in your midst."

Yes, Lord, I will continue to TRUST in YOU no matter what the future may hold, because I know that YOU hold my future in Your hands.  Therefore, I do not need to be afraid!

I was looking through my hymnal for another song, and came across this one that is even better:

"Held In His Mighty Arms" by Winfield Macomber

(sung by Christine Wyrtzen in the link above)

"Safe is my refuge,

sweet is my rest;

Ill cannot harm me,

nor foes e'er molest.

Jesus my spirit so tenderly calms,

Holding me close in His mighty arms!

Oh, what wonderful, wonderful rest!

Trusting completely in Jesus I'm blest;

Sweetly He comforts and shields from alarms;

Holding me safe in His mighty arms."

Yes, Thank You, Jesus, for holding me safe in Your mighty arms!!  When I am held close in Your arms I need not fear or be alarmed about anything.  I can rest peacefully in my safe refuge...Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior.  Praise God!!!  Amen.

P.S:  I can't believe I forgot that today is FRIDAY FOTO FRIENDS DAy!!!   That just shows you how discombobulated I have been this week!!  So, friends, I will repost this as my Friday Foto Friends post for today.  Sorry I am late to the gathering!!  Click HERE for other great posts from my friends today.