God is our shade, helper, keeper and protector!

After going through a heat wave this week, I am even more aware of the importance of shade and relief from extreme temperatures. Our bodies can easily suffer from heat exhaustion and stress when faced with prolonged extreme temperatures. Our souls can feel stress and exhaustion if we don't find the Lord to be our shade, keeper, protector, and help. 'The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade on your right hand. The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night.' (Psalm 121:5, 6 ESV) Trey and I have needed to look for shade and protection from the heat just for our bodies to survive. It has been difficult without A/C, but God has kept us in His loving care and protected us from harm. 

Unfortunately, there have been fatalities from the heat. We can have fatalities in our spiritual lives when we listen to what our society says and become self-sufficient rather than God-sufficient. Why try to find help from anyone or anything other than the God who made heaven and earth? 'I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.' (Psalm 121:1, 2 ESV)

May we daily hide in His shade as we trust Him to keep us from all evil and do good to us. 'Do good, O Lord, to those who are good, and to those who are upright in their hearts!' (Psalm 125:4 ESV) Shade brings relief, comfort, and help to our physical bodies and God can be that shade to bring relief, comfort and help to our souls. Confess your dependence on Him today.