Conversations with God

"Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, 'He is my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust...He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart'" (Psalm 91:1-2, 4). I’ve always loved this verse. There’s just a comfort I’ve gotten from the picture of being under His wing. Recently I was talking with God about how much I appreciate the feeling of being hedged in by Him. I like the feeling of safety. I remembered this verse about being under His wing and pictured myself as a little chick. I was surprised when He said, “No.” He gave me another picture – a graceful lady falcon, a trained bird who is a fierce hunter yet also fiercely loyal to her Master. A bird beautiful in flight who knows to whom she belongs and will always return. It made me realize limitations I’ve placed on myself. I don’t have to st...

Some might think it strange, but I love the Old Testament. I love reading and re-reading the story of God’s relationship with His people from its beginnings and through all its ups and downs. I remember hearing the idea as a child that God somehow had a personality transplant between the Old Testament and the New Testament. The unspoken inference was that I wanted to get to know the NT God, because the other One was mean and angry. But even a cursory reading of, say, Jeremiah or Isaiah shows how absurd that concept is. After every statement of disaster coming on His people who have stepped out of covenant with Him is the promise, “But I’m going to restore you to Me, and I’m going to do good for you, and you are going to dwell in the land in safety and provision.” God’s heart is to be in relationship with the people He created.   “They will be My people, and I will be their God.” This phrase is repeated at least 4 times in Jeremiah alone. In Jeremiah 32:40-41, He goes...