Tag: christianity

Poetry by Kay Cude. Used with permission.  Right click on image to open larger in new tab. Or read the text below the artwork. Artist’s statement:

I keep returning to our (me!!) needing to “remember” God’s promises and provision. GOD THE I AM is the only fortress in Whom we find a righteous protector, defender and provider. He is the only place of eternal refuge from the world’s continuing tragedies and chaos. He is the stronghold Who is and Who will provide peace, wisdom, understanding, instruction and endurance.

FACING FEAR:
IN THE MIDST OF GOD’S PROVIDENCE
As waves of fear rolled nearer still, as deep its swell approached us nigh; our hearts near failed as we cried out, “O Lord, Your servants rescue now!” And crashed the waves of terror strong, our lives at risk — we knew death’s tide; yet stilled our hearts Your Glorious Word and on we clung and Truth prevailed.

As deep and dark, as depth of brine, we battled ‘gainst the foe’s onslaught; its torrents fierce as bounding main, — with cruelest rage this foe can slay. Yet in Your Will, O Saviour ours, Salvation’s Light’s our mighty Ark; afloat we stay midst evil’s gale, for You prevail within its rage.

Afloat we ride with knowledge sure, we look ahead with strength not ours; Endurance meets us Face-to-face, ’tis You our Strength our sure Bulwark, The fears we face — our spirit’s gain, makes strong we resolute of heart, to live God’s Will through providence — and triumph through His Will’s Intent.

~kay cude, October 1, 2017

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“The LORD is my Rock and my Fortress and my Deliverer, my GOD, my Rock, in whom I take refuge; my Shield and the Horn of my Salvation, my Stronghold. I call upon the LORD, WHO is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies. The cords of death encompassed me, and the torrents of ungodliness terrified me. The ropes of Sheol entangled me; the snares of death confronted me. In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried to my GOD for help; HE heard my voice out of HIS TEMPLE, and my cry for help before HIM CAME INTO HIS EARS.” Psalm 18:2-6

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Study Resources:

Desiring God: God’s Bright Design for Your Bitter Providences

Mike Ratliff: Persecution is the Natural Result of Teaching or Preaching without Compromise

Bible.org: Lesson 61: God’s Providential Protection (Acts 23:12-35)

Phil Johnson: Providence IS Remarkable

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OUR FORTRESS PREVAILS
Refer to Psalm 46. FEAR NOT, GOD IS OUR ETERNAL REFUGE AND STRENGTH.

“We will not fear, for God hath willed His Truth to triumph through us; The body they may kill. God’s Truth abideth still, His Kingdom is FOREVER.” ~Martin Luther

IT IS the grace of God through His unfathomable mercy through the power of His predetermined love that urges us to remain and stand in His will concerning providence! WHAT THEN

IS IT that assails our thoughts with such unrelenting vengeance that can tempt us into overbearing fear when trials overtake us?

IT IS not remembering His Word — that He is Sovereign over all circumstances and issues we will encounter during our lives, during our service to, for and through Him…

Art: THE NINTH WAVE, Hovhannes Aivazovsky (1817-1900) PD, State Russian Museum, St. Petersburg. https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid-21854187