Thursday, June 29, 2017

SAFE

In Nahum 1:7, we read: “The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; And He knows those who trust in Him.”

“Thanks for letting me camp with Timmy, Mr. Knight.” Sam dropped his sleeping bag on the porch.

Grandfather chuckled. "Timmy couldn’t wait to get started this morning. He’s out there now.”

Grandfather watched the boys work. They built a fire pit, circled it with stones, cleaned the area for their sleeping bags, and stacked wood for the fire. Grandfather glanced at the kitchen bulletin board.

A typed sheet of paper--Safety Rules for Camping--was thumb-tacked to the board.
      No. 1. Be prepared. Listed under it were the utensils and supplies needed.
      No. 2. Be safe. Never leave the campfire unattended, watch for changes in weather, etc.
      No. 3  Expect the unexpected. Have extra batteries for flashlights, safety kit...
      No. 4  Don’t panic!

In the late afternoon, Grandfather called. “Ready for dinner?”

Timmy and Sam helped carry the food to the campsite. Hot dogs with the trimmings, baked beans, and marshmallows to roast.

“Wow. This looks good.” Later, the food consumed, they held their long skewers over the fire, toasting the last of the marshmallows.

“Uh-oh,” Timmy’s marshmallow blazed. He jerked it from the coals. It flipped, landed on the kindling. The sticky mess stuck, the wood flamed.

Grandfather dumped his water on the wood, separated it, covered the smoldering embers with dirt. "Rule No. 4. Don’t panic.”

“It happened so fast, I forgot the rule.” Timmy hiccuped. “ I’m glad you were here.”

“I am, too, Timmy. You need to know who's your stronghold. No matter if it’s an accident like a flying flaming marshmallow or a roaring fire set to destroy you. We can trust in the Lord.”

Kingdom Thinking. The Lord Jesus is my stronghold in my day of trouble. He promises never to leave nor forsake me. He loves me with an everlasting love. He will be your stronghold, too. Won’t you come to Him?