by Robert Fudge (while on vacation)

I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. 2 My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth. 3 He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber. 4 Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. 5 The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand. 6 The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night. 7 The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul. 8 The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.

As we sit nestled in the Ozark Mountains in the town of Branson we look at one of the great wonders of God. The trees are just starting to turn their fall colors but the beauty and majesty of the woods all around shout the glory of God. While God does not literally come from the mountains we can see his awesome power in them. The LORD made the heaven and earth and he keeps watch over us. He does not sleep or slumber; he is not distracted by what is going on around us. He cares for us and wants what is best for us.

God is our protector. He will not allow us to be tempted beyond what we are able to bear but with each temptation will provide a way of escape. Not only does he provide the escape, but he gives grace sufficient for every trial, problem, temptation and hardship. What a wonderfully awesome God to be mindful of us. God gives us the strength and the grace to overcome, but what have we done with it? Have we allowed our problems and trials to make us better and stronger? Have we used our trials to allow us to help others with theirs? Paul tells us in 2 Cor. 1:3-4: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort; 4 who comforts us in all our affliction so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

The more we know God, the more like him we can become. It has been said that no man can ever rise above the god he serves. That is why those who serve man made gods and things created by God fall farther and farther away from him instead of drawing closer to him. If we truly serve the infinite, all-wise and all powerful God of the Bible we will humble ourselves and become more like him each day. The more we respect him as God the more we enjoy serving him. Remember what Paul said in Romans 1 that those who did not recognize him as God were given over by him to all kinds of immorality and ungodliness.

We live in a world today where many follow the doctrine of humanism. This deifies man and relegates God to our level. It is no wonder that so many have no morals and support so many things that are ungodly and against God. We need to humbly submit to His will for our lives and strive to be more like Him in all we are. Praise God for his power and His majesty that is shown to us every day in the beauty of nature. It is this God who helps us and will never forsake us.

Dear God, please help each of us to open our hearts and allow your Spirit to fill us with your love. Help us to allow your Spirit to mold us and make us more like you. Help us to know your kindness, your forgiveness through the blood of Jesus by your grace. Help us to show that same love and kindness in our forgiveness toward those around us. We offer this prayer in Jesus name.

May God bless each of us as we live for him.