sometimes can't see his opponent approaching. Stunned
at first, the QB gets up, shakes off the hit and calls
another play.
quarterback is gang tackled.
pain came from congenital fusions in my upper ver-
tebrae, the condition inoperable. Later that week,
after a falling folding table twisted up my left knee,
arthroscopic surgery failed to resolve the problem. A
follow-up appointment revealed that I had borderline
diabetes. Shortly thereafter, I received a phone call
from my daughter--my mom had just passed away.
through my Bible, looking for encouragement. That's
when I rediscovered Psalm 27. One particular verse
grabbed my attention: "For in the day of trouble He will
keep me safe in His dwelling; He will hide me in the shel-
ter of His tabernacle and set me high upon a rock" (v. 5).
who slandered his name. Discouraged and depressed, this
leader of a nation longed for a place to hide. David found
it in a relationship with God, and in the sharing of that
divine Spirit this desperate man found a refuge in which
to hide and a supernatural rock on which to firmly stand.
exalted above the enemies who surround me" (vs. 6).
The higher vantage point gave David a new perspec-
tive. His enemies looked feeble and his problems small
compared to God's deep, enduring promises.
the same.
on. During such times, we can trust God to lead us to
higher ground--that special rock of refuge found only
in Him. The provision of such an unshakable founda-
tion is something to be forever and always thankful for,
and in that thankfulness we can find renewed strength
to fight back with the love that comes from above.
Charles Earl Harrel lives in Portland, Oregon.
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