In that day this song will be sung in the land of Judah:
We have a strong city;
God makes salvation
its walls and ramparts.
Open the gates
that the righteous nation may enter,
the nation that keeps faith.
You will keep in perfect peace
him whose mind is steadfast,
because he trusts in you.
Trust in the Lord forever,
for the Lord, the Lord, is the Rock eternal.
Isaiah 26:1-4
As I stood making my breakfast smoothie this morning, my dear daughter told me, "It's going to be 82 degrees today.."
"Really?" I asked, thinking how nice 80's sound after these evening lows in the 30's again.
"..in Hawaii," my dear child finished her sentence, which I had interrupted with my comment.
"Of course it is!" I laughed, mentally traveling with her to the beaches of Waikiki. My family loves Hawaii, no doubt about it!
Mental Vacations
Whether or not you have been to Hawaii, you probably have a place in your mind to which you like to travel for get-aways. I think we all do. It's our "happy place" we can go to when real life is overwhelmingly difficult. Being present in the moment is sometimes too stressful to handle. We need those mental vacation spots to take us away, even if for a brief moment of respite.
In today's key verse from the prophet Isaiah, we read a song of praise and remember that God is the ultimate vacation destination. His city walls are salvation. The righteous and faithful enter through its gates. Girlfriends, the calm we seek, whether we vacation for real or simply "mind travel", is waiting for us in the Lord:
You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. Isaiah 26:3
You do not have to board a plane or hire a travel agent. Jesus can take you in an instant to that place of perfect peace and tranquility. Trust in Him; keep your mind fixed upon Him.
Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord, is the Rock eternal. Isaiah 26:4
The Rock
The Lord is our Rock eternal...I love that thought. When we traveled to Florida for spring break, we drove out to the jetty and sat on the rocks to watch the dancing waves and pursue glimpses of sea creatures! In Hawaii last year, we climbed to the top of a huge rock for the thrill of jumping and falling twenty-five feet into the water below. (Or leaning back and not-so-thrillingly smacking your back and thighs onto the water and bruising from neck to knees, as was my case!) Even here in Lemont, I enjoy hiking out to the quarry and sitting on the rocks, feeling the breeze through my hair and the warmth reflecting off the stone.
But Ladies, the Lord is our Rock eternal! He is THE rock upon which we can always rest steady no matter where we find ourselves or in what condition. He is strong, steadfast, and sturdy.
My prayer for you today is that next time you desire to take a mental vacation, go to that beautiful place in your mind--the ocean, the forest, the canyon --wherever it may be. But take the Lord with you. Keep your mind resting upon the Rock of your salvation wherever you go, and peace will surely be yours all the days of your life!
Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Psalm 95:1 NIV
Loving you!
