Near the edges of the deck, the rabbit’s presence is detectable and Beamer and Kari use every bit of their resourcefulness to get at him. These efforts are unsuccessful only because the deck is secured and the opening through which the rabbit goes in and out is far too small for the dogs to access. They may bark, paw at and even dig a little, but the rabbit is safe in the place he has chosen to make home.
As
children of God we have a safe place that we can call home. “He
who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall remain stable and fixed under the shadow of the
Almighty [Whose power no foe can withstand].” (Psalm 91:1 AMP)
The Lord has called us not simply to come for a visit, but to make our
dwelling with Him. Here we dwell in complete safety.
According to thesaurus.com, the most accurate
synonyms for dwelling are habitat and residence. These words indicate an
ongoing, continual presence in a specific location. A habitat is the natural
environment that promotes life and growth and a residence is the place where
one stays or lives. We are to live
continually with the Lord in the habitat of His safety and protection. Scripture
tells us, “And He raised us up together
with Him and made us sit down together [giving us joint seating with Him] in
the heavenly sphere [by virtue of our being] in Christ Jesus (the Messiah, the
Anointed One).” (Ephesians 2:6 AMP)
Consider that! Jesus has been raised from the dead and is seated at God’s right
hand and we are with Him. This is our current residence.
The most accurate synonyms for the verb, dwell, include not only inhabit
and reside, but also bide, exist and hole up. Our very being and existence is
to be holed up with God. This is where we find our strength and ability. Jesus
told his disciples, “Dwell in Me, and I will dwell in
you. [Live in Me, and I will live in you.] Just as no branch can bear fruit of
itself without abiding in (being vitally united to) the vine, neither can you
bear fruit unless you abide in Me.” (John 15:4 AMP) We must be
connected with Him for strength and life to flow through us.
Storms of life and agents of the enemy's
plans may be aware of us, but they cannot touch us as long as we are dwelling with
God. He has placed his protection around us. In that shelter of God's wings
nothing can reach us. “[Then] He will cover you with His
pinions, and under His wings shall you trust and find refuge; His truth and His faithfulness are a shield and a buckler.” (Psalm 91:4 AMP) We may see the storms raging and even feel the effects
of its winds, but we remain safe and secure with our Heavenly Father. He is
truly our shelter at all times.
Our little rabbit must venture outside his safe
place beneath the deck to find food. We on the other hand have everything we
need in the presence of God. Why would we ever even consider straying outside
of this dwelling place that God has prepared for us? Those things that entice
us will merely ensnare us by taking us outside of the Heavenly Father’s protection.
Like my dogs, the enemy of our soul hunts, waiting to trap and destroy us as
soon as we are within his reach. “Be
well balanced (temperate, sober of mind), be vigilant and cautious at all times; for that enemy of yours, the devil,
roams around like a lion roaring [in fierce hunger], seeking someone to seize
upon and devour.” (1 Peter 5:8 AMP) We cannot risk departing from God’s protection by running
after worldly desires for a snare has been set and a predator awaits. As you face today, and every day, be ever vigilant to not stray outside the dwelling place of your Heavenly Father. Live securely and joyfully holed up in His protection.
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