Where Do You Stay?

Daily Reading: Deuteronomy 33-34

Scripture Focus: The eternal God is your dwelling place, and underneath are the everlasting arms. (Deuteronomy 33.27a)

Devotional Thought: Thirty-five years ago, when I moved to North Carolina, I had to undergo language therapy! I struggled with the heavy accent (and I'm sure they struggled with mine!), but I also did not get the local colloquialisms. One such phrase was the question, "Where do you stay?" I didn't know that the questioner was asking me, "Where do you live?"

I like the question, though. Where do you stay?

God considers us as his special heritage (Deuteronomy 32.9). We are the apple of his eye! Also, God is our dwelling place. The Bible says that "In him we live and move and have our being" (Acts 17.28). I like that. Living in him is not a static condition, but in him we live and move. No matter where we go, we find that we are living in Christ. Jesus said that he is with us to the very end of the age. The Psalmist marveled, "Where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me" (Psalm 139.7-10).

So, where do you stay? As you go through this day, remember that you stay with Jesus for "underneath are the everlasting arms!"

“Fear not, I am with thee, O be not dismayed, For I am thy God, and will still give thee aid; I'll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand, Upheld by My righteous, omnipotent hand.” (John Rippon)

Prayer: Lord, thank you that I live and move and have my being in you. Help me, to stay right there, upheld by your everlasting arms. Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 27.1-6

1 The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

2 When evildoers assail me to eat up my flesh, my adversaries and foes, it is they who stumble and fall.

3 Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war arise against me, yet I will be confident.

4 One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple.

5 For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of his tent; he will lift me high upon a rock.

6 And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me, and I will offer in his tent sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing and make melody to the Lord.