Safe Journeys

Isn`t it amazing how the Lord can speak into our lives with a specific word from the Scriptures?

I was with a group of people enjoying a walk along the cliffs at Portknockie to the beach at Cullen. We climbed down some steep steps leading to the beach, but in one place the steps were missing, and the pathway was bare soil and stones. It was quite difficult for us to avoid sliding on the slippery downhill slope. The words popped into my head, ‘God won’t let your foot slip’, and I mentioned it to my companion who knew those words came from Psalm 121. She told me all about the background to this psalm.

When I got back to Blairmore House, I studied Psalm 121 more closely. Psalm 121 is about the Lord`s protection for those who were travelling up to Jerusalem to worship at the temple. It speaks of a physical journey, but the meaning has significance for all Christians in a spiritual sense, as they journey through life, learning to put their trust in the Lord. Then, as I looked at various different translations, I was amazed to find a specific word of encouragement for myself.

My husband had been suggesting that I tried driving the car part of the way on the long journey from The Haugh of Glass, Aberdeenshire, to our village of Forton in Lancashire. Throughout our whole married life of fifty years I have never done the driving when we were together in the car, and I have only once attempted to drive on a motorway. That time I was to drive our old car home, as Paul had just bought a new car at an auction. As I drove along, it wasn`t long before I found myself in the wrong lane and had to come off the M6 on to the A6, so I felt rather stupid. Now there was a huge stronghold of fear at the mere thought of driving on the motorway.

There was an important reason why Paul wanted me to try driving on the motorway, as he might not be able to drive for a few weeks in the future, so I was convicted by the Lord about this fear, and I prayed. I asked for forgiveness for being afraid and not trusting in Him. As an act of my will, I chose to not be afraid of making any mistakes and feeling foolish. I chose to have a go and volunteer to do some driving on the way back, but this was something I wasn`t yet ready to tell my husband.

It was the very next day that we were climbing down the steep pathway from the cliffs, so, that night, I read Psalm 121 carefully in different translations of the bible, and discovered a specific encouragement in these words from the Common English Bible, ‘The LORD will protect you on your journeys— whether going or coming— from now until forever from now’.

With this word of encouragement, I told Paul of my decision, and on the way back I took the wheel and drove for about forty-five minutes on the motorway. Now I know I am capable of doing it, and this has been a turning point in my life.

Is there an area of your life where you would like to be free from the restriction of anxiety? Could it be that the Lord has a specific word for you, which you need to act upon?

Prayer: Dear heavenly Father, I thank You that You care about the details of my life and You want to help me. Jesus said He had come so I could have fullness of life. Please give me the courage to face up to new challenges, putting my trust in You and believing in Your promises for me personally. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.