I’m in the States right now supporting the developing work of Ellel USA. It’s springtime and the lush Floridian growth looks more like an English high summer.
On the decking outside the guest dining room stands the Ellel USA barbecue. From time to time this is heated up to a high temperature and is used to cook delicious burgers, chops, sausages and, on rare occasions, even steaks.
It’s not a safe place to be when the heat is turned up. But right now it’s not being used and a wren has taken advantage of this season to build its nest inside the barbecue and raise a family – it’s definitely spring time!
With the barbecue lid down there is only a small hole through which the birds can fly in and out, but with the lid up, as in the picture, you can see the whole nest, and the well-camouflaged mother bird protecting her already hatched babies. Apparently, this is the third year running that this particular bird has raised her young in exactly the same place!
As I looked at the wren caring for her young, I felt a deep sense of God’s presence and He was saying that from time to time His people may be asked to go into places that are potentially dangerous, like the inside of a barbecue. But that when He asks us to go, it is safe – and we need not be alarmed.
But we must learn to be specially sensitive to His voice and His timing, for if we go into a potentially dangerous place without the knowledge of His clear leading, then we may be endangering ourselves and, possibly, others. Those baby wrens feel no fear or concern – and neither should we, when we are in the place God has prepared for us.
It certainly feels as though the political temperature of the world is being turned up right now, and on so many different fronts – it’s definitely a time when we need to be listening carefully to His voice, walking in his ways and trusting Him.
Acts 17:26-28, which are my favorite verses, say that nothing happens by accident in the Kingdom of God. And as a student of the Jewish roots of the faith, I learned that the word coincidence is even absent in the Hebrew language. Thus, I believe it is not an accident that I read your blog tonight and was particularly hit by the following paragraph: “But we must learn to be specially sensitive to His voice and His timing, for if we go into a potentially dangerous place without the knowledge of His clear leading, then we may be endangering ourselves and, possibly, others.”
I was praying a while ago to show me if it is God’s will for me to go to Israel at this time, and for other reasons than to worship there. I go there two times a year, but only to worship. This time, the purpose is to help set up something political and cultural. I had said yes immediately to the request to help because the airline ticket is being provided for free. However, going to Israel now means I will have to leave behind my prayer and intercession ministry. It means I will have to put on hold some more, our plans of putting up a prayer house in my country.
Your words are so insightful. Thank you so much. Shalom and many blessings!
Yes, this came to me while reading your blog – the secret place of the Lord could be that dangerous place He has asked you to go:
KJV Psalm 91:1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. 3 Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. 4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. 5 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; 6 Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. 7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee. 8 Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked. 9 Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation; 10 There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. 11 For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. 12 They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone. 13 Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet. 14 Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. 15 He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. 16 With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.
Hi Peter,
I did try to leave a comment a while ago,but couldn’t work out how as I’m not used to blogs! It was after your blog about how Chris and Jan had been so involved with you and the role of Sovereign World books. I know Chris and Jan quite well, having been brought up in their home town and attending the same Baptist Church for some years, then joining them in a little fellowship that ran out of a local community hall. In fact, Chris used to take me and a friend to a youth group at the Baptist Church when I was a teenager – but that’s a long time ago now!! It just seems like such a small world sometimes doesn’t it?
Blessings,
Pippa
Yes, we are actually in the time while political situatuion is in the worse condition.
But because we are in the God’s protection, He will protect us from all
bad thing which the devil may arrange to snare us.
An important thing is to ask all the time God’s direction.
May God bless you Peter, as much as you are working to support Ellel Ministries wherever in the world.I am praying for you, and may be if wishes, we may meet face to face somewhere for His sake.
Thanks,
May God bless you, Amen.
In Christ Jesus,
Bernard Sungi.
How true it is for such a time as this in the Middle East. Living in Bahrain with the sectarian divide between Sunni and Shia, the expatriate believers live in peace in God’s ordained calender. Your message was refreshing and encourging to me. God Bless.
Hi I like this record and it was so informational and I am gonna bookmark it. One thing to say the Indepth determination this report has is greatly remarkable. No one goes that extra mile these days? Bravo!! Just one more tip you can get a Translator for your Worldwide Readers !!!