My dad was a hunter, so as a young child he would have his bow and arrows around the house. It was often during deer season you would see a deer hanging from one of our trees in the yard. It would always make for some fun bus conversations. For many of my own personal reasons, I never did pick up this love of hunting. I can say I still truly love being outdoors exploring and taking in the beautiful creation God has made for us. One of my only true bow and arrow experiences was in high school PE class when we had archery for a unit. I can still remember being sent to the office for some poor choices in aiming(my disclaimer is no people or animals were hurt in my choice).
Did you know that an arrow can travel up to 225 ft. per second? Or, that it can travel up to 300 yards? So why the arrow stories? Besides being one day away from Valentines (hint hint), today, we read Psalm 11 and it hits my heart with a message of trusting God in the face of arrows of pain. In addition, while reading 1 Samuel 10 you will read how God changed Saul’s heart in verse 10.
In the Lord I take refuge; how can you say to my soul, “ Flee like a bird to your mountain, 2 for behold, the wicked bend the bow; they have fitted their arrow to the string to shoot in the dark at the upright in heart; 3 if the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?”
What are the arrows that have been coming at you? Are they still there leaving you in pain? Has any hit today? These are arrows of; pain, abuse, gossip, cheating, addiction, lust, past sin, pornography, loss, selfishness, divorce, insecurity. The list can go on and on. I’m sorry. The arrows have come, they hit, and they will continue. They can also leaves scars that can be a daily reminder. God told us trials would come and test our endurance. He sees and knows about them all. Yet, the closer we grow to Him we realize the love God has for us and the internal battle is short compared to the eternal life we will have with Him.
2 Corinthians 4:16-18 says 16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
Still, Praise goes to God that no matter where these arrows come from, how fast they come, or how many come… in our Lord we can take refuge! We can put on His armor daily and withstand any onslaught. Ephesians 6:11-18 remember, 10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes…
4 The Lord is in his holy temple; the Lord’s throne is in heaven;
his eyes see, his eyelids test the children of man. 5 The Lord tests the righteous, but his soul hates the wicked and the one who loves violence. 6 Let him rain coals on the wicked; fire and sulfur and a scorching wind shall be the portion of their cup. 7 For the Lord is righteous; he loves righteous deeds; the upright shall behold his face.
Dear God, What a promise! What a love! Its hard, it hurts, especially when all or any of these arrows have hit and have stuck. Yet, you Lord are faithful, You heal, and provide us with comfort and hope as we face these trials. We are never alone! We love you and praise you. Amen