Saturday, December 15, 2018

Advent Series ~ Day 16 ~ REFUGE

God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
Psalm 46:1


25 Days of God Given Gifts


Websters 1828 Dictionary defines REFUGE: 
That which shelters or protects from danger, distress or calamity; a strong hold which protects by its strength, or a sanctuary which secures safety by its sacredness; any place inaccessible to an enemy.


Missionary Amy Carmichael tells of a beautiful illustration of God's love and care through a little bird. Taken from the pages of Secure in the Everlasting Arms as told by author Elisabeth Elliot.

The sun bird, one of the tiniest of birds, a native of India, builds a pendant nest, hanging by four frail threads, generally from a spray of valaris. It is a delicate work of art, with its roof and tiny porch, which a splash of water or a child’s touch might destroy. She tells how she saw a little sun bird building such a nest just before the monsoon season, and felt that for once bird wisdom had failed – for how could such a delicate structure, in such an exposed situation, weather the winds and torrential rains?

The monsoon broke and from her window she watched the nest swaying with the branches in the wind. Then she perceived that the nest had been so placed that the leaves immediately above it formed little gutters which carried the water away from the nest. There sat the sun bird, with it’s tiny head resting on her little porch, and whenever a drop of water fell on her long, curved beak, she sucked it in as if it were nectar. The storms raged furiously, but the sun bird sat, quiet and unafraid, hatching her tiny eggs.



I find this story about the sun bird fascinating. You've probably figured out I have a little bird thing going on here at Little Birdie Blessings.

God's provisions for the birds never ceases to amaze me. If He cares so much for them, how much more will He provide for us?


Some wise words below by Elisabeth Elliot.

Where does your security lie? Is God your refuge,
your hiding place, your stronghold, your shepherd,
your counselor, your friend, your redeemer,
your savior, your guide?
If He is, you don’t need to search
any further for security.

~ Elisabeth Elliot ~


PREVIOUS ADVENT DEVOTION LINKS HERE



Two FREE printables that go with this series. You can find download links here:



These images are free for personal use, ministry use, or for gifting. Not to be sold. If you share the images on your blog, a link back would be appreciated. Please do not copy my entire posts to your blog. Thank you. 

I will be posting this until Christmas here on my blog. You can follow this series your favorite way. 
Links are below:

3 comments:

  1. Wonderful story of the wee bird and this graphic sings...surely it is one of my favorites.

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  2. How precious rhank you Betsy.
    How God loves us!
    We myst strive to walk daily in the comfort and light of His word and none else.
    So easy to be thinking world self thoughts without the anchor of the Word of God.
    God bless your Christmas time as we rejoice in the greatest Gift of all, Whom we know and trust in by faith.
    Shaz in Oz.x

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  3. Thanks so much for sharing. Have a cozy day!

    ReplyDelete

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