I remember a story I heard about a man who had been a prisoner of war. He said one of the torturous things about that experience was the sheer boredom. He was trapped in a small cage with nothing to distract him from his fear and pain. All he had was whatever he could dredge up from his own memories and imagination. He said he would have lost his mind except for some hymns that he had buried in his memories. He would sing them over and over, making up new verses of his own.
After hearing that story, I decided I should make sure I knew and memorized all the words to my favorite hymns. I didn’t think I was in any danger of becoming a prisoner of war, but it doesn’t hurt to be prepared.
Today’s verse makes me think of that story because it contains the lyrics for one of the songs I have buried in my memories. We used to sing it in Sunday School when I was a child. So many of the songs I know are made up of Bible verses. I run across them all the time.
Today’s verse is an especially comforting one. It’s definitely one that might help me maintain a proper perspective and stay sane if I were imprisoned. I hope I never ever will be, but no matter what trouble I run into, God will always be my very present help, my refuge and my strength.
Dear God,
Thank you for the people in my past who taught me the Bible through song so that it stuck with me all these years. Thank you for the promise of your presence and your help. Thank you for being a refuge for me and giving me the strength to do what you ask me to do. Help me not to despair in times of trouble but to seek your face instead.
CamDevo 