Great Plains Daily Devotional for 6/13/2021

2 Samuel 22:33-34

The God who has girded me with strength
    has opened wide my path.
He made my feet like the feet of deer,
    and set me secure on the heights.

I recently returned from a brief trip to Santa Fe, New Mexico. It is one of my favorite places and I really enjoy any opportunity to visit – once I have acclimated to the 7100-foot altitude. As I approach Santa Fe it does not seem that the elevation has increased that much – until I realize (on arrival) that I am not breathing the same as I was when I got out of the car back in Oklahoma. It takes a day or so for me to adjust to the “rare air” of the higher altitude. It is that “rare air” that makes the light so pure that it draws many artists to the area, though, and most people adjust to the altitude within a day or two and have no trouble walking around – or even running. I don’t do any running, mind you, but there is a rush of freedom that I feel when I am there, surrounded by the magnificent light and air of the mountains.
 
The quoted scripture is from a song of David after he had been rescued from his enemies by the Lord. In David’s song he praises God for giving him all that he needs to escape from Saul or any other enemy he might face. David drew strength from God that allowed him to know a real sense of freedom – even when escaping from his enemies – that allowed him to stand strong and firm on the mountains and to run with ease when needed.
 
I am reminded that God sets me free and gives me strength to overcome the fears and difficult times in my life. God helps me to stand on the mountains – real or those in my mind – and draw deep breaths of rare air that open my heart and my mind to possibilities I may not have considered. Like David, I praise God for setting me free in those times – even as I praise God for the joy of visiting favorite places.  
 

Prayer for Reflection

1 Samuel 15:34-16:13
 Psalm 20 or Psalm 72
 2 Corinthians 5:6-10 (11-13), 14-17
 Mark 4:26-34