1 00:00:02,720 --> 00:00:13,480 Speaker 1: Life Audio. Hello, thank you for listening to your Daily 2 00:00:13,520 --> 00:00:17,040 Speaker 1: Bible Verse, the podcast that examines one verse each day 3 00:00:17,440 --> 00:00:20,160 Speaker 1: to learn more about God and his will for us. 4 00:00:20,680 --> 00:00:23,520 Speaker 1: I'm your host, Jennifer Slattery, and after this short word 5 00:00:23,560 --> 00:00:27,000 Speaker 1: from our sponsors, we'll dive into today's Bible verse, Proverbs 6 00:00:27,080 --> 00:00:42,960 Speaker 1: eighteen ten. Today's Bible verse is Proverbs eighteen ten. The 7 00:00:43,080 --> 00:00:46,199 Speaker 1: Name of the Lord is a fortified tower. The righteous 8 00:00:46,280 --> 00:00:50,040 Speaker 1: run to it and are safe. As someone with a 9 00:00:50,400 --> 00:00:54,200 Speaker 1: long history of anxiety, I'm learning creative ways to use 10 00:00:54,320 --> 00:00:57,880 Speaker 1: the power of scripture to train my brain and soul 11 00:00:58,160 --> 00:01:02,200 Speaker 1: toward peace. During a particularly difficult season that frequently left 12 00:01:02,200 --> 00:01:05,160 Speaker 1: me feeling amped up, I sent the Lord, inviting me 13 00:01:05,240 --> 00:01:09,360 Speaker 1: to use visualization to deepen my awareness of Him and 14 00:01:09,480 --> 00:01:14,360 Speaker 1: his protective love. Desperate for relief, I gave it a go. 15 00:01:14,840 --> 00:01:17,880 Speaker 1: I found a quiet space outside, turned toward the sun, 16 00:01:18,520 --> 00:01:22,080 Speaker 1: reflected on a verse that referenced God is my Shield, 17 00:01:22,640 --> 00:01:28,200 Speaker 1: and imagined his presence like a shield around me. Almost immediately, 18 00:01:28,400 --> 00:01:31,960 Speaker 1: a deep sense of peace filled my soul, followed by 19 00:01:32,000 --> 00:01:35,959 Speaker 1: an undercurrent of joy that evoked a smile. I found 20 00:01:35,959 --> 00:01:42,200 Speaker 1: something more profound than circumstantial relief. I experienced a supernatural 21 00:01:42,280 --> 00:01:46,640 Speaker 1: and always available strong power Christ, in whom I could 22 00:01:46,760 --> 00:01:50,240 Speaker 1: hide for as long as I needed. God doesn't leave 23 00:01:50,360 --> 00:01:54,120 Speaker 1: us to face our fears unguarded. This is a vivid 24 00:01:54,120 --> 00:01:57,320 Speaker 1: picture we see throughout scripture and a symbolic representation of 25 00:01:57,320 --> 00:02:01,680 Speaker 1: God's faithful, protective care that is comforted countless people throughout history, 26 00:02:02,040 --> 00:02:06,240 Speaker 1: and understandably so, the verbiage helps to make a powerful 27 00:02:06,320 --> 00:02:11,360 Speaker 1: yet abstract truth tangible and therefore accessible when we feel 28 00:02:11,400 --> 00:02:15,600 Speaker 1: anxious and afraid. It helps us recognize and rest in 29 00:02:15,840 --> 00:02:22,320 Speaker 1: God's presence, our impenetrable shelter, able to withstand life's versus storms. 30 00:02:22,919 --> 00:02:25,960 Speaker 1: We don't often think about strong towers much today, but 31 00:02:26,080 --> 00:02:29,480 Speaker 1: this language would have felt highly familiar and comforting for 32 00:02:29,560 --> 00:02:32,840 Speaker 1: those living in Bible times, where people experience constant threat 33 00:02:33,200 --> 00:02:37,240 Speaker 1: from invading armies. To remain safe, they built massive walls, 34 00:02:37,240 --> 00:02:41,040 Speaker 1: some up to thirty meters long and six meters wide 35 00:02:41,520 --> 00:02:45,280 Speaker 1: around their cities. This barrier served as their first line 36 00:02:45,320 --> 00:02:49,680 Speaker 1: of defense against attackers. Should their enemies make it pass 37 00:02:49,880 --> 00:02:55,040 Speaker 1: this massive barricade. The people found additional protection inside secure 38 00:02:55,080 --> 00:02:59,160 Speaker 1: limestone towers that stood up to fifty feet tall and 39 00:02:59,320 --> 00:03:04,480 Speaker 1: twenty feet thick. Proverbs eighteen ten invites us to run 40 00:03:04,520 --> 00:03:07,040 Speaker 1: to God when we feel threatened and afraid, to find 41 00:03:07,080 --> 00:03:11,000 Speaker 1: refuge in Him and to rest in his protective embrace. 42 00:03:11,919 --> 00:03:16,760 Speaker 1: Notice also, the verse connects God's name with his impenetrable sanctuary. 43 00:03:17,200 --> 00:03:21,240 Speaker 1: In Bible times, someone's name represented their character. Therefore, today's 44 00:03:21,320 --> 00:03:26,040 Speaker 1: verse is saying God's unchanging nature, his power, purposes, promises, 45 00:03:26,040 --> 00:03:29,720 Speaker 1: and heart is our safe place. As Carol and I 46 00:03:29,800 --> 00:03:33,600 Speaker 1: discussed in a recent Faith overfe podcast episode on using 47 00:03:33,600 --> 00:03:37,120 Speaker 1: scripture to re center our souls when we're anxious or afraid. 48 00:03:37,600 --> 00:03:41,080 Speaker 1: The more we understand who God is in all his vastness, 49 00:03:41,440 --> 00:03:44,680 Speaker 1: the greater our peace because we recognize that nothing in 50 00:03:44,760 --> 00:03:49,480 Speaker 1: all of creation can penetrate beyond his protective shield. He 51 00:03:49,600 --> 00:03:52,960 Speaker 1: is the God who moves mountains, parts, sees re routs armies, 52 00:03:53,320 --> 00:03:56,600 Speaker 1: and holds the power to raise the dead. If you 53 00:03:56,640 --> 00:03:59,400 Speaker 1: would like additional support, I encourage you to catch that 54 00:03:59,520 --> 00:04:03,360 Speaker 1: faith over your episode titled Calming Anxiety and Fear with 55 00:04:03,440 --> 00:04:07,240 Speaker 1: Biblical Truth. I'll link to that content in the show notes. 56 00:04:07,920 --> 00:04:12,640 Speaker 1: For now, hold tight to this truth. In Christ, you 57 00:04:12,800 --> 00:04:17,159 Speaker 1: are always held secure. He also promised to faithfully guide 58 00:04:17,200 --> 00:04:20,520 Speaker 1: his children, which provides another layer of safety when facing 59 00:04:20,600 --> 00:04:23,839 Speaker 1: problems we fear might otherwise do us in. When we 60 00:04:24,040 --> 00:04:27,840 Speaker 1: quote unquote hide within His will. By aligning our heart 61 00:04:27,880 --> 00:04:31,400 Speaker 1: with His ways and plans, we in essence add another 62 00:04:31,480 --> 00:04:35,360 Speaker 1: layer of stone to the supernatural tower He constructs around us. 63 00:04:35,760 --> 00:04:40,239 Speaker 1: Towers also provided strategic advantage in allowing archers a high 64 00:04:40,400 --> 00:04:43,560 Speaker 1: vantage point from which to survey the surrounding land for 65 00:04:43,640 --> 00:04:47,760 Speaker 1: signs of an approaching enemy. From their lofty perspective, not 66 00:04:47,880 --> 00:04:51,880 Speaker 1: only did the enemy appear almost comically small, but it 67 00:04:51,920 --> 00:04:55,560 Speaker 1: also allowed archers to see invading soldiers while they were 68 00:04:55,560 --> 00:04:58,800 Speaker 1: still a long way off, and to shoot them as 69 00:04:58,839 --> 00:05:03,239 Speaker 1: they drew closer. God provides that for us as well, 70 00:05:03,640 --> 00:05:07,039 Speaker 1: the vantage point that is Scripture tells us we have 71 00:05:07,120 --> 00:05:10,599 Speaker 1: the mind of Christ and the Holy Spirit within us, 72 00:05:10,720 --> 00:05:15,200 Speaker 1: allowing us to detect and recognize the enemy's schemes before 73 00:05:15,400 --> 00:05:18,680 Speaker 1: he flings his fiery arrows or tries to break through 74 00:05:18,720 --> 00:05:23,120 Speaker 1: our defenses. And I say tries intentionally, as again, the 75 00:05:23,240 --> 00:05:30,200 Speaker 1: Lord is our impenetrable, inconquerable and immovable refuge. Nothing gets 76 00:05:30,240 --> 00:05:34,960 Speaker 1: through without Christ's permission. This, then, is the reminder Scripture 77 00:05:35,040 --> 00:05:38,719 Speaker 1: conveys in verses like today's God, our father and Savior 78 00:05:38,880 --> 00:05:44,600 Speaker 1: possesses infinite power, wisdom, provision, strength, everything our souls need 79 00:05:44,680 --> 00:05:48,960 Speaker 1: to thrive even in the most challenging circumstances. Because of him, 80 00:05:48,960 --> 00:05:53,240 Speaker 1: we are never helpless, defenseless, or overpowered, regardless of the 81 00:05:53,279 --> 00:05:56,440 Speaker 1: size or strength of the battering rams coming against us. 82 00:05:57,040 --> 00:06:00,760 Speaker 1: If you are going through an anxious or challenge season, 83 00:06:01,440 --> 00:06:06,120 Speaker 1: maybe try visualizing yourself hidden deep within the tender yet 84 00:06:06,160 --> 00:06:10,400 Speaker 1: strong embrace of your Father and ask him to help 85 00:06:10,480 --> 00:06:17,000 Speaker 1: you rest in his mighty arms. Let's pray, Holy Father, 86 00:06:17,160 --> 00:06:21,159 Speaker 1: you are our safe tower. You are the place we 87 00:06:21,200 --> 00:06:26,520 Speaker 1: can always turn to when we feel overwhelmed, afraid, anxious, 88 00:06:26,560 --> 00:06:29,800 Speaker 1: when we're hurting, when we just want to rest. We 89 00:06:29,960 --> 00:06:32,280 Speaker 1: thank you for your presence. We thank you for your 90 00:06:32,360 --> 00:06:38,960 Speaker 1: invitation to always turn to you. Remind us of your presence, 91 00:06:39,200 --> 00:06:42,680 Speaker 1: of your care, of your strength and your power when 92 00:06:42,720 --> 00:06:47,320 Speaker 1: we're hurting or afraid. Remind us to pause to connect 93 00:06:47,320 --> 00:06:51,839 Speaker 1: with you, to remember that we belong to you, are 94 00:06:51,960 --> 00:06:57,600 Speaker 1: held by you, are supported and carried by you, and 95 00:06:57,640 --> 00:07:00,120 Speaker 1: we praise you for that. We are never alone, we 96 00:07:00,160 --> 00:07:04,200 Speaker 1: are never abandoned, never forsaken. We have everything we need 97 00:07:04,680 --> 00:07:08,080 Speaker 1: because of your grace and your mercy. You go before 98 00:07:08,200 --> 00:07:11,600 Speaker 1: us to prepare the way, and you are leading us 99 00:07:11,760 --> 00:07:16,840 Speaker 1: day by day towards your best. You see every challenge 100 00:07:16,880 --> 00:07:20,200 Speaker 1: we face, and you already have the solution for every 101 00:07:20,280 --> 00:07:25,400 Speaker 1: problem we can encounter, and so remind us of those truths. 102 00:07:25,520 --> 00:07:29,880 Speaker 1: Help us to yield to you. Increase our ability to 103 00:07:30,040 --> 00:07:34,480 Speaker 1: hear you, Remove everything within us that hinders our connection 104 00:07:34,960 --> 00:07:38,120 Speaker 1: with you, and help us to trust whether we feel 105 00:07:38,240 --> 00:07:41,280 Speaker 1: your presence or not, whether we hear your voice or not. 106 00:07:41,680 --> 00:07:45,480 Speaker 1: Help us to trust that you are there. You are guiding, 107 00:07:45,760 --> 00:07:48,080 Speaker 1: and you can guide us whether we hear you or not, 108 00:07:48,200 --> 00:07:52,560 Speaker 1: because you are good and faithful, loving and kind. All 109 00:07:52,600 --> 00:07:55,000 Speaker 1: you ask from us is that we turn to you, 110 00:07:55,080 --> 00:07:56,760 Speaker 1: that we rest in you, and that we follow you 111 00:07:56,800 --> 00:07:58,840 Speaker 1: as best as we're able, and you take care of 112 00:07:58,840 --> 00:08:01,560 Speaker 1: everything else. And we are so grateful for that. And Lord, 113 00:08:01,640 --> 00:08:05,880 Speaker 1: so right now we pause and we lift up to 114 00:08:06,040 --> 00:08:09,280 Speaker 1: you that thing that is weighing heavy on our hearts, 115 00:08:09,880 --> 00:08:14,840 Speaker 1: that challenge. We don't quite know how to overcome that problem, 116 00:08:14,880 --> 00:08:19,720 Speaker 1: We don't quite know how to solve that relational issue 117 00:08:20,080 --> 00:08:23,000 Speaker 1: that seems so confusing. Whatever it is, Lord, we give 118 00:08:23,040 --> 00:08:26,080 Speaker 1: it to you, and we know that you are working 119 00:08:26,560 --> 00:08:26,920 Speaker 1: in it. 120 00:08:27,120 --> 00:08:29,320 Speaker 2: You are working in us. You are working in the 121 00:08:29,400 --> 00:08:33,120 Speaker 2: situation for your glory and our good. And so right 122 00:08:33,160 --> 00:08:38,920 Speaker 2: now we pause just to notice and receive strength from 123 00:08:38,960 --> 00:08:51,800 Speaker 2: your presence. We love you, let me praise you. And 124 00:08:51,920 --> 00:08:55,400 Speaker 2: it's in the name of your son, our Savior, Jesus Christ, 125 00:08:55,400 --> 00:08:56,960 Speaker 2: that we pray. Amen. 126 00:09:02,080 --> 00:09:04,640 Speaker 1: Looking for a peaceful way to end your day, our 127 00:09:04,679 --> 00:09:08,079 Speaker 1: new sister Show. Your Nightly Scripture guides you each night 128 00:09:08,160 --> 00:09:11,360 Speaker 1: through a passage of scripture along with a calming devotional 129 00:09:11,440 --> 00:09:12,400 Speaker 1: and evening prayer. 130 00:09:12,720 --> 00:09:15,439 Speaker 2: It's the perfect way to end your day and help 131 00:09:15,600 --> 00:09:16,840 Speaker 2: you sleep in peace. 132 00:09:17,200 --> 00:09:20,959 Speaker 1: Your Nightly Scripture is now available on Apple, Spotify, or 133 00:09:21,000 --> 00:09:22,839 Speaker 1: wherever you listen to podcasts.