pathway

pathway
Give me my scallop-shell of quiet,
My staff of faith to walk upon,
My script of joy, immortal diet,
M
y bottle of salvation.
My gown of glory, hopes true gauge,
And thus I'll take my pilgrimage.

~Sir Walter Raleigh

A hiker, walking for pleasure, likes to choose between several alluring trails.
The pilgrim desires only the road that leads home.

~Frank W. Boreham


Sunday, August 7, 2011

The Picture and the Reality



Edinburgh Castle may not be everyones dream picture of a castle, but it is mine. I have been there. I have walked in through the guarded gate, I've walked freely through its open spaces, into the ancient sequestered chapel, looked over its secure walls to the city of the world below, seen the stores of provisions and the weaponry that provides protection.


That was the picture that filled my mind last evening when I read the Psalter in its old translation.


Psalm 31: "In Thee, O Lord, have I put my trust; let me never be put to confusion; deliver me in Thy righteousness.

...and be Thou my strong rock, the house of defence, that Thou mayest save me.

For Thou art my strong rock, my castle; be Thou also my guide, lead me for Thy Name's sake..for Thou art my strength."


What a blessed reminder that my Castle, like that of Edinburgh, rises out the of the strong rock on which it is founded. This, a picture of the protected fortress to which I can run in times of distress, where I can in safety look down on all that is threatening, the quiet 'chapel', in which I can pour out my heart and offer my praise- all this is mine and I have found "In Thee O, Lord".


In God alone is my store of provision, my battlement of protection, my righteousness and salvation. All this as I trust in His name.


Selah

5 comments:

  1. Leaving my "foot prints" and blessed to have stopped in to read this Sunday morning.

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  2. I will be in Edinburgh with my sons this coming week, visiting my dad. I'm really happy that I'll be able to look up at the castle and hold these thoughts in my mind. My mum died in the Edinburgh hospice last October, and so the last few years of Edinburgh visits have been times when I've really needed (and we have all recieved) God's strong protection.

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  3. Ha! I just posted on my blog about refuge! I am my mother's child!

    'In God alone'...refuge at its very best!

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  4. Oh dear Floss, wishing you and your lads a safe and blessed trip, as well as much strength and peace.

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