Shoot Up Here Amongst Us
The late country comedian Jerry Clower’s most famous story was his coon huntin’ story told about the time he and his Mississippi friends made an evening of hunting that evolved into an entanglement with a lynx up a tree. There was a whole lot of humor expounded by the comedian in the story before they reached the point where “great American” John Eubanks climbed the tree to get whatever was in the tree out that had been run up there by the hounds. Those on the ground hollered, “Knock’em out, John,” up to John as he took a sharp stick to poke what he thought was a raccoon. However, to John’s surprise, the raccoon turned out to be a lynx, better known as a souped-up bobcat in Mississippi, which immediately took on John in somewhat of a man versus beast fight. To those standing on the ground, they couldn’t figure out what was going on up in the tree and just kept calling up for John to “knock’em out.” Finally, John screams back for someone to shoot up in the tree amongst him and the lynx. Of course, those on the ground didn’t want to do that for fear they would accidentally hit John. But John hollers back, “Shoot up here amongst us because one of us needs some relief!”
Sometimes life hits us full force with unwanted blows that knock us back and we feel like we are fighting for our very survival. I have been experiencing that lately and I don't like it. Even the "God must be preparing you for something great in your future" cannot lessen the hurt you feel. What do you do? Actually, we cannot "do" anything but rely on God and wait.... it is in the middle where it gets tough for each of us as we wait it out. If there are other humans that are part of this attack then Psalm 25 says a lot. Psalm 25:1 To You, Lord, I lift up my soul. 2 My God, in You I trust, Do not let me be ashamed; Do not let my enemies rejoice over me. 3 Indeed, none of those who wait for You will be ashamed; Those who deal treacherously without cause will be ashamed. I cannot control the evil other people do so I pray for God to fight the battle for me and just trust Him.
Where do we go after we trust God to have our back? Psalm 25 doesn't end after verse 3 but continues with a beautiful prayer that I also rely on for strength and direction. The following verses are rich and I can see how King David handled his enemies and got through the middle. Psalm 25:4 Make me know Your ways, Lord; Teach me Your paths.
5 Lead me in Your truth and teach me, For You are the God of my salvation; For You, I wait all the day. 6 Remember, Lord, Your compassion and Your faithfulness, For they have been from of old. 7 Do not remember the sins of my youth or my wrongdoings; Remember me according to Your faithfulness, For Your goodness sake, Lord.
Wow! Show me your ways O Lord and give me Your direction and Your protection. Psalm 91 is today's quoted scripture along with Psalm 25 and it goes like this: Psalm 91:1 One who dwells in the shelter of the Most High Will lodge in the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, My God, in whom I trust!” 3 For it is He who rescues you from the net of the trapper And from the deadly plague. 4 He will cover you with His pinions, And under His wings you may take refuge; His faithfulness is a shield and wall.
There is a much bigger fight going on here lord, so Shoot Up Here Amongst Us because one of us needs relief and that one person is me!!
The Pilgrimage Continues
David Warren