Gateposts and Fences
Struggling with receiving grace and forgiveness? We can pray for you.
“Lord, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places” (Psalm 16: 5-6).
This scripture is underlined in my Bible and next to it is written “Charleston ‘96”. Fifteen years ago I was living in the lovely southern town of Charleston SC—a transplanted Canadian from chilly Alberta. Charleston was truly a pleasant place of timeless splendor.
Boundary lines used to make me think of restrictions. Many people assume that giving God control of their lives will limit their freedom. It’s true that when we give our lives to God he does begin a changing work in us, and with the prompting of the Holy Spirit we begin to cut things from our lives that at one time we held on to.
When I read this scripture, back in 1996, I sat by golden marshes in the early morning. I was sure God’s boundary lines referred to physical space. Over the years, this scripture has come to mean so much more. Boundaries are God’s presence with me always, His proven faithfulness, security, His daily presence, and most of all His unfailing love. I’ve walked beyond His boundary lines and only found sorrow and confusion. In repentance I returned again to His loving care, and there I discovered such grace and forgiveness.
Letting go of sin: Exhale sin, inhale the Holy Spirit
Needing a timeout with God?: Take our Life Lesson
Now boundary lines in pleasant places are not about the splendor that surrounds me, or a lack thereof, but the assurance that the lot that he has assigned, is right for me. I can trust Him with all that I am and all that I desire to be because he knows what is best.
Father God, I thank you for the serenity of your boundary lines. I can see that even the everyday routine that you have allotted for me can be lived large—in the wide expanse of your goodness and faithfulness. You know what is best for me. Thank you that I can trust you with my life.
Question: Are you walking within God’s boundary lines? Do you see Gods boundary lines for your life as limiting or freeing?
About the author Beverley Rayner
Tags: assurance, Beverley Rayner, boundaries, Charleston SC, faithfulness, fences, gateposts, God, Holy Spirit, presence, Scripture, security, serenity, trust, unfailing love
9 Responses to “Gateposts and Fences”
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Beverly, thank you for bringing Psalm 16 to this devotional. I have read the Scripture before I’m sure but till now I hadn’t seen God’s beauty in it. Thank you.
I truly believe that I am now walking within God’s boundary lines. Like the Israelites, I took 48 years of going round and round and round. Then the Holy Spirit and I were formally introduced and it’s been a love affair ever since. I feel no restrictions whatsoever in this relationship with God but still require sweet discipline with each and every turn.
Pre Jesus Christ (in my life) I experienced many trials of sorrow, too many I thought for one person. I also experienced many wonderful experiences as well. With either I did not thank God.
Post Jesus Christ, I have given my life to Him and in these last 3 years (my Birth Day being Apr) I have willingly, wantingly cut out those ‘things’ that were destroying me, who I truly was. The Holy Spirit and I had become a ‘team’ in that I could no longer ignore the gentle prompting, the nudging, the guiding to His Word. Still I have choice, I did back then and I still do now. I choose to freedom because without God I was limiited. I am still in awe of His un-conditional love, still overwhelmed that I am loved this much, to this degree. I’ve a long, long journey ahead but I know I am not alone and so no matter what trial(s) are put in front of me, I have hope, I have faith, I have His grace and mercy.
Precious sister, Cindy, I would be honored to share this journey of faith with you, to partner with you and the Holy Spirit in accountability! We need sisters-in-Christ to encourage us in our walk with the Lord, to be in step with us, and to help us up when we stumble and fall. Please know that I understand your hurt and loneliness, dear one, and am truly heartbroken for your circumstances. While it is my privilege to share your burden, and walk this path with you, I am commited to God’s Word and His truth regarding our choices and His faithfulness in His provision. Truth, however difficult to live, is where we find freedom, and joy, and peace. My email is mniemczak@sbcglobal.net. I am looking forward to hearing from you, Cindy! :) And, may God bless us both as we seek to honor Him with our lives!
Marilyn, thank you for sharing. How did you eventually get past this?? I work with this man daily. I have prayed for the Lord to move him or me, but so far, no go. I am a single mom, I need my job. I have put resumes out there, but nothing. Marilyn all I can say, I believe the Lord is setting me free. Ironically my husband of 28 years had at least (3 confessed physical affairs). You could only imagine the heartache and pain I suffered. I was truly in love with my husband, but after the 3rd affair, I KNOW the Lord was saying enough. I was putting my body in great danger, as well as my emotional/mental well-being, and the biggest were my 3 children. I divorced him 7 years ago, had to go into the workplace full-time, and within a year met this man. I was not looking for this at all. If someone would of told me even 6 months earlier I would fall for a married man, I would of said there is absolutely NO WAY. When I met him, he was and is still in a very lonely marriage. He is a good man, and never looking to cheat on his wife, but through the years we develop a HUGE emotional attachment. By the time my eyes were opened to that reality I was hooked by the enemy. I would justify it at times in my head saying this is NBD cause we are not seeing each other outside of work, having lunches…………etc, but I would be thinking about him almost 24-7, and not sexual thoughts, mainly would it be awesome to be with a man who is so caring, a great communicator, ………………. Anyways, thank you for communicating with me and sharing. I would love to communicate with you further via email if you would be willing. God is truly working on my heart and I have asked Him to give me someone who would daily hold me accountable.
Not sure if it would be okay for me to give you my email. Is it???
God Bless, Cindy
Thank you for sharing your story, Cindy, and your testimony to God’s grace! It is one I know well! Many years ago, I, too, found myself enjoying the company of a male colleague at work, who was going through a divorce. And, as you, the Lord opened my eyes to what Satan had prepared for me, and God provided the escape that He has promised in Scripture! I am thankful that the Lord won that battle with the flesh (it never went beyond an emotional affair), but it opened my eyes to how vulnerable we are to Satan’s ploys when our hearts are hungry! As you, I have invited the Holy Spirit to be my lover, my husband, in the midst of a marriage to an unbelieving, unloving spouse. The Lord has not forsaken me, and He pursues me with abandon, which delights my spirit! Praise God for His faithfulness to us!
we have boundries from God because He knows what is best for us
Hi Beverly, I have just been reading this morning about the physical boundaries the Lord laid down for Israel in Numbers when his people were about to enter the “Promised Land”. He has already laid down their life boundaries, now they were to step into the fullness of all he had promised them. What a wonderful Lord we have who lays down boundaries for our protection but also to bless us mightily when we move into what he has prepared for us. Thank you for your devotion today.
This morning during my prayer time the Holy Spirit gave me Psalm 16. Wasn’t sure exactly why, but now your word brings more clarity. I crossed boundary lines during the past 5 years with a married man, never physically, but most definitely emotionally. Initially I was blindsided and did not see it for what it was, till I was entangled, (you know the sin that so easily entangles us). The Holy Spirit kept giving me warnings after I realized, WOW I have fallen for a married man. Never, ever, ever would I have thought after walking with Christ for almost 30 years, I could fall HERE. Then I am reminded of King David; a man after God’s own heart. Truly by His amazing grace and love, HE is setting me free, at a huge price. I thank HIM I did not cross over into the physical. The emotional is difficult enough. YES, keep those hedge high and boundaries set. RUN, like Joseph, and be on your guard, the enemy is like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. I had just come out of a almost 30 years marriage, with a husband that committed adultery, (at least 3 times) and I was so vulnerable and lonely, and we have a very cunning adversary. He is patient and knows how to put the bait at the bottom of a milkshake. I am being pursued and wooed afresh by the true lover of my soul, the perfect Gentleman, my husband and Savior Jesus Christ and I am so grateful that HE will never leave me or forsake. KEEP YOUR BOUNDARIES HIGH AND YOUR HEART OPEN TO LISTEN TO THAT STILL, SMALL VOICE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT and RUN just like Joseph from all “even trace of evil”!!! Once you’re hooked it truly takes blood, sweat and tears to get unhooked, but HE can do it if you let HIM!!!
i also thank you for this devo. In my early years, even as a Christian, i held so tightly to the world of going out,drinking, dancing, getting into all kinds of crazy relationships all of which eventually came crashing down on me. Praise be to Jesus Christ who when i came in repentence, bound up my wounds and set me back on His track. He is a faithful God who’s boundries have caused me pain bec i had to succumb to them in even baby steps. i now live a peacful, restored close relationship with my Lord and Savior. Relationships have been esp hard for me as i always wanted those who weren’t really suited for me. i now wait upon HIS guidence to match me with the one He knows is best and it will bring us both Joy, Peace and lots of true agape Love. Yes, having boundries is a Good thing! Blessings~
I know that personally I can get frustrated with rules and regulations that the world puts on me, but over the years I have had to learn that God’s boundaries are like a shield to me and that He knows best. It is a safe place for me as I journey this life.
thanks for sharing this reminder.
Linda McC