You're listening to Encounter, a daily podcast of sacred and mindful meditations to help

you encounter the divine presence of God throughout your day.

Have you ever heard the distant cry of a pack of wolves, howling under a bright full moon

shining in a clear night sky?

Well, if you're locked inside a mountain cabin curled up under a blanket, the howling can

be beautiful and mesmerizing, but if you're in a tent curled up in a sleeping bag, the howling

can be a little haunting. They howl to communicate to find each other and to tell other wolves

that this is their territory, so stay away. But do you ever feel like wolves are telling

you to stay away? Hungry wolves howling for a meal that's maybe in your direction? Well,

the theme of this meditation from Psalm chapter 59 is safety, protection in the strong arms

of God, care in His loving kindness, and safety as you rest in the territory of His fortress.

So to begin your meditation, slip into a time in a space where you can feel safe, consent

to surrender this time to God's spirit and sun, just deliberately focus and reflect on

the Word of God and the context of the love of God. Start by listening and responding

to this prayer from Ephesians chapter 3 and just respond softly, Heavenly Father, you are

my fortress. I want you to know all about Christ's love, although it's too wonderful

to be measured. Heavenly Father, you are my fortress. Then your lives will be filled with

all that God is. Heavenly Father, you are my fortress. I pray that Christ Jesus and the

church will forever bring praise to God. Heavenly Father, you are my fortress. This power

it work in us can do far more than we dare ask or imagine. Heavenly Father, you are my fortress

in Christ. Amen. So spend a few more moments now raising your heart and your mind towards God,

obediently pursue God's protection in prayer as the Holy Spirit prepares your heart now to

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