Early one morning, I went around the corner of the house and walked straight through a large spider web. “Ah, man!” I forgot about my eight-legged friend who sets up shop here every evening–between the rain barrel and rose bush.
As I cleared the cobwebs from my face and hair, I felt her crawl down my neck and onto my shoulder. Sure, it was kinda creepy, but she meant me no harm. In just a few seconds she was gone.
Being a spider lover, I know exactly what she did. After laying down a line of silk on my sleeve, she repelled to the ground faster than a US Army Ranger! Charlotte, she’s a barn spider–like the one in Charlotte’s Web, had an excellent escape plan.
What about you and me? Can we throw out a life line to the Lord? He is certainly able to rescue us. “The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves.” – Zepheniah 3:17a (NIV) But do we have an evacuation plan, in case of danger, to crawl quickly to the ledge and leap into the safety of His arms?
If you faint when under pressure, you have need of courage.
Proverbs 24:10 (TPT)
In other words, hardiness and determination develop by being faithful under pressure. Like the legendary John Wayne said, “Courage is being scared to death but saddling up anyway. “
Other types of arachnids, like jumping spiders, also lay down a silk safety line–before leaping after their pray. This way, they don’t fall (36 inches😀 to their death) if they miss!
Here are a few favorite scriptures I turn too when in need of braveness:
“Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all you who hope in the Lord.”– Psalm 31:24 (NKJV)
“So let us boldly approach God’s throne of grace. Then we will receive mercy. We will find grace to help us when we need it.” — Hebrews 4:16 (NIRV)
“Do not be afraid–I am with you! I am your God–let nothing terrify you! I will make you strong and help you; I will protect you and save you.”– Isaiah 41:10 (GNT)
Please share one of yours if you’d like!
For a story about another (equally freakish) encounter with a spider, please read, https://davidsdailydose.org/2021/03/31/the-spider-on-the-rim/
Davids Daily Dose 
Comments
24 responses to “Throw Out the Life Line”
Also, I understood your reference from the book. Yes, I have read Charlotte’s Web!
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Thank you for the story, about Rufus, your Tarantula. My older brother used to catch tarantulas on the road and bring them home. But he always released them later that same day. Thank you for the excellent scripture reference, brother! I love the Selah at the end. I always interpret that as a sign to pause and mediate on what I’ve just read. Blessings!
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I love this post David, I find spiders fascinating. I used to own a Chilean Rose Tarantula named Rufus when I was a lad. We have just reached the time of year when you can see webs and lines in the morning dew. How much we need Heavenly safety lines every day David, one of my favourites is this:
But You, O Lord, are a shield about me,
My glory, and the One who lifts my head.
I was crying to the Lord with my voice,
And He answered me from His holy mountain. Selah.
— Psalm 3:3-4
God bless you brother.
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Very good idea, since they kinda match!
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Inspired by your memory of my earlier post, I edited this one to include a link. Thanks!
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You’re most welcome! I needed what you had to say on your blog today as well. Blessings!
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Thanks. I needed this today David!
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I’m happy for you two. My admiration is through glass, a photo, or an encyclopedia no face-to-face meetings. My hospitality vanishes if I find them in my house.
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Thank you for sharing two of your favorite verses, Manette. I have an older brother who was fascinated with spiders, so he taught me to love them too.
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I admire spiders (from a vast distance) and the interesting facts because God created them, but I really don’t like spiders or snakes.
Two lifeline verses I use, when anxious or fearful, are 2 Timothy 1:7 “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but one of power, love, and sound judgment.” and Philippians 4:6-7 “Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”
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I rarely kill them either. I try to put them on something and shake them off outside. Now I’ve got the willies!
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You have a great memory! Yes, I had a spider crawl out my cereal and onto the rim of the bowl. It was way freaky—compared to walking through Charlotte’s web!
I do love my spider friends. Unless they’re poisonous, I rarely kill them. Thanks for sharing!
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Did you not also have a spider in your cereal bowl that you posted about? Tenacious is right! They sure do like you brother!
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Good point, Beth. Spiders are tenacious! May we be that way with the things of God. 🙏❤️ Thank you for reading and commenting!
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Charlotte must be out in her web writing “Inspiring” in response to your post today. One of the things I admire about spiders is that they are not easily discouraged. Anytime their web is knocked down they simply rebuild.
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It’s unique, I know. But I DO hate snakes!
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Understood, Betty. I love spiders but hate snakes! Thanks for stopping by! I hope you and Dan have a blessed day.
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You are the first person I have heard that loves spiders lol
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Fascinating information, David. Thanks! 🤗🌷🌼
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Beautiful words, David! The spider, not so much.
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I’m glad you had your own Charlotte to entertain you during your husband’s recovery. Most spiders are good climbers, but your little friend could have also arrived at the 5th floor window via ballooning. Many species of orb weavers let out a stream of silk (shortly after hatching) and float away to their new hunting grounds. Once safe in the window frame, all Charlotte needed was a supply of flying insects—who were likely drawn by the lights on the building. Sometime before it got too cold she made her own egg sac and started the process over again. Sadly, our Charlottes don’t survive the first hard freeze. Thank you for commenting, and reading all my information.
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Thanks so much David !
When my husband was in hospital after heart surgery, he was on the fifth floor. Outside his window, there was spider . How she managed to get up so high was a mystery.
We also named her Charlotte, and she kept us entertained while he recovered. 🌷🤗🌼
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Thank you for sharing a couple of your favorite scriptures, Bridget. Blessings!
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Yikes! I am not a spider fan. But I am glad you don’t mind them, especially considering the situation you found yourself in. There are so many awesome Bible verses that we can turn to when we need a little courage or a lifeline. I like the ones you shared. I also like Exodus 14:14, “The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.” And 2 Timothy 1:7, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” Just to name a couple. I am so thankful our loving Father has given us a whole book filled with comforting verses to hang onto!
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