This is Umbrella Day.

Here’s a riddle: What can go up the chimney down but not down the chimney up? The answer—an umbrella. Think about it. If the umbrella is down, you could move it up and down the chimney. If the umbrella is up or open, however, you couldn’t bring it down the chimney from outside because it would be too big. Use that riddle to stump your family and friends.

Actually, the umbrella is a great invention. We can carry it around and then open it when we need to, usually in a rain shower. Or we can open one up on the deck, at the pool, or on the beach to keep us in the shade. Umbrellas protect us from rain and sun.

But umbrellas don’t provide much protection against hurricanes, rockslides, rattlesnakes, volcanic eruptions, meteorites, or stampeding cattle. Umbrellas can be helpful, but sometimes we need more help than they offer.

King David the psalmist wrote songs about God’s protection. At many times in his life God had protected David. When David was a shepherd boy, God protected him from a lion and a bear that attacked his sheep. When David faced the giant Goliath, he was confident of God’s protection and he killed the giant with only a sling and stones. As commander of Israel’s army David experienced God’s protection in battle and from his enemies. But David’s protection didn’t come from umbrellas, shelters, weapons, or even armies—it came from God. Today’s verse is a good example. David trusted in God to shield him, strengthen him, and save him—in every situation. Did he use weapons in battle? Sure. Did he seek shelter in a storm? Of course. But he knew that ultimately his protection, especially from evil, had to come from the Lord.

No matter what you face, remember that God is your ultimate protector. Trust him, talk to him, and turn over your concerns to him.

My God is my rock, in whom I find protection.

He is my shield, the strength of my salvation, and my stronghold,

My high tower, my savior, the one who saves me from violence (2 Samuel 22:3).

To Do

Tell someone the chimney riddle. And whenever you see an umbrella whisper a prayer of thanks to God for his protection.

Also on this day . . .

1763—The Treaty of Paris ended the French and Indian War. In the treaty, France yielded Canada to England.

1863—The fire extinguisher was patented by Alanson Crane.

1870—The YMCA was founded in New York City.

1933—The Postal Telegraph Company of New York City introduced the singing telegram.

From Betsy Schmitt and Dave Veerman, 365 Trivia Twist Devotions: An Almanac of Fun Facts and Spiritual Truth for Every Day of the Year (Cincinnati: Standard, 2005). Scripture quotations are from the New Living Translation unless otherwise noted.