6-18-2017

Good Morning All,

                        Psalm 115:11; “You who fear the Lord, trust in the Lord!  He is their help and their shield.”

    We have over the past couple of years gone to a children’s museum with our grandchildren.  It is all hands on.  It has a miniature garage to fix a car, a water room, a grocery store, an art and music rooms and much, much more.  It also had outside activities which included a life size dinosaur that moved and roared.  There was a baby one a little ways away as well.  My grandson saw these through the window and wanted to see them.

    We went to the display which, apparently, was activated by motion.  As soon as we got close, the adult one roared and turned its head.  My grandson’s eyes got huge.  He didn’t cry but he ran as quickly as he could and grabbed hold of his mother’s leg and clung as tightly as he could.  He held tight and looked back and forth between the adult one and the baby one.  He didn’t say much but his eyes told the story.  I don’t think you could have pried his arms open for all the tea in China.

    My grandson ran to and held onto the one person who he knew would never let anything happen to him.  He knew mom would keep him safe so he held on as tight as he could.  This is exactly what we should do with God; hold on as tight as we can.

    This is probably the single greatest blessing that God bestows on his redeemed children.  We know that we are saved; that our salvation is secure, our future life is eternal life with him.  Yet what about the life we live until that happens?  God has promised to always be with us, to be our rock, shield, defender and protector.  So if we fear the Lord, that is if we are those who trust in his promise of eternal life; then we should also trust in his promise to always be with us.  We should cling to his promise to be our help and our shield.  He will defend us from the rages and taunts of the devil while our life goes on.

    He gives us so many ways to cling to him.  We have his Word which speaks to us his tender words of hope and salvation.  We have the blessing of prayer where we can speak to him and pour out our heart and bare our soul to our protector and redeemer.  Above all, we have the gift of faith which, not only allows us, but actually encourages us to hold onto to God as tightly as we can, knowing that, we are safe in his loving arms.  Nothing can destroy us.  Nothing can pull us from his grasp because he holds us tight to himself.  We can take comfort by clinging back certain of our safety.

Gracious Father, nothing can separate us from your love.  As we face and fight our demons and fears keep us certain of our hope in you.  Protect us by your hand and send your Spirit to comfort us and to give us the peace that passes all human understanding and wisdom.  Be with those who feel fear and anxiety at this time. Keep them safe and strong, trusting in you for all good things.  In the precious name of Jesus we pray, amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret