9-23-2019

Good Morning All,

     Isaiah 41:13; “For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, "Fear not, I am the one who helps you."

    Have you ever been sound asleep, lying safely in your bed and have a dream where you are falling?  You feel your arms flailing about as you plummet downward at an ever increasing speed.  Suddenly, you sit up in bed with a start.  Your heart is racing, you are breathing hard; perhaps you might even be sweating.  It takes you a few minutes to get everything under control and then relax again and go back to sleep; why do we do this?  We know that we are lying comfortably and securely in bed.  We know we are not flying through time and space at hyper speed; yet we flail and toss only to awake with a start and an elevated heart rate, pulse rate and breathing rate.  Why do we do this?

    Most of us realize that it is in fact the power of the mind which alters our reality.  Our mind has the power to make us feel and experience just about anything and it doesn’t have to be a real event.  Your mind can have you being chased by space aliens, unicorns, dinosaurs or whatever else exists in the caverns of your imagination.  It can be so real that you can practically touch something or hear something or someone.  Yet even in all the “realness” of your dream; you never left your bed, you were never in any danger.

    This describes our faith life as well.  The devil and the world can play all sorts of tricks to make you believe that you are “falling”.  The devil will try to have you believe that you are falling away from God’s love and protection.  The devil will try to have you think that you have been abandoned along a desolate path on a cold foggy night.  The devil will try to convince you that you are lost, hungry, homeless, with no one in sight.  The devil will try to have you think that your cries, your calls, your prayers are falling on deaf ears.  And there are times when this will feel so real that sit up with a fright and a start.  Yet know this; you are never abandoned; you are never left alone.

    One of the most recurring themes of the Bible is the steadfast love of God which never leaves us.  He is always at hand; he always has us in his loving arms.  We are safe and secure in his loving arms.  The devil wants you to feel like you are falling.  God wants you to know that you are not.  You are not falling into the depths of hell or anywhere else.  When the doctor tests come; God is there.  When the wear and tear of a difficult relationship strains you; God is there.  When loved ones are called home from us; God is there.  When all seems lost; God is there because God never left.  He always had you by your hand; he always held you close.  So, rest comfortably in his loving arms, secure in the knowledge that you are held safe and secure.  Rest in his peace.

Father, your mercies are new every day.  Keep us safe in your beloved grace.  Keep our hearts and minds at peace.  Keep our eyes ever focused upon your perfect love.  Give us your peace.  In Jesus’ precious name we pray, amen

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret