1-30-2020

      Good Morning All, 

     Psalm 17:8; “Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings”

    I had the best of intentions.  I really did.  We were scheduled to have supper with some wonderful friends at 5:30. It was about 12:30 so I had 4 or 5 hours to get something done.  I had most everything done that needed to be done.  I was now approaching that very rare area in space and time for me; I was going to catch up on some long overdue reading.  I settled into my office in the parsonage and was looking forward to delving into some articles and a new book that sat on my desk.  My office is on the north side of the house and I have windows in the corner with windows on the north and west sides.  This is nice to see out with but in the winter, when the northwest winds blow; it gets a little chilly.

    So, I took my blanket and wrapped up in it and sat in my reading chair and began to get some reading done.  I don’t remember falling asleep but suddenly it was 2 hours later.  I remember being wrapped in my blanket and feeling the warmth and the comfort of my favorite blanket.  I felt so comfortable, content; like there were no cares or problems in the world.  I had peace; I had a calm and serene afternoon.

    In a lot of ways, this is how we can view God’s grace.  It is a warm comfortable blanket.  It wraps you in a safe cocoon.  It hides you in the shadow of God’s wings.  This has many connotations.  It can be as when a mother hen defends her chicks from danger.  God shields us from the arrows and attacks of the devil and the world.  This is one way to read this verse and it is a correct way to read it.  But there is another way to read it as well.

    We can take great comfort in God’s grace.  Because of his grace, we really have no great cares in this world.  As we luxuriate in his loving arms, enjoying his grace, we can find peace.  We can find a greater peace there than we have wrapped up in our favorite blanket on a cold winter’s day.  God’s grace gives us the peace to face the struggles of life, the battles of the day and nothing we can ever face can ever take us from God’s grace.  His promise of life, love, hope and safety envelops us in its warmth and in its safety.  In God’s grace we can sleep the peaceful sleep, the rest that only he can give to us.  It is the peace that world cannot give and does not know.  We only receive this peace because of God’s wonderful grace.

    So, take every opportunity to wrap yourself in God’s incredible grace.  Find your comfort, your solace, your peace there, in his arms.  Hide in the shadow of his wings and feel the warmth of his ever-present grace overflow you.  Trust in his mercy, live in his love and enjoy the blessings of his grace and rest knowing that he is always there to protect you.

Gracious Father, your mercies are new to us every day and they roll over us like a river.  Your grace envelops us and gives to us the wonderful restful peace that only you can give.  Be with those who are restless and find no peace.  Bring them back into the shadow of your wings and give to them the hope and certainty of your love.  Bring them your peace.  In Jesus’ precious name we pray. Amen

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret