Wednesday, October 18, 2023

10-18-2023

Good Morning All,

           John 10: 28; “I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.

         It seems like every action movie has that one scene in it.  The scene where the hero is either on a mountain or high up in a building and he has to grab hold of someone, usually the girl he ends up with, to keep them from falling.  He holds on with a tenuous grip until he can either pull or swing her to safety.  They are usually getting shot at or in an earthquake or something happening to make it more exciting.  Yet we know if it is a good guy he is holding; he won’t let go.  If it is a bad guy, there is a pretty good chance the bad guy will slip away.

    Maybe there has been a time or two when you have felt like you were slipping away; I know I have.  Events going on around us can really make things seem completely crazy.  Pressure from the job, your marriage, your children, your parents, the doctors and any one of a number of other places can build up and squeeze you like a pimple.  All that pressure can cause you to lose your grip.  You may even feel like it is easier just to let go.  It is easy to feel exhausted from all the pressure, especially if you think no one understands what you are feeling right now.  There are times when you feel like letting go; I know I have as well.

    It is at times like this that we see our comfort and our hope is entirely dependent on God.  No matter how squeezed you feel; God does not let go.  Even if you are absolutely positive that the best thing to do is to let go; God doesn’t let go.  So, when we feel like we are tumbling and spinning out of control, and everything is flying apart; what we are really doing is thrashing around in the palm of God’s hand; God doesn’t let go.  It is times like this that we recognize that all those external pressures are exactly that, external.  The pressure comes from the outside, but our peace comes from the inside; our peace comes from God.  Our peace comes from knowing that God holds us and not the other way around.  God holds on and doesn’t let go.

    No matter what you think you have done or are doing, God does not let go.  His love for you is overwhelming and he provides for us each day.  The most important things he gives us are hope, comfort, and peace.  We live knowing that God has something great in store for us- eternal life with him.  He gives us comfort- knowing that what hurts today is only temporary, what we fear right now will fade away, but God’s love never will.  He gives us peace- the certainty that no matter how often I feel like letting go- God doesn’t let go.  He is our rock and our shield; he is always there for us, and he will never let go.

   God never let’s go; trust in his promise and when you feel like you can’t hold on; trust that God will, and you are always safe in his arms.

Father, you protect me by your mighty arm because of your wonderful love.  Guard me by your mercy and keep me secure in my salvation and in the protection of your loving arms.  Be with those who feel as if they are slipping out of your hands.  Give them the knowledge and the certainty of your grace.  In the precious name of Jesus, we pray, amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret

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