Loving Arms

"Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you."

1 Peter 5:6-7

It takes humility to give our worries to God. Our prideful, independent nature wants to hold tightly to at least some of our troubles, saying "You know what God? I can take care of this one myself." But Peter tells us to cast (throw) all our anxiety on God. Why? Because the Lord cares about us and He wants to be the one to lift us up, when the time is right. When we refuse to go to Him for help and comfort, it's the same as dismissing Him. Sometimes I wonder if we truly understand the heart of our Father. It must be very painful for Him to hold out His arms to us, the children He loves so much, only to watch us run the other way. 

Knowing God

"He who sees Me sees the One who sent Me."

John 12:45

The word "see" used in this verse means to behold as a spectator, showing particular interest in something or someone. Those men and women who beheld Christ when He walked the earth, saw God. This is the wonder of the incarnation: God the Father coming to reveal Himself in God the Son. Today we don't have to guess what God is like. By studying the life and words of Christ, we can know.  We see the power of God in Jesus' miracles, the mercy of God in Jesus' interaction with sinners, the tenderness of God in Jesus' treatment of children, the love of God to mankind in Jesus' sacrifice on the cross, the grace of God in Jesus' forgiveness of those who harmed Him. These are just a few of the attributes of God shown in Jesus. We can know so much more about God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit as we study the Bible. 

Don't Settle for Less

"The God who made the world and all things in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands;"

Acts 17:24

The awesome Creator of the earth and all it possesses, the Ruler of the Universe, cannot be housed in a structure, nor imprisoned in creation itself. God is not in all things, and to say that He is belittles and impersonalizes Him. God is unique. There is no one like Him. He loves us and wants us to know Him as He really is. Why should we settle for empty, man-made gods when we can have a vital relationship with God Almighty Himself?

Set Free

"It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery."

Galatians 5:1

Here in the Colorado Rockies the deer roam freely. Yesterday I watched several of them prance across a field and wondered if they are cognizant of their freedom. Probably not, as  it's unlikely any of them have ever been caged. As a Christian, I am very much aware that Christ has set me free from the caged life of religion, which is a "yoke of slavery". Religion tells us to work our way to God; an impossible task that only leads to bondage. Christ tells us to come to Him and experience the liberty of grace. Grace is getting what we don't deserve. When we receive Christ as our Savior, religion stops and a relationship begins. We don't deserve it, but God says it's ours when we stop trying to gain His approval by what we do, and trust Christ's sacrifice on the cross to do it for us.

Seek Wise Counsel

"Without consultation, plans are frustrated,

         But with many counselors they succeed."

Proverbs 15:22

There have been occasions when I made hasty decisions, instead of taking the time to think through the situation and plot a good course of action. The outcome was always disappointing. How much better it would have been to first seek God's counsel through prayer and meditation on His word. Then if His answer was not clear to go to a trusted, spiritually mature friend to ask advice. Sometimes God uses the wisdom of others to guide and direct us. 

Hope in Despair

"My eyes pour down unceasingly,

         Without stopping, 

    Until the LORD looks down

 And sees from heaven."

Lamentations 3:49-50

After the devastation of Jerusalem and the exile of his people, Jeremiah went into a state of deep depression. Lamentations records the reality and intensity of his feelings: distress, torment, overflowing tears, groaning and more. He pours it all out before the Lord, and we see that for Jeremiah there will be no comfort aside from that which God will give. And yet there were glimpses of hope that Jeremiah caught: the Lord's lovingkindness; His compassion, faithfulness and goodness (Lamentations 3:22-25). There are times in our own lives when we need to pour out our troubles before the Lord. He doesn't condemn us for this. In fact, God will often use our sorrow to draw us closer to Himself. When we come seeking consolation, we will find hope.

Sing Like David

But as for me, I shall sing of Your strength; Yes, I shall joyfully sing of Your lovingkindness in the morning, For You have been my stronghold. And a refuge in the day of my distress.

Psalm 59:16

David wrote this psalm when Saul was trying to kill him. He knew from where his protection would come. The psalm begins as a prayer for deliverance and ends as a song of praise. David was in distress, but in the morning he would sing of  God's strength and lovingkindness. He knew God would deliver him. He had always been his stronghold and refuge, and He would continue to be so. We can follow David's lead and sing these words of praises to the Lord. For surely His strength and lovingkindness is as certain for us today, as it was for David.