A sunrise and a limp

"Jacob named the place Peniel (which means “face of God”), for he said, “I have seen God face to face, yet my life has been spared.” 31 The sun was rising as Jacob left Peniel, and he was limping because of the injury to his hip." - Genesis 32:30-31

The story of Jacob's wrestling match with the angel, ends with these few final verses. I found such comfort in the picture of Jacob leaving Peniel while the sun rose for the start of a new day. It speaks to me of new beginnings, and the end of the anguish of the night. His limp also speaks to me of the scars we carry with us - they teach us and form us, but they don't stop us walking in the ways of God.

Thought: When you walk with Christ, what scars do you carry that speak of your testimony?

Living in grace

D3LM3

A prayer to start your day

“Alone with none but Thee, my God,
I journey on my way.
What need I fear when Thou art near
O King of night and day?
More safe am I within Thy hand
Than if a host did round me stand.” – Columba (521-597)

7 "My salvation and my honor depend on God
    he is my mighty rock, my refuge.
8 Trust in him at all times, you people;
    pour out your hearts to him,
    for God is our refuge." - Psalm 62:7

Living in Grace

D3LM3

A mouth full of dirt

When Jeremiah laments God's anger against him, he uses the interesting picture of being made to eat gravel. He writes:

6 "He has broken my teeth with gravel;
    he has trampled me in the dust.
17 I have been deprived of peace;
    I have forgotten what prosperity is." - Lamentations 3:16-17

This past week I had a hard fall while out trail-running and got to experience eating 'gravel' as a first-hand experience. Let me be clear - it is not highly recommended. When I got up and wiped the dust off my body, I was genuinely concerned that I had broken some teeth, but thankfully they were all intact. It was just my face that looks like I have been in a barfight :)

Thought: I am grateful that Jesus gives us a more graceful picture of God. I don't want to believe in a Saviour who seeks to trample me in the dust and shove my teeth in the gravel. I can understand Jeremiah's feeling of abandonment, but I trust that we have not been forgotten by Christ.

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Lift up your head

 

"But you, Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high." - Psalm 3:3

There are times in our lives when circumstances cause our heads to drop. We feel despondent and drained - we feel that the weight of life has pulled us down. 

It is when we are feeling like this that Psalm 3 really offers us hope. God shields us, but God is also the one who lifts our heads, so we can bravely face what lies before us.

Thought: May you know the love of God as Jesus walks alongside you and lifts your head high.

Living in Grace

D3LM3

A different kind of Treasure

"My child, listen to what I say, and treasure my commands.
2 Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding.
3 Cry out for insight, and ask for understanding.
4 Search for them as you would for silver; seek them like hidden treasures.
5 Then you will understand what it means to fear the Lord,
and you will gain knowledge of God.
6 For the Lord grants wisdom! From his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
7 He grants a treasure of common sense to the honest.
He is a shield to those who walk with integrity." - Proverbs 2:1-7

A quick read of Proverbs 2 reveals how highly valued wisdom was in the Old Testament. The writer speaks of wisdom as a hidden treasure, and how God grants this treasure to those who walk in his ways. I believe that wisdom is still highly valued and we should still seek it with all our hearts. 

Our world has no shortage of information, but in general we lack Godly wisdom. What do you feel?

Living in Grace

D3LM3

The Perfect Dream

We all dream of something remarkable taking place in our lives - the answer to a deep longing or a miraculous answer to prayer. When Solomon encountered God in a dream (1 Kings 3), he was asked the question we all long for:

"That night the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream, and God said, “What do you want? Ask, and I will give it to you!”

How would you answer that question today?

What do you want? 

If you ask God for one thing, what would you ask for?

Better health? More security? Financial help? A partner? Peace? Help with your future? Faith? 

Thought: My immediate response to this question could tell me a lot about what I am struggling with in my life at the moment?

Nehemiah 9:27 - From heaven you heard them, and in your great compassion you gave them deliverers, who rescued them from the hand of their enemies.

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Open our hearts

I offer you this beautiful prayer for the start of this new week:

"O Lord,
Open our eyes to your presence
Open our minds to your grace
Open our lips to your praises
Open our hearts to your love
Open our lives to your healing
And be found among us. Amen." - David Adam

Luke 24:32 - "They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”

Living in Grace

D3LM3