There is a way in the desert

The words of Isaiah (43:16-21) speak of the hope we can have in God. No matter how bad things look at the moment, God can always make a way through the desert. 

This is what the Lord says—
    he who made a way through the sea,
    a path through the mighty waters, 
¹⁷ who drew out the chariots and horses,
    the army and reinforcements together,
and they lay there, never to rise again,
    extinguished, snuffed out like a wick:

¹⁸ “Forget the former things;
    do not dwell on the past.
¹⁹ See, I am doing a new thing!
    Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?              
I am making a pathway in the wilderness
    and streams in the wasteland.

Living in Grace

D3LM3

You loved us first

Dear friends, please enjoy this deeply moving prayer by Soren Kierkergaard, entitled: "You have loved us first."

"Father in Heaven! You have loved us first, help us never to forget that You are love so that this sure conviction might triumph in our hearts over the seduction of the world,
over the disquiet of the soul,
over the anxiety for the future,
over the fright of the past,
over the distress of the moment.
But grant also that this conviction might discipline our soul so that our heart might remain faithful and sincere in the love which we bear to all those whom You have commanded us to love as we love ourselves."

1 John 4:10 - This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Who are you?

When Jacob was wrestling with the angel in Genesis 32, we note that the angel starts up a conversation with him:

27 “What is your name?” the man asked.

He replied, “Jacob.”

28 “Your name will no longer be Jacob,” the man told him. “From now on you will be called Israel, because you have fought with God and with men and have won.”

This may seem like a random question to ask, especially as the angel must have already known Jacob's name. However, we feel there is something deeper at play in this exchange. Is it possible that the angel was wanting Jacob to own up to who he truly was - he was the deceiver - the one who grabs the heel. And when Jacob accepts who he is, the angel moves him into a new dispensation - he is ready for change.

Sometimes we think that we need to change BEFORE God loves us. In fact, God already loves us, and when we accept this, we can begin the important transformation in our hearts and lives.

Living in Grace

D3LM3

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