Palm of God's Hand

Carrying on from yesterday, where I used a line from a Traditional Irish Blessing, I want to use the last line of that blessing as our key focus for today.

"May God hold you in the palm of His hand."

I love the image that this line creates for us. It helps me imagine that God is so huge and strong, that he is able to lovingly hold me in his protective hand. God has the power to squash and clench his fist, but instead he uses his hand to love, care and protect us.  May this fantastic image live with you today - you can rest in the palm of God's hand.

"You’ll be a stunning crown in the palm of God’s hand, a jeweled gold cup held high in the hand of your God. No more will anyone call you Rejected, and your country will no more be called Ruined. You’ll be called Hephzibah (My Delight), and your land Beulah (Married), Because God delights in you and your land will be like a wedding celebration." - Isaiah 62:1-5 (Message)

Living in Grace
D3LM3

Wind at your back

"May the wind be always at your back."
I never fully understood the impact of these words from the old Irish Blessing, until I began to run around Fish Hoek. Some days I can find myself really straining against the wind whilst on a jog, but then I turn down a side street and suddenly the wind is blowing on my back. Wow, it makes a world of difference. It almost feels as if the wind carries you along the road and the journey feels much more pleasant.

So, in light of this, I pray that we would all experience the wind upon our backs and that God would carry you along your journey. I realise that their will be times of strain and struggle ahead, but may most of our days we 'running with the wind.'

May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face;
the rains fall soft upon your fields
and until we meet again,
may God hold you in the palm of His hand.

Living in Grace
D3LM3

The Shield - Advent 3

"I bind myself today
The power of God to hold and lead
His eye to watch, His might to stay
His ear to hearken to my need
The wisdom of my God to teach
His hand to guide
His shield to ward
The word of God to give me speech
His Heavenly Host to be my guard." - Irish Blessing

It is the image of God's protective shield that struck home to me today. What strikes you about this blessing? May God be near you and may God bless you.

Genesis 15:1 - After this, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward.”

Living in Grace
D3LM3