Guardian of our souls

"He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross,
so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right.
By his wounds you are healed.
Once you were like sheep who wandered away.
But now you have turned to your Shepherd, the Guardian of your souls." - 1 Peter 2:24 (NLT)

The phrase that struck me in today's reading is 'Guardian of your souls.' 

This speaks to me of the promise that our Saviour has finished the work of salvation on the cross. When we place our lives in his care, we will still face trials and struggles, but Jesus remains the Guardian of our Souls. 

Perhaps, it is an ancient image that we should borrow for our present culture and hold onto the gift that it offers us. The world may attack us from the outside, but our Christ remains the protector of our souls. This is what Jesus was saying to his disciples, when he urged them not to be worried about what people could do to their physical bodies.

Matthew 10:28 - “Don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot touch your soul."

Living in Grace

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Not be shaken

"Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.” – Psalm 55:22

These words of comfort and hope are a great encouragement for us today. I pray that we would learn to cast our cares onto Christ and trust in his sustaining power. May the Spirit of God help us to rest secure and to not be shaken. 

"Listen to my prayer, O God, do not ignore my plea; hear me and answer me." - v.1

Living in Grace

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Providence

The timeless issue of Providence has reared it's head again as I have been reflecting on Esther's story. I have to admit that it is not always as simple as some make it out to be. Just as we seem to find a suitable answer for God's Providence, then we are thrown a curve ball of sorts. In order to try and wrestle with Scriptures like the following one, I have turned to a few famous authors to seek their collective wisdom:

Acts 24:2 - Seeing that by thee we enjoy great quietness, and that very worthy deeds are done unto this nation by thy providence... (KJV)

This is what these authors say:

"He that takes truth for his guide, and duty for his end, may safely trust to God's providence to lead him alright." - Blaise Pascal

Providence is wonderfully intricate. Ah! You want always to see through Providence, do you not? You never will, I assure you. You have not eyes good enough. You want to see what good that affliction was to you; you must believe it. You want to see how it can bring good to the soul; you may be enabled in a little time; but you cannot see it now; you must believe it. Honor God by trusting Him." - Charles Spurgeon

Nothing whatever, whether great or small, can happen to a believer, without God's ordering and permission. There is no such thing as "chance," "luck" or "accident" in the Christian's journey through this world. All is arranged and appointed by God. And all things are "working together" for the believer's good." - J. C. Ryle

What do you make of Providence? And is there a connection with Predestination in this?

Living in Grace

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In you

"Lord Christ,
you are the still centre of every storm.
In you is calm,
whatever the wind outside.
In you is reassurance,
however high the waves.
In you is strength,
however, contrary the tide." - Eddie Askew

We are reminded today that "in Jesus" we find our rest, peace and strength.

"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus..." - Romans 8:1

Living in Grace

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God at work

The miracle of Christmas is not meant to only last for one day of the year. The great truth of the Incarnation is that Jesus continues to be at work in our lives long after the Nativity has been packed away and the Christmas tree taken down.

"He will stand and shepherd his flock
    in the strength of the Lord,
    in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God.
And they will live securely, for then his greatness    will reach to the ends of the earth." - Micah 5:4

Do you notice how this verse speaks of God at work - the Messiah continually his great calling?
Standing.
Shepherding.
Giving Strength.
Helping us to feel Secure.

May the knowledge and love of the Son of God be with you always.

Living in Grace
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Deuteronomy - Loved by God

"About Benjamin he said:

“Let the beloved of the Lord rest secure in him,
    for he shields him all day long,    and the one the Lord loves rests between his shoulders.” - Numbers 33:12

I have always loved these words spoken over the tribe of Benjamin. They speak to me of an intimate relationship with God and remind us that God shields us all day long. The last part of the verse creates the image of a parent drawing a child close to their heart (between the shoulders) and allowing them to rest secure.

May God continue to watch over you and may you rest between his shoulders.

Living in Grace

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Some adVICE from me

So, let me tell you this funny story...

On my day off last week, I was doing some woodwork in the garage with Josh. He was helping me potter around and we were having great fun. He asked me to help make something for him and so I needed to drill a hole into a block of wood. I didn't have a vice to hold the wood in place, so I did what any man would do - I improvised. I put the block of wood between my feet and started to drill the hole into the wood. Of course, you can gather what happened next.....

....yes, the drill slipped and I managed to put a hole into the side of my foot. Needless to say there was a lot of blood and I had to rush myself off to the doctor, feeling quite foolish and sore! A few stitches and injections later I returned home and have now vowed to buy a vice!

Here is my reflection on this incident. Sometimes we need someone to hold us tightly and to protect us. A vice does a good job of keeping wood firm and secure, so that you can avoid injuring yourself, while you work on the wood. There are moments in our lives, when we need to rest securely in the loving arms of the Lord, so that he can hold us tightly. His reassuring presence keeps us from all harm and reminds us that he is with us at all times.

Listen to this adVICE....

1 Samuel 25:29 - "Even though someone is pursuing you to take your life, the life of my lord will be bound securely in the bundle of the living by the Lord your God."

Zechariah 10:12 - "I will strengthen them in the Lord and in his name they will live securely,” declares the Lord."

Living in Grace
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