Even the sparrow has found a home

"Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young - a place near your altar." - Psalm 84:3

The other day I noticed a sparrow sitting on an old telephone wire. She looked busy but not stressed. Obviously, I don't speak "sparrow", so I don't know for sure, but it seemed to me that she wasn't anxious about her life. She trusted that all would be ok.

The Psalmist must have also noticed the activity of the sparrows and swallows. He was able to see that they found a safe place for their young, and that their nests were near the altar of the Lord. 

I find this a remarkable reminder of the compassion of God. Compared to the might of the Lord, the sparrow is quite puny, yet she is not afraid of God - in fact, she trusts so much in God's protective love, that she makes her home as close to His presence as possible. 

Surely, there is a lesson for us in this action. Have we made our 'homes' close to the altar of the Lord?

Luke 12:6 - “What is the price of five sparrows—two copper coins? Yet God does not forget a single one of them.

Living in Grace

D3LM3

A safe Harbour

Harbours are built to shelter boats/ships from the chaos of the sea. They provide rest and refuge for the vessels, and allow the sailors chance to catch their breath, re-stock the vessel, and prepare for the next journey.

What if we saw the presence of God as one of these safe places - a refuge - a harbour? 

What if we realised that God allows us moments to withdraw from the chaos of the sea and to rest in the still waters?

Read what Psalm 107 says: 

23 Some went off to sea in ships, plying the trade routes of the world.
24 They, too, observed the Lord’s power in action,
his impressive works on the deepest seas.
25 He spoke, and the winds rose, stirring up the waves.
26 Their ships were tossed to the heavens
and plunged again to the depths; the sailors cringed in terror.
27 They reeled and staggered like drunkards and were at their wits’ end.
28 “Lord, help!” they cried in their trouble,
and he saved them from their distress.
29 He calmed the storm to a whisper and stilled the waves.
30 What a blessing was that stillness as he brought them safely into harbour!

Thought: Do you need to pull into the harbour of God's grace today? What is stopping you?

Living in grace

D3LM3

Our Home

Psalm 90:1 – “Lord, through all the generations you have been our home…”

When Moses wrote these words, he remembered how through everything that he had been through, God had been their help and refuge. 

We all seek our homes to be places of safety and a haven from the outside world - they offer comfort and rest, a place to be vulnerable and a safe space where we can be ourselves. Although our human 'homes' offer us a glimpse of the perfect home, we know that one day we will be able to rest in the presence of the Lord. 

God will be our true Home.

Psalm 23:6 - Your beauty and love chase after me every day of my life. I’m back home in the house of God for the rest of my life.

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Safe thus far

In the well-known hymn Amazing Grace, there is a verse that says:

"Through many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come;
Tis grace has brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home."

As we read these words today, what things has God brought us safely through? Can you think of some snares and dangers that the grace of Christ has carried you through lately?

I am thankful that this hymn reminds me that God has been with me in the past and he will continue to lead me home. 

1 Samuel 7:12 - Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, saying, “Thus far the Lord has helped us.”

Living in Grace

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Hiding from evil

"Hide me from the conspiracy of the wicked, from the plots of evildoers." - Psalm 64:2

It is very easy for us as South Africans to draw a parallel from today's reading, to the recent events of looting and violence in our country. It seems clear that those behind the actions plotted and conspired to bring maximum destruction to our communities. 

So, in light of these events, how do read David's words and what do we make of them? Would this mean that we hope God can hide us from the physical evildoers, or is he asking for protection from the fallout of their actions? Or is it a little of both? It is clear that as Christ-followers we will not be exempt from suffering, but what can we expect from God during these times? 

I realise these are tough questions, but they are on everyone's minds at the moment. Perhaps my response is too simplistic for some, but I want to believe that I can turn to God for help in my time of need and that God will protect me from the 'evil one.' This doesn't mean that I will never face trials or sorrow, but I see it as God's promise to keep my 'soul/spirit/life' safe from the clutches of the enemy. Even in ultimate death I can know that I am in the strong hands of my loving Saviour.

"Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings." - Psalm 17:8

Living in Grace

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Cling to?

"I cling to you; your right hand upholds me." - Psalm 63:8

I think that we all cling to something in our lives, even if we don't really think so. Another way of putting it, is things that we lean on when times get tough. We turn to a person, or a habit or even a ritual. These are things that help us through the seas of trial and turmoil.

David tells us that he clings to God and when he does that then we feels secure and protected.

Who do you turn to?

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Remembering God through the night

"On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night. Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings." - Psalm 63:6-7

The first impression I get from these verses is of David struggling to sleep. As he lies awake at night - perhaps fearing for his life or just thinking about his troubles, so he turns to God. He remembers God and that God has been with him in the past. We also know that the 'night' was considered to a symbol of evil and the demonic world, so David allows his thoughts to turn to God in these dark times, rather than dwell on the evil around him.

The picture of a tiny bird singing in the shelter of her mother's wings comes to my mind as I read through the second part of the passage. The chick is vulnerable and afraid, yet it is able to sing because it has the reassurance of its mother close by. 

How does this make you feel at the moment? Can you relate in anyway?

Eugene Peterson paraphrases these verses in this way:

If I’m sleepless at midnight,
    I spend the hours in grateful reflection.
Because you’ve always stood up for me,
    I’m free to run and play.

Living in Grace

D3LM3

A Safe-house

I needed to be reminded of these words today. They are just a paraphrase of Psalm 9, but the words rested well in my soul. May they also offer you some encouragement.

"God’s a safe-house for the battered,
    a sanctuary during bad times.
The moment you arrive, you relax;
    you’re never sorry you knocked." - Psalm 9:9-10

I pray that we are not sorry for knocking on the door of God's heart.

Living in Grace

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Proverbs 18

"God’s name is a place of protection—
    good people can run there and be safe.

¹¹ The rich think their wealth protects them;
    they imagine themselves safe behind it.

¹² Pride first, then the crash,
    but humility is precursor to honour.

¹³ Answering before listening
    is both stupid and rude.

¹⁴ A healthy spirit conquers adversity,
    but what can you do when the spirit is crushed?

¹⁵ Wise men and women are always learning,
    always listening for fresh insights.

¹⁶ A gift gets attention;
    it buys the attention of eminent people." - Proverbs 18 (Message)

When I stumbled upon Proverbs 18 today, I have to admit that I only needed to read verse 10 - that was enough for me - God gave me the hope and encouragement I needed. As you read these words, may you find a WORD of comfort from one of the lives of this Proverb.

Living in Grace

D3LM3

The Connection

"Now a man of the tribe of Levi married a Levite woman,  and she became pregnant and gave birth to a son. When she saw that he was a fine child, she hid him for three months." - Exodus 2:1-2

It is interesting to note the similarity between this verse, which speaks about Moses, and our recent experience of the birth of Jesus. Both Mary and Jochebed (Moses' mom) saw something 'fine' in their sons and both boys grew up to 'save' their people. Moses became synonymous with rescuing the Israelites from their Egyptian masters and Jesus offers us freedom from Sin, which seeks to be our master.

The other obvious connection between Jesus and Moses is that they both needed to be hidden from wicked men in their infancy. As much as evil rulers tried to destroy God's chosen ones, the Spirit took care of them and lead them to safety.
 
As we continue into 2019 may we seek to discover traces of God's grace, love and light in the Scriptures, as well as come to understand the True FREEDOM given to us in Jesus Christ. 

Living in Grace
D3LM3

God is ...

When David was going through a tough time he reminded himself, as well as the people of Israel, what God was really like. He used some delightful word pictures in Psalm 144 to describe Yahweh.

"He is my loving ally
and my fortress,
my tower of safety,
my deliverer.
He stands before me as a shield,
and I will take refuge in him." - Psalm 144:2

Pcik one of this images of God and dwell on this today.
May God bless you and keep you.

Living in Grace
D3LM3

The chase is wild

King David finds himself in a spot of trouble and he knows that the only one who can save him is God. So, in his distress, he pins his ears back and he runs to the Father. God will be his place of safety - his refuge - his haven.

"God! God! I am running to you for dear life;
    the chase is wild.If they catch me, I’m finished:" - Psalm 7:1 (Message)

When we are feeling a little deflated and lost or when we feel as if our enemies are out to get us, where do we turn? Do we run to God for dear life, experiencing the wild chase or do we give up?

May you run into the safe arms of Jesus today.

Living in Grace
D3LM3