When we need a Guardian

I was reading through Psalm 121 in the Complete Jewish Bible, as it offers some fresh insight into familiar passages. While doing this, I was struck by the use of the word 'Guardian', which is repeated a few times. In simple terms, a Guardian is someone who takes care of another person who is not able to care for themselves in the present moment. Usually this in the case of a child, who has a Guardian until they reach a certain age.

However, is this also not true of our relationship with God. Sometimes we are not able to take care of ourselves, and we need to be reminded that we have a God who is willing and able to be that Guardian for us.

He will not let your foot slip —
your guardian is not asleep.
4 No, the guardian of Isra’el
never slumbers or sleeps.

5 Adonai is your guardian; at your right hand
Adonai provides you with shade —
6 the sun can’t strike you during the day
or even the moon at night.

7 Adonai will guard you against all harm;
he will guard your life.
8 Adonai will guard your coming and going
from now on and forever. (Psalm 121)

Living in Grace

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Who means the most to you?

If I had to ask each of us to answer this question, what would your answer be?

Who means the most to you at the moment? 

Listen to the answer that Henri Nouwen gave: 

“When we honestly ask ourselves which person in our lives means the most to us, we often find that it is those who, instead of giving advice, solutions, or cures, have chosen rather to share our pain and touch our wounds with a warm and tender hand.” 

Who would that be in your world right now? 

Psalm 18:18 - They confronted me in the day of my disaster, but the Lord was my support.

Living in Grace

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The Root

"... consider this: You do not support the root, but the root supports you." - Romans 11:18

This verse reminded me of a profound truth. 

Christ is meant to be the one who keeps us rooted to the Father and to our faith. We are not the one who supports God - rather, it is God who supports us.

Let us stop trying to support the "root" and rather receive our strength and support from the Living God.

Living in Grace

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Strength together

 

The word 'Comfort' has many different meanings, which include: "easing the distress of someone" or "freedom from pain". However, I came across this definition which really speaks to me - Comfort means "strength together." 

If you have ever needed comfort then I sure you can relate to the idea of someone drawing alongside us in order to offer us solace and strength. We can rise from our periods of pain and despondency when we know that another person is there to assist us. 

Surely, part of the calling of being 'church' is that we comfort one another?

In our mutual journey of faith, we draw comfort from the words, actions and prayers of those around us. If we withdraw from community and fellowship then there is a danger that we have no one to comfort us.

Henri Nouwen wrote: "Comfort is the great human gift that creates community. Those who come together in mutual vulnerability are bound together by new strength that makes them into one body."

1 Corinthians 12:26 - If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honoured, every part rejoices with it.

Living in Grace

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We have everything we need

At the end of every year we often spend time wondering what we need in the coming year. There are expectations and commitments to think about, as well as worries, burdens and curve-balls to navigate. However, as Christians we also have the greatest gift for the journey ahead - we have God with us. In the following words of Max Lucado we truly have everything we need.

“You have a God who hears you,
the power of love behind you,
the Holy Spirit within you,
and all of heaven ahead of you.
If you have the Shepherd,
you have grace for every sin,
direction for every turn,
a candle for every corner
and an anchor for every storm.
You have everything you need.” – Max Lucado

Luke 11:10 - “Don’t bargain with God. Be direct. Ask for what you need. This is not a cat-and-mouse, hide-and-seek game we’re in." (Message)

Living Grace

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No Fear

In 1989 Brian Simo created a clothing brand that became very well known. It was called "No Fear" and part of the appeal came from the fact that most of us desire to live our lives without fear. I remember owning a cool beanie with the No Fear logo on it and there was a part of me that felt more confident every time I put it on. However, this name goes deeper than it may seem. There is something spiritual about having No Fear. 

When the angel Gabriel spoke to Zechariah and Mary, one of the first things he said to them was 'Do not be afraid" - have NO FEAR. I think this is word for many of us at the moment. We can hold onto the promise of God's strength in our times of trial and uncertainty. 

Having No Fear is not about putting on an item of clothing, but rather about reminding ourselves of the great promises of God. 

Luke 1:13 - But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. 

Living in Grace

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Better than life

"I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory.

Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you." - Psalm 63:2-3

In calling out to God for help David reminds himself (and the Lord) that he has already experience the power and glory of God in the sanctuary. This could be a way of reassuring himself that God is 'alive' and able to make himself known to his people. When you feel all alone and you struggle to see when God will show up, it is good to look back and be reminded that God is always present with us. This can in the temple or in the desert. Anyway, actually. 

Verse 3 is David's way of saying that knowing the unfailing love of God is worth more to him than surviving his current ordeal. This knowledge would allow David to push through the pain of his trials. Or as one author states: 

"Life without God is worse than death itself" (A. Anderson)

Living in Grace

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Six

Each day has enough trouble of its own.
These are the last words of Matthew 6 and they come at the end of portion where Jesus urges his followers not to worry about the trivial things in life.  It is not that these things aren't important for us - we do need food, shelter, clothing and so on - but I believe Jesus wants us to know that God is also concerned about these things too and God will make a plan for us. God will provide enough for us to get through each day.

That could mean - Enough food...
Enough shelter...
Enough love...
Enough strength...
Enough support...
Enough hope...
Enough comfort...

As you continue to make your journey to Holy Week reflect on these wonderful words from Jesus. God is enough. God will give us enough in order to sustain us for whatever we are facing.

^"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." - Matthew 6:33-34

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In Your Strength

 

Where do you draw your strength from? We all turn to something or someone to help us through each day. Some people turn to 'themselves', claiming that there is no one else to trust. I really understand this mindset, because in this way, we don't have to rely on anyone else. 

Some of us turn to other people and many times, they do offer us support and encouragement. However, we also experience the pain of being let down or disappointed by the frailty of people.

The writer of Psalm 21, mentions the phrase "in your strength, Lord" in his opening verse and as he closes the Psalm. He has made his decision - and it is rely on the STRENGTH of the LORD.

"The king rejoices in your strength, Lord.
    How great is his joy in the victories you give!" - Psalm 21:1

"Be exalted in your strength, Lord;
    we will sing and praise your might." - Psalm 21: 13

Living in Grace
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Standing in the Gap

<sup>Today's focal image is one which some of us may have come across before. It is of a person standing in the gap, which has opened up in the protective wall of Israel. Their role is one of offering protection and help, especially where it is needed in the 'gap.'

30</sup> “I looked for someone who might rebuild the wall of righteousness that guards the land. I searched for someone to stand in the gap in the wall so I wouldn’t have to destroy the land, but I found no one. ³¹ So now I will pour out my fury on them, consuming them with the fire of my anger. I will heap on their heads the full penalty for all their sins. I, the Sovereign Lord, have spoken!” - Ezekiel 22

If we take this image a little further and reflect on this in s symbolic way, what would you say represent the 'gaps' in our communities today? And then, what would the 'gaps' be in our churches, families and friendship circles? What strikes me as being very sad is that God couldn't find anyone willing to stand in the gap, which then led to damaging consequences for the entire community.

Reflection: If we are called by God to walk alongside others and to offer help, how can we effectively do this? What will standing in the gap mean for you today?

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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
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I know the feeling - Lent #12

Sometimes friends try to console us by offering us these words of comfort, "I know how you feel?" or even "I know the feeling!" In some cases they may really "know the feelings" that we are experiencing, but more often than not, they don't. Job's friends certainly weren't able to tell him that they understood what he was going through, because they had never experienced the kind of pain and loss that he had.

If one reads the comments of Eliphaz in Job 15, one can't but think, "thank goodness this guy isn't my friend!" His words don't offer much solace and they certainly don't even attempt to convey "I know how you feel!"

"You own mouth condemns you, not mine;
you own lips testify against you." (v.6)

"Do you listen in on God's council.
Do you limit wisdom to yourself." (v.8)

I am convinced that we don't always need someone to tell us that they know how we feel, but rather that we need people who are willing just to walk along side us and to listen to our troubles.

Action: Pray for someone who is going through a tough time today. Offer them the solace of Christ and the encouragement of the scriptures. Send them an encouraging verse right now and then say a prayer for them, as you send it.

Roger Ebert - "I believe that Empathy is the most essential quality of civilisation."

Living in Grace
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