United we Stand

Ephesians 4:13 (NIV) 
¹³  until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. 

The verse preceding this talks about preparing God's people for works of service so that the body of Christ may be built up. I read the text for today several times before writing; trying to wrap my mind around just what was meant in verse 13.  The message shared at the worship service I attended today was helpful.

Our church is learning how to reach outside our walls, to build relationships with others, to invite people into our lives.  Through these relationships, we begin to care for each other. The goal is to get to the point where our new friends are curious about our faith. When they begin to ask questions, we are preparing how to answer with truth and love.

The key is unity. We need to be united in mind and spirit in order to be able to share our faith. It is important we are comfortable with each other, and that we have a few special friends praying for us as we journey out into the mission field of life.

Some of us will be called to provide food or shelter, meet the physical needs of people who are struggling just to live each day. Some of us will be called to befriend a lost or lonely person – visit a nursing home, a homeless shelter.  And some of us will be called to share our faith.

It is all possible when we are united in Christian love and have a heart to bring others into this community.

Ephesians 4:4-6,13

Matthew 2: 13-23

                                                                           Flight to Egypt

We care for and protect our children because we love them. We hover day and night, for they are innocent and precious to us, and are not aware of the harm that can come to them. Our babies at times seem to be on a mission to self destruct as they unknowingly reach for things that can burn or cut them, they will tumble to the ground if we do not catch them, they will go out in front of moving vehicles unaware of the danger and be crushed without our intervention. These are typical daily events in the life of a parent, and we naturally protect our children because they are just that….children.

In today’s reading, “Flight to Egypt,” Joseph certainly protects his infant, Jesus from the elements and typical baby dangers. He also shelters him from something far more sinister. The type of danger we never have to face. King Herod plans to search for and kill Jesus. Just think of the terror in knowing the king’s men could be bursting in any minute to rip your baby from your arms and violently take his life! 

“Take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.” (Matthew 2:13) Without hesitation, Joseph obeyed and escaped to safety with Mary and Joseph. The story goes on to tell of Herod’s anger and orders to have all boys two years and younger killed as not to miss Jesus. The horror of that time was prophesied in Jeremiah. After Herod’s death it seemed safe to return to Egypt, but Jesus’ family instead headed to the district of Galilee and settled in Nazareth, as Joseph was afraid to return to Israel since Herod’s son Arhelaus had taken his place. Jesus became a Nazarene.

The love and protective instinct of a father is boundless. That is not to say a father protects his child from hurt, disappointment, heartache, or pain, but that he watches over and allows such things in order to help his child grow and learn. We must take example from the Ultimate Father; as stated in the daily devotional Streams in the Desert, “We cannot see what loss, sorrow, and trials are accomplishing. We need only to trust. The Father comes near to take our hand and lead us on our way.”

Read/Listen to Matthew 2:13-23

Prayer is Laughing - Because you are in His Arms

Psalm 55:22-23 (NIV)
Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall. ...But as for me, I trust in you.

All three Psalms for today tell of trusting God and of taking refuge in Him. How do we cast our cares on the LORD?  Do we have any responsibility to make things better?  Do these words mean God will get us out of every scrape we get ourselves into?  The verse says that he will sustain us. The dictionary defines sustain as: To keep in existence; maintain; To supply with necessities or nourishment; provide for.

Did you notice that sustain doesn't mean to make it all better?  So what do we do with this information?  Life is a journey and along the way we learn from our mistakes.  God will protect and provide but He will not rescue when we need to learn a lesson.  God will work on our hearts, and our heads - instilling common sense when needed.

Psalm 56:11 (NIV) 
in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?  There will come a time when each of us needs to just simply trust.  There is nothing we can do, only God can help and it is at that time we just fall back and rest in His arms.

Psalm 57:1-2 (NIV)
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me, for in you my soul takes refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed. I cry out to God Most High, to God, who fulfills [his purpose] for me. This has always been such a beautiful image for me. A trouble person, beat up by the world, lost and feeling alone...finding safety and shelter in the shadow of God's wings.

This shelter or refuge will look different to each of us.  What do you look for in a refuge?  What gives you comfort and peace? Come, duck under His wings and feel the cool shade surround you.  Breathe in His healing love and bask in the moment.

Psalms 55, 56, 57