Security Blanket

1 John 5:18-20

In the comic strip Peanuts, the character of Linus is always shown carrying his security blanket and sucking his thumb. If a cartoon strip character could have feelings, Linus would have felt protected. We all have insecurities and turn to different things to deal with them; to feel protected.

 Many people turn to their spouse or significant other. Children naturally look to their parents. Students to their teachers. Addicts to their drug. The haves to their possessions. Many put up an emotional wall to protect themselves from being hurt. Anger, intimidation, abuse – all can be tools of protection.

Here’s what John wrote about being protected; about feeling secure.

¹⁸ We know that God’s children do not make a practice of sinning, for God’s Son holds them securely, and the evil one cannot touch them. ¹⁹ We know that we are children of God and that the world around us is under the control of the evil one.          NLT

We live in a world “under the control of the evil one”. There are dangers everywhere. Yet, as a child of God, we can rest in the assurance, in the security, that our Heavenly Father will protect us.

In verses 18-20, there are three “we know” statements in the New Living Translation. The first two are in the above quote. Here’s the third.

²⁰ And we know that the Son of God has come, and he has given us understanding so that we can know the true God. And now we live in fellowship with the true God because we live in fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ. He is the only true God, and he is eternal life.            NLT

When you combine these three “we know” statements, here’s what you get: Because we know that God’s Son holds his children securely; because we know that we are God’s child; therefore, we know the true God and live in fellowship with Him.

That’s enough knowledge for even Linus to give up his security blanket.

A Mother's Love

Jude 17-25

 

Mothers will do almost anything to protect their children if they feel they are threatened. My brother tells the following story about our mother that illustrates this point.

 

As a little boy, he was playing with some friends when things turned ugly and the other boys started throwing crab apples at him. He couldn’t find anything to retaliate with except for a small broken piece of brick. So he threw it at one of the boys, hitting him in the forehead.

 

Shortly after running home, there was a loud knock at our door. Our mother answered the door to find an enraged mother with her bloodied son in tow. She yelled at our mom saying, “Look what your son did to my poor boy”. Perceiving a threat to her child, our mother responded, “Well… well… he probably deserved it”.

 

In today’s passage Jude wrote to those who have been called to follow Jesus to “watch out for scoffers”, “to build yourself up in your faith” and “save others by snatching them from the fire”. In other words, he told them to protect yourself and others against the evils of this world that can drag you down from following Christ.

 

I like how The Message makes this point of motherly protection:

 

^“But you, dear friends, carefully build yourselves up in this most holy faith by praying in the Holy Spirit, staying right at the center of God’s love, keeping your arms open and outstretched, ready for the mercy of our Master, Jesus Christ. This is the unending life, the real life! Go easy on those who hesitate in the faith. Go after those who take the wrong way. Be tender with sinners, but not soft on sin. The sin itself stinks to high heaven.”               Jude 20-23

 

Jude uses the phrase “Dear Friends” twice in today’s eight verses. He might as well have addressed them as, “Dear Children”, because he is as loving and protective as a Mother’s love trying to protect her children. His message is as relavent today for you and me as it was then.

 

Therefore, “keep your arms open and outstretched, ready for the mercy of our Master, Jesus Christ”. And when you see a brother or sister who is taking the wrong way, go after them and “snatch them from the fire”.

 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=jude%2017-25&version=NIV;MSG

https://www.biblegateway.com/audio/mclean/niv/Jude.1.17-Jude.1.25

 

 

 

Isaac and Abimelech -- Genesis 26

I am finding it such an adventure to start at the beginning of the Bible and travel through times past. Together we embark on this journey at the foundation of time, moving through history, discovering our roots. We are learning about the many firsts of life. We read about the first sin, the first piece of clothing, the first parental experience, the first flood, first covenant; the list goes on and on.

In Genesis 26:1-3 we learn about another first, the first witness protection program. There was a famine in the land... And Isaac went to Abimelech king of the Philistines, in Gerar. Then the LORD appeared to him and said: "Do not go down to Egypt; live in the land of which I shall tell you. Dwell in this land, and I will be with you and bless you…”

Isaac needed to escape the famine, but he also needed to keep his family safe. God told him to go to Gerar and to stay out of Egypt. God was sending Isaac to a safe place, He was going to keep Isaac and his people protected during the famine. God promised Isaac he would keep His promise to Abraham, and that in the end He would give all Abraham's descendants these lands.

I find it truly amazing the God of Isaac wants to do the same for me and my family. He tells me to keep close to Him. His promise of protection is evident by the salvation He provided us when He sent His only Son to die. Can you feel the love?

Read the entire scripture reading for today at Biblegateway and Genesis 26

Please comment below or via email here.