09/11/2020
God watches over His children even when they are unaware. He looks after us whether we are awake and actively praying, or asleep and dreaming about some earthly dread or sweet thing. When we are His, He never lifts His hand from us, and stands vigilant over us... even if we are not conscious of His efforts. So sleep peacefully in His care, and know that He will awaken you in the morrow.
“I lay down and slept; I woke again, for the Lord sustained me.”
Psalm 3:5 ESV
Literature is full of books and stories about unknown benefactors, books like “Great Expectations” by Charles Dickens, but we are not like Dickens’ Pip, and the characters of others authors, who are looked after in secret. Although there is a certain romanticism in this notion, and we might like to imagine what life would be like if some wealthy philanthropist would take an interest in us, and straighten the road of life for us by making money available when we are desperate, removing us from dire situations, or maybe putting in a good word for us when we apply to good schools, or for jobs. In fact, we have such a watchful eye, but unlike Pip and the others, we know who He is... God. His angels look after us day and night, His Son saved us from sin and intercedes in prayer for us, and His Holy Spirit guides us, reminding us of His ever-watchful presence.
“He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade on your right hand. The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life. The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore.”
Psalm 121:3-8 ESV
Our great benefactor watches over us and keeps us as we make our way through life, but sometimes He will use a brother or sister in Christ to secretly help us in His name, and for His glory, however, we ultimately know whose hand that has been on us, and praise Him openly for His goodness. In this way the glory goes to God, and the reward to the child that obeyed His Father.
“In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.”
Psalm 4:8 ESV
Have you ever been driving your car when suddenly some danger appears before you? Perhaps a vehicle had stopped just in front of you, and you instinctively swerved into the other lane, maybe you slammed on your brakes in just the nick of time to avoid an accident, or a child that was about to run into the street in front of you mysteriously stopped just before entering your path. In those moments we might call out the name of Jesus, but when the danger has passed we pray in a shaky voice “Thank you Lord!” There was no time for long prayers, or need for drawn out thanksgiving, because in the moment of miracles time stands still, and God knows our hearts... beyond all words, and in fullness.
“And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”
Romans 8:27-28 ESV
Prayer:
Father, I thank you for all the miracles you perform in my life. I thank you for the large, and small, the known, and the unknown. Give me the faith to walk this life with confidence, always knowing that you are with me, your angels hovering near, Jesus in intercession, and your Holy Spirit guiding me. I praise your name for every miracle I have witnessed, but I praise you most for those that you have done in secret... knowing that my faith was sufficient without the encouragement they would offer. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you my God whose hand is on me all the days of my life, and who lifts me up with Jesus to stand before you, made perfect in Him, and pleasing to you. Great are you who bends low to be with me, and whose grace is meant for all who believe; the humble as if they were powerful, and the meek with a greater intensity than the bold. Our strength comes from you Lord, and great is your right arm that defends the least of us each day. In you we trust our lives as we slumber, and know that you go before us into the world to save us in times of unforeseen danger, and ease our burdens so that the hard times, which once were certain, might not be realized. Walk with us through these challenging days, and in the end, when your will dictates, lift us into heaven to be seated with Jesus at your table... then in this greatest of all miracles, feed us the bread, and serve us the wine, of Jesus Christ forevermore.
Rich Forbes