Precious! -- March 6, 2009

How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God!
Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Your wings.
Psalm 36:7NKJV

Power, might, holiness and even perfection are all attributes of our God. He is amazing! Yet Scripture teaches it is His lovingkindness that brings us close to Him. Because of His loving kindness we can draw close with metaphorical realization that God sees us the way a mother-hen sees her chick. We can literally be that close to God through His lovingkindness. This love resulted in the Father sending the Son to die for us. It also sent the Spirit to live in us a an earnest payment of things to come and a guide to keep us connected until we receive the full reality of the life to come.

Hebrews says it this way in Hebrews 11:6 (NKJV), But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Our faith must move beyond an intellectual acknowledgement that some kind of Creator exists out there somewhere. If we see no chance of pleasing our creator we will lose hope and give up trying to serve Him. Our view fo God needs to be personal. He is our loving Creator who want s to become our Father through the substitutional death of Jesus. Then He wants to become intimate with us. His reward is Himself! After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, saying, “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward.” Genesis 15:1 (NKJV) Our Father gives Himself to us!

As we go about our daily living, remember the Father is close. He is accessable to us. We can put our trust in Him! He wants to draw us near so we can know Him and what He is about. He wants to protect us and teach us. He wants to comfort and nurture us. His love for us is precious because it brings us close to Him. We can approach Him with confidence.

Lord, move me close to You, remind me You are available and willing. Thanks for Your protection, comfort, and nurture. Raise my confidence in Your desire for our closeness. Help me hold Your lovingkindness precious in my heart.

Under the Shadow of His Wings,

Pastor Jason