Child of God

For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God's children. 

 Romans 8:16

The greatest awareness we can possess is the settled knowledge that we are truly God's child.  With that knowledge so many things are taken care of.  With God as our heavenly father we experience all the blessings reserved for his children.  

First of all, we experience his great love for us - a feeling of being wanted, accepted and cherished.  With that comes the knowledge that we are protected and safe. No matter what happens, nothing can harm us - we are safe in his arms.  He guides us with wisdom and gives the right answer for every situation.  As a good father he disciplines us that we might grow and become more like him. As we rest in him, all needs are supplied.  

Thank you, Lord, for the realization that I am your child.  As I trust in you, may I experience the peace, rest and joy that are my birthright.

See how very much our Father loves us,

for he calls us his children,

and that is what we are! 

1 John 3:1

Snare

The Lord is my light and my salvation-- 

whom shall I fear? 

The Lord is the stronghold of my life--

 of whom shall I be afraid?

Psalms 27:1 (NIV)

Another source of fear in our lives comes in our relationships.  We may feel intimidated by others or afraid to confront.  We may become passive, not standing up for ourselves or what we believe in.

God is a God of justice.  It is his desire that each person be treated fairly and with respect.  He works in us to correct any situation that is not according to this standard. If someone treats us disrespectfully or with injustice, God is our advocate.  If we treat someone else unfairly, God will correct us. 

Understanding our position in Christ keeps us from falling into the trap of fearing others or giving them too much power over us.  God wants us to be submissive one to another, but it is a voluntary submission not something forced by fear, manipulation or threat. 

Putting hope and trust in other human beings can leave us disappointed.  Humans always fall short.  Perhaps you have been caught in the snare of putting too much trust in someone only to find that they have let you down. 

What others say and do doesn't really matter.  Well, of course, it does matter very much because we are so dependent on each other.  The difference is that if we have made God our refuge and strength what other people do will not have a devastating effect upon us.  If the unchangeable God is our source then from him we will gain the strength to do the right thing even when the words and actions of others disappoint or hurt us.  We may need to wisely confront, or to overlook but always with the strength of God's love dictating our responses and actions.

This is freedom from fear.  We know that no matter what others do we will be safe and secure in God's care and he will give us the wisdom to respond to each situation with love and peace.  This is the freedom of God's spirit.  Lord, grant us more of your spirit for each moment and each day.

 Fearing people is a dangerous trap,

 but trusting the Lord means safety. 

 Prov 29:25 (NLT)

The Lord is for me, so I will have no fear.

 What can mere people do to me?  

 Psalms 118:6 (NLT)

Constancy

Every good and perfect gift is from above,

coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights,

who does not change like shifting shadows.

James 1:17 (NIV)

The big difference between us and God is he is constant and we are fickle.  Our moods can fluctuate from day to day making us sometimes erratic and unstable.

God, on the other hand does not change.  He cannot change his mind.  His plans and purposes are secure and steady.  

He is like a strong, steady sun that does not move across the sky but shines constantly down upon us - no shifting shadows.  We do not have to worry that he will grow tired and look away or ignore us.  He is always available when we need him, always watching over us.  His love and care never leave us. 

Lord, thank you for your steady light smiling down upon us. 

He will not let you stumble; the one who watches over you will not slumber. Indeed, he who watches over Israel never slumbers or sleeps.

Psalms 121:3-4 (NLT)

No longer will you need the sun to shine by day, nor the moon to give its light by night, for the Lord your God will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory.

Isaiah 60:19 (NLT)

Jewels

I am like a bridegroom in his wedding suit

or a bride with her jewels.

Isaiah 61:10 (NLT)

Then God will rejoice over you as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride. Isaiah 62:5 (NLT)

When my eye beholds a beautiful, sparking diamond ring adorning someone’s finger I think,  “How precious this one is to someone.”  Jewels are very small things but very valuable, full of special meaning. They are our carefully guarded treasured possessions.

We are Jesus prized possessions, his treasured jewels.  He was willing to sacrifice and pay a high price for us to make us his own. Jesus is very proud of us and so happy to have us as his family.  He rejoices over us.  We are his glory.  All that he has is ours.  He wants to share all of his possessions with us.  He wants us to be with him where he is and to see all of his glory.  All this he wants to bestow on us because we are his prized possessions.

All who are mine belong to you, 

and you have given them to me, so they bring me glory.

John 17:10 (NLT)

 

Father, I want those you have given me

to be with me where I am, 

and to see my glory, 

the glory you have given me

because you loved me before the creation of the world.

John 17:24 (NIV)

Protection

Monument Valley, Utah

He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me. 

Psalm 62:7

The Lord is my help.

I shall not be afraid.

I will trust in Him at all times.

He will surely keep me safe in his sanctuary.

When I am weak, He is strong.

He lifts me high above my enemies.

 His house is a place of peace and joy. 

  He is my hiding place.

God is my refuge and strength. 

He surrounds me with his presence.

My God is a strong tower.

A refuge for all who call to him for help.

The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.

Prov 18:10 (NIV)

Shelter

One of the most wonderful things I like to think about is the protection and shelter of God like the wings of an eagle spread over me. As I face the cares and responsibilities of daily life and face the fears that may stalk me at night, I find comfort and freedom in his sheltering wings.

 He will cover you with his feathers.He will shelter you with his wings.His faithful promises are your armor and protection.5 Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night,nor the arrow that flies in the day.

Psalms 91:4-5 (NLT)