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VALLEY CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH

The God Who Watches Over You

2/2/2020

1 Comment

 

The promise of God to His people is simple in its essence and profound in its beauty; it is a core belief of our faith: The Lord watches over all who love him.  (Psalm 145:20)  It is a promised reiterated over and over again in the pages of the Bible.  

God promised Jacob:
 I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go.  (Genesis 28:15)  To Moses, God would say:  My presence will go with you and I will give you rest.  (Exodus 33: 14)  To Joshua he gave this promise:  As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.  (Joshua 1:5) 

God speaks to David in Psalm 32 and gives him this promise: I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.  (Psalm 32:8) 

In Psalm 121 we have these words that re-enforce this truth:
The Lord watches over you--the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all harm--he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore. (Psalm 121:5-8)

The presence of God that abides with us, that leads us and protects us gives us assurance in a world that can be a scary place at times.  When I feel vulnerable and afraid, when the path before me is uncertain, when I cannot find rest for my soul, when my own strength fails me and I have no where else turn, God is there, watching over me -- in this I find a measure peace and joy.  

God has said through the prophet Jeremiah:  
I will heal my people and will let them enjoy abundant peace and security.  (Jeremiah 33:6).  In this world, any sense of lasting security is fleeting, but in the Lord we find what our hearts truly long for; a sense of belonging, to feel safe and secure.  Through faith, we have a hope that is for us an anchor for our souls.  (Hebrews 6:19)

In the word of Peter, we confess:  
“Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.  (John 6:68)  We have One who is to us our refuge and strength, who invites us:  “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  (Matthew 11:28-29)

It's no wonder David could say:  
Even though I walk
through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me. (Psalm 23:4)  

As we continue our journey through this life what greater assurance could we find than to know there is a God who loves us, who cares for us, who walk with us; you tell me, where else can you find such assurance;  where else can you turn to find rest and security? 

Like the Psalmist, we pray:  ​
Keep me safe, my God, for in you I take refuge.  (Psalm 16:1)  And we confess:  Lord, you alone are my portion and my cup; you make my lot secure.  (Psalm 16:5)

This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says: “In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength".  (Isaiah 30:15)
1 Comment
Karen Macor
2/2/2020 06:33:29 pm

Thanks Ken. So true and perfectly timed.

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    Author

    Ken Clarke has been the Pastor at Valley since 2007. He lives in the Oliver area 
    with his wife Janice ; they have three adult children, Lisa, Scott & Tiffany (Riley), Andrea & Jason (Noah, Luke).

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