John 14:18

Certainly nothing seems to conjure up the feeling of helplessness in our minds like the word “orphan”. Left bereft, longing for unconditional familial love and hugs of both affirmation and acceptance – often all presented to one at such a tender age as to paralyze with sorrow and fear or release to a life of rampant rebellion. Even as I write these words I realize that we can all feel like “orphans” in different periods of our lives. Take for instance the spouse that is rejected and is no longer loved, or the loneliness that can occur amidst bustling crowds and swarms of people, or the feeling of friendlessness even in the flurry of facebook! With all of our technical gadgets and know-how to keep connected, we seem more alone than ever – more isolated – more island-like. Alone is not what Jesus is about. Indeed, we serve a “with us” God. I am reminded of our Lord’s Word to us in Matthew:

“And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matt 28:20 (NIV)

In our verse for today our Lord reminds His guys of a promise that permeates much of God’s Word – He will be with us. From Moses to the psalmist to the writer of Hebrews, Scripture is replete with this comforting golden promise. We find Moses speaking these words to the Israelites in Deuteronomy:

6 “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Deut 31:6 (NIV)

God told Joshua - the man who followed in the footsteps of the great leader Moses - almost the exact same encouraging Word:

5 “No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. 6Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them. 7 Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go.” Josh 1:5-7 (NIV)

“We shall never find happiness by looking at our prayers, our doings, or our feelings; it is what Jesus is, not what we are, that gives rest to the soul. If we would at once overcome Satan and have peace with God, it must be by ‘looking unto Jesus’. Keep thine eye simply on Him; let His death, His sufferings, His merits, His glories, His intercession, be fresh upon thy mind; when thou wakest in the morning look to Him; when thou liest down at night look to Him. Oh! Let not thy hopes or fears come between thee and Jesus; follow hard after Him, and He will never fail thee.” C. H. Spurgeon

One of my favorite verses in Scripture shows the tenderness and availability of our God as we rest upon His lap with our heads between His shoulders. I suppose I have tender memories of sitting in my Daddy’s lap and it was such a secure, safe and loving place to be. Certain that not all share this same memory, Scripture tells us that it is God’s desires for us to rest secure in His:

"Let the beloved of the LORD rest secure in him, for he shields him all day long, and the one the LORD loves rests between his shoulders." Deut 33:12 (NIV)

“God often uses the repetitive events and themes in daily life to get my attention and draw me closer to Himself. Now instead of just listening for God's whisper, I am trying to recognize the sacred echoes- those moments when God speaks the same message to my heart again and again. I call them sacred echoes because I've noticed that throughout my relationships, daily life, and study, the same scripturally sound idea or phrase or word will keep reappearing until I can no longer avoid its presence. Is this mere coincidence or is it something more? When it comes to hearing from God, I firmly believe the Bible is our source and authority. God's Word is like a megaphone to His people. Throughout Scripture God speaks through kings and queens, princes and prophets, poets and pilgrims. He speaks through weather patterns, barnyard animals and even the stars in the sky. God is not only creative, but He is persistent in getting our attention and communicating with us.” Margaret Feinberg

I am reminded of the words the apostle Paul penned to his beloved Timothy when he sat alone in prison – sans cloak and parchments - deserted by friends and comrades save Luke the faithful physician – awaiting his imminent execution:

9 Do your best to come to me quickly, 10 for Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia. 11 Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry. 12 I sent Tychicus to Ephesus. 13 When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, and my scrolls, especially the parchments. 14 Alexander the metalworker did me a great deal of harm. The Lord will repay him for what he has done. 15 You too should be on your guard against him, because he strongly opposed our message. 16 At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them. 17 But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was delivered from the lion's mouth. 18 The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen. 2 Tim 4:9-18 (NIV)

“When God is our strength, it is strength indeed; when our strength is our own, it is only weakness.” St. Augustine

“Oh, how great peace and quietness would he possess who should cut off all vain anxiety and place all his confidence in God.” Thomas a Kempis