Things that go thump in the night

So, what do you think? With God on our side like this, how can we lose? If God didn’t hesitate to put everything on the line for us, embracing our condition and exposing himself to the worst by sending his own Son, is there anything else he wouldn’t gladly and freely do for us? And who would dare tangle with God by messing with one of God’s chosen? Who would dare even to point a finger? The One who died for us—who was raised to life for us!—is in the presence of God at this very moment sticking up for us. Do you think anyone is going to be able to drive a wedge between us and Christ’s love for us? There is no way! Not trouble, not hard times, not hatred, not hunger, not homelessness, not bullying threats, not backstabbing, not even the worst sins listed in Scripture: They kill us in cold blood because they hate you. We’re sitting ducks; they pick us off one by one. None of this fazes us because Jesus loves us. I’m absolutely convinced that nothing—nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable—absolutely nothing can get between us and God’s love because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced us. (Romans 8:32)

With God on our side - how can we lose? I want us each to stop for a moment today to really consider these words. Don't just give them a cursory glance - let them filter into your brain and make their way to your heart. We sometimes fear what we cannot see, listen to voices we know aren't really all that important, and follow after things that can bring us into harm's way - but with God on our side and his Word buried deep in our hearts, we stand a much better chance of avoiding the wrong steps and rising above the fear.

God put everything on the line for us in Christ's death, burial, and resurrection. Why do we think he will do less today? If he has put so much out there for us already, why do we doubt he cares enough for us to do the smaller things we need done today? I think we listen to our worst fears way too often. We listen to our own negative self-talk and that voice we hear tells us God won't be there when we need him the most. What does scripture say? If he gave it all for us already, is there anything he wouldn't GLADLY and FREELY do for us? Gladly - with great joy and enthusiasm. Freely - without strings. 

The other night I was awakened about 30 minutes after I went to bed to a loud noise somewhere in the house. As you might imagine, my heart immediately began to pound and I was on 'high alert' to figure out where the noise had come from and what it was that caused enough noise to awaken me. Alexa faithfully turned on the lights at my beckoning and I began to explore room to room, closet to closet. Nothing was apparent, but I knew I had heard something. Do you think I could return to sleep easily? If I had given into that fear created by the loud noise, the answer would be 'no', but I didn't given in!

There are things we fear that we don't see. Do you know what I discovered the next morning? A frame on one of my bookshelves had fallen over. That loud noise that awakened me, put me into a short panic mode, and caused me to search the house over was right there next to the bed! I didn't see what was so close to me because fear will do that to us. It will cause us to look all around and miss what is right there in front of us. Do you know what (or who) is right there in front of you when you are filled with fear? Jesus - but we don't see him because we are focused more on what caused the fear than on who is right there to keep us safe and secure! 

God freely and gladly gave - he freely and gladly keeps on giving. He stands where we cannot and he stands when we cannot. He isn't put off by the negative voices, nor is he intimidated by the things that go thump in the dark places. In fact, he has spoken truth so those negative voices will be silenced and he has provided light so those dark places will no longer intimidate us. So, don't fear what you cannot see. Don't listen to what intimidates or puts down. See who stands in front of you and who will never leave your side through it all. Just sayin!