by Pastor Douglas Brauner

God is Faithful

I grew up with sandy Oregon beaches where I discovered sand in my clothing for months. This picture is from a beach, but not the Oregon beach. It is from Brighton, England where I paid a visit last September. It was a cool day; rain cleansed the air earlier in the morning. I wore warm clothing knowing that it was going to be a cool day.

Adding to the warmth of my clothing was the heat retained in these rocks on the beach. I liked these rocks. Not only were they warm, but when I stood up, the rocks remained where they were. I didn’t unknowingly take any back to London with me.

These rocks were also warm in my hands. As I study this picture, I see myself and others in God’s hands. Each rock is unique and in a unique position. One hung precariously in my hand while others were secure, buried underneath the rest of the rocks.

There are times when it feels like I’m ready to fall out of God’s hand and other times when I see myself nestled securely in his love.

“I place my life into your hands; you have redeemed me, Yahweh, faithful God.”
Psalm 31:5

The psalmist places himself in God’s hands because his covenant God had already redeemed him. He already knew the love of God and understood that God is faithful. But there is also a future connotation to God’s mercy. Since the Psalmist knows that God has rescued him, he can trust that God will rescue him in the future.

God has redeemed us; he rescued us from our fallen condition through Jesus. Based on what God has done for us, we can trust him when the enemy seeks to drown us once again in our sin, when he whispers in our ear, “Did God really say?”

You are in the God’s hand. He holds you tight even if it looks like you are about to fall out. He has rescued you in Jesus and will be there for you no matter what’s coming.

Copyright Family of Christ Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado