As we get closer to Christmas, I can’t help but think more and more of all the things that God has done for me. As I mentioned in my last post. Each Friday, for the next few weeks, I will be talking about a gift that God has given us. At times we may not see these gifts or even acknowledge them. However, God has blessed us with so much. I want to take this time to help you see these gifts.

            The second gift that I want to talk about is the gift of security. Now, this gift touches many aspects of our lives. It touches our finances, our health, our safety, our prayers, our salvation, and even our very lives. We have the security that all that we need will be provided to us by the one true God. It is for this reason that Jesus Himself told us not to worry. By keeping our faith in Him, everything we need will be provided for us.

“Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’  For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” – Matthew 6:25-34

            We can rest easy knowing that God almighty is protecting us and taking care of us. We do not need to fear the things of this world because He is always with us. In those times when you feel weak, He can make you stronger. Whenever you are sick, He can heal you. I believe in a God who still performs miracles.

“Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” – Isaiah 41:10

            I believe in a God who answers prayers. At times we may feel like He is not listening, but He is. We need to learn to not only be patient but to also learn how to listen to Him. God’s timing is perfect and even unanswered prayers are for our benefit. We may not realize that that thing we are asking for is either not for us or that it’s just not the time for it. By learning to wait on Him and by seeking His will, we begin to see Him working in our daily lives. We can feel secure that He does what is best for us.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” – Jeremiah 29:11

            We don’t need to worry about disappointing God. The truth is we are human. We are not perfect. However, Jesus loved us so much that He gave his life for us so that we may be saved. We cannot lose our salvation because we made a mistake. Once we truly accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we are adopted into His kingdom. We are recognized as a child of Christ. This does not mean that we can sin all we want with no consequences. However, if we come to Him with repentance, He will forgive us. We may still have to deal with the consequences of our actions, but God will give us the strength to face them.

“In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.” – Ephesians 1:13-14

            If for some reason you can’t see His works in your life then take into account your very life. We can go to sleep every night securely knowing that we will wake up tomorrow. Out of all the things we can feel secure about, I can’t help but feel like people take this one for granted. To most, waking up means having to do the same thing over and over again. The way I see it is as a new opportunity to make this day even better than the last. And that is a gift that only God can give. He is giving us another chance to make this day a better one.

“Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.” – 2 Corinthians 2:16-18

            Take heart in His security. By trusting in God we can live our lives free from fear, free from worries, free from burden. In every way God is good. I know that I say this a lot, but God loves you. I say this all the time because it is true. The love God has shown me has changed me in more ways than one. I pray that you see His love in your life and that He changes your life for the better.

“But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You; Let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them; Let those also who love Your name Be joyful in You. For You, O Lord, will bless the righteous; With favor You will surround him as with a shield.” – Psalm 5:11-12