Rest in God's Covenant Arms

There’s an old book in my hall closet from the 50’s. Inside the pages have been glued old cartoons, old photos and old sayings. My mother and I worked on “making” a book of things I loved when I was a very little girl.  I had forgotten all about it.  We went through magazines together along with the Sears catalog (remember that?) and glued those cut outs on each page. Because of the wonderful white glue of childhood they have remained totally stuck to those pages. It’s a wonderful reminder of my mother’s love in taking time to do this craft with me. I probably wasn’t very still and was easily distracted and did a lot of giggling, but the project went on for more than a day. In fact it was daily for months.

I always loved using scissors and making cutouts. From paper dolls to favorite toys in the catalog I was always cutting things out. I remember pasting some things to furniture which didn’t seem to my mother to be too “artistic” but I rarely heard a harsh voice from her. Generally she just helped clean up my messes and mistakes and concentrated on the pasting book.  We referred back to that book often through the years.

Sometimes you have to cut things out in order to put something in its place. Sometimes we need help cleaning up the messes and mistakes. Sometimes we have to cut reminders out of our memories, our life, our Bibles to remind us where we have been and where we are going.

I find I still like to cut things out, but now I use the computer and print out quotes and Scriptures, especially when I’m dealing with something – just to remind me of who I am, whose I am and where I am.

You may have felt you were cut out of the good life.  You may have been cut down by those you trusted and admired. You might have gotten cut off in mid-stream while trying to express yourself.  People can be self-centered and careless with their words and actions. You once felt real fellowship but now you feel left alone, uncared for and dismissed.

God understands that you aren’t certain where you fit in. He understands your desire to be appreciated and admired. He promises you in His Word that you will never be cut out, cut down or cut off by Him. You are more than a paper doll and He is the One who created you and clothed you with dignity and love. Your picture is always before Him and your heart is always held securely by His all reaching hand. Even if you mess up, make mistakes, feel unworthy He is keeping you securely pasted to Himself.

Oh beloved, run to the Lord this morning and rest in His covenant arms. He is your Redeemer and when you gave your heart to Him He placed your name engraved in His hand and no man can erase it. You are loved forever and cared for eternally and that’s all that really matters.

Isaiah 49:16 Behold, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands; Your walls are continually before Me.

1 Thessalonians 1:4 We know, dear brothers and sisters, that God loves you and has chosen you to be His own people.

Psalm 138:8 The Lord will accomplish what concerns me; Your lovingkindness, O Lord, is everlasting; Do not forsake the works of Your hands.

Isaiah 51:11 So the ransomed of the Lord will return And come with joyful shouting to Zion, And everlasting joy will be on their heads. They will obtain gladness and joy, And sorrow and sighing will flee away.