God's provision

I'm sitting here, at Le Chêne du Lac, on the last full day of our summer holiday here.  The owners' two goats are just a few yards away, eating at a hedge.  However, they have escaped from their own enclosure - intended to provide a safe environment - and are trying to eat the leaves through a chain-link fence.  This major obstacle means that, although they are managing to acquire some food, they are not getting a fraction of what is available for them if they were on the other side of the fence - where they should be!

I'm thinking that that is a picture of so many people.  Almighty God has set certain boundaries, in His written Word (the Bible).   These, while intended to provide us with a safe environment, are seen by many as restrictive.  Accordingly, they escape - throwing off the 'shackles' of morality, and ethics, and Godly principles.  They seek to provide for themselves.  They want to be "self-made" men and women.

The reality is that, like the goats, they are just making life difficult for themselves, while losing out on so much that their Creator has available for them.  They are trying to find satisfaction through a chain-link fence, when full provision has already been made for them within the sanctuary of God's enclosure.

So, where are you, today?  In a Godly environment that provides all of your needs (although not necessarily all of your wants!); or 'outside', in a 'freedom' of your own making - but losing out on what Father God has for you?   The choice is always yours!

Publicity!

Someone once said that there is no such thing as "bad publicity"!  I can only comment that yesterday's publicity re my (former!) Police Chaplaincy led to over 200 hits on this blog - a substantial increase on the previous highest daily record.

I have also had a higher than usual number of comments - thankfully, all supportive - and have had a number of folk contact me through my AllExperts page with, again, supportive comments and/or serious questions.  This is over and above those who were able to contact me via e-mail.  I am genuinely appreciative of each, and all.

Since the whole issue of my position within Strathclyde Police was triggered by the views that I had expressed, on this personal blog, on marriage - and my obvious support for that God-ordained institution - some may wish to check out what I published.  There is a little 'box' at the top left-hand-side of the blog, with the Blogspot logo to the right, and a magnifying glass icon to the right.  Typing 'marriage' into that box, and clicking on the magnifying glass, should bring up everything that I have posted on the subject!

However, while I am so very grateful for all of the support given by so many, it was when I went on to the blog, earlier today, that I wept with emotion.  For many months I have had a 'widget' that provides a 'Verse of the Day'.  As I looked at today's randomly (??!!) chosen words, I could scarcely believe my own eyes!  For the sake of any who reads this after midnight (when the verse will change), it was: “But He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold. My feet have closely followed His steps; I have kept to His way without turning aside.” -Job 23:10-11

Now, please don't get me wrong.  I am not for one split second classing anything that I have ever gone through in the same league as that dear Old Testament saint of God.  But what a wonderful word of what I am being bold enough to refer to as "Divine encouragement"!

It was on Wednesday evening, at the mid-week fellowship meeting, and before I was even aware that I was going to be a newsworthy item, that we sung those lovely words, written nearly three centuries ago by Joseph Hart :
How good is the God we adore; Our faithful, unchangeable Friend.  
Whose love is as great as His power; and knows neither measure nor end! 
 'Tis Jesus, the First and the Last; Whose Spirit will guide us safe home.  
We'll praise Him for all that is past, and trust Him for all that's to come!

He is, indeed, a good and faithful God - as my brothers and sisters in the truly persecuted church will gladly affirm.  I commend Him to all who are going through troubled times - and who are willing to confess to their own sinfulness, and accept His wonderful offer of salvation, full and free!

To Him be all of the praise, and all of the glory.