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Seeds of the Kingdom

Our God Cares So Much!

by Martina van Namen

Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with My victorious right hand.
Isaiah 41:10, NLT

I arrived here in December 2015. Winter in Scotland! Cold, bare trees, some days everything covered in snow – but I felt God had landed me in a fairyland, His beautiful fairyland!

In March the days were lengthening. The long dark days weren’t so long anymore. The birds are always so busy here around Blairmore House – you could constantly hear them singing. Sometimes you could see them easily, at other times they camouflaged themselves so well.

One morning in early March, I was sitting having breakfast in our Team Room, just looking out of the big windows, and suddenly I saw two birds perched high up, right at the top of two trees – a blackbird and a blue tit. They sat opposite each other, on the thinnest and tiniest twigs, reaching up to the sky – right at the top of the tree, as if they were sitting on top of the world.

It’s much more difficult to spot the birds now because of the new foliage, but somewhere, nestled among the canopy of new green foliage, are many nests, where young are being hatched and nurtured. All snug and safe.

As I was looking out at those two birds that morning, a text popped into my mind. ‘Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow or reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?’

I thought about the wonder that these thin bare twigs were holding the birds up without bending, not even a centimetre. The twigs remained upright, even though the birds moved every now and then. They were strong enough to allow the birds to perch there for as long as they wanted to. And the birds knew it. They felt safe, secure and good, being able to see all around them, listening to other birds, to the calls of nature.

A picture of God holding us up in His hands, strong hands that don’t shake or tremble, came to mind. He holds us fast, close to His heart. Just like the birds, when we know we’re safe in Him, we’re secure. We can hear His voice singing over us, speaking to us, the still small voice that leads and guides us in His paths of righteousness.

I was prompted to look up verses in the Bible that speak about God’s hands holding us, and, in adition to today's verse, I just want to quote a few.


‘Yet I still belong to You; You hold my right hand’ (Psalm 73:23).

‘For I hold you by your right hand – I, the Lord your God. And I say to you, ‘Don’t be afraid. I am here to help you!’ (Isaiah 41:13).

‘I cling to you; Your strong right hand holds me securely' (Psalm 63:8).

I know that from now on, each time I see birds perched in the tops of tree,s I’ll be reminded of God’s promises that He cares so much for each of us, because He cares for the little birds. He made us to be in relationship with Him. He loves us so much, as we were created in His image, in His likeness. He loves His creation and man was the pinnacle of His creation.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for Your amazing love and care for us. You’re a good Father. Help us to trust You more and to believe deep within our spirit, soul and body that You constantly hold us with Your righteous right hand. You’ve engraved our names in the palm of Your hands and we’re completely safe in You. Nothing can separate us from Your love. Thank You for Your promises which never fail. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Martina van Namen was born in the Netherlands and migrated as a child to Australia. She was a Primary School teacher, teaching deaf children and English as a second language for refugee children. She did Flagship at Ellel Grange in 2015 and is currently on the team at Blairmore House, Scotland. She has a passion to see people grow deeper in their relationship with God and see them restored and healed into who He created them to be. Martina has three adult children and two grandchildren.

 

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