Grace and peace to you from God our Father
and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
The text for today’s proclamation is from the Epistle for the day, Hebrews 13:1 - 8, with emphasis on these words;
"Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."
In the wake of the tragedy that our nation has just experienced and the panic that may ensue, I believe it is our children that show us what is needed most. I am reminded of many years ago when my oldest daughter was only one. When it came near the time for sleep she used to go through a rather elaborate ritual. Beginning with a much-needed bath. At least five different books being read, or the same one over, and
over. Then there was the hugs and kisses for whoever was preset, including guests and family, and then the wave good night. As we would enter the bedroom the same two things were asked for, "Blanket" and "Bear." Those are the two things that she needed to sleep. Without those two, well, trying to get her to sleep would be nearly impossible. A security blanket, something we adults may not fully appreciate, until now, but something we also need. Today we look at what is our security blanket or what is our teddy bear that we need to feel safe and its affect on our lives of faith.
What is your security blanket? What is it that makes you feel safe? What makes you feel O.K. in times that are difficult to understand? Is it your work? Some people would agree that work gets them through tough times. When difficult times happen; a loved one passes, or there are family problems, your wife or husband isn’t listening to you, or the kids are driving you crazy, then it’s off to work. Sometimes facing what is bothering us is not as easy as jumping in the car and going in early to work, or going outside to the garden, or downstairs to the woodshop. Work is a place that you can escape your problems, for a while.
But, what if the problems are at work? Where do you find security? Where do you go to feel safe and secure in what you are doing and who you are if your problems are at work? You go home. You surround yourself with family and friends. You live to hear yourself being told that you’re the best father or mother, husband or wife. You look for those people who will take you, as you are, no matter how bad that may be, and love you.
Christ looked for that, too. Remember what happened between His family and Him? "Someone told[Jesus], "Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you." He replied to him, "Who is My mother, and who are My brothers?"
Pointing to His disciples, He said, "Here are My mother and My brothers. For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother. (Mt 12:47 - 50)" Jesus stated that the disciples, those who did His Father’s will, were truly His family. Of course, the disciples fled away from Jesus when He needed them the most. Jesus’ self - selected family ran out on Him.
What is your security blanket? What is it that makes you feel safe? As a nation we have found security in our military might, our economic power, and the freedom we all hold so dear. However, it was only days ago that those were all shook to their foundations. All that we held as keeping us secure was called into question, everything from our nation’s military and intelligence, to our economic stability as many ran to the gas pumps in fear. Where was our security blanket? Where were we to turn when this tragedy made us all shake with fear mixed with anger. Where were we to turn to feel safe and secure in what we are and who we are in the face of this disaster?
It was President Bush who spoke to the true security blanket we all need in his address Tuesday night to a shocked nation, “Tonight I ask for your prayers for all those who grieve, for the children whose worlds have been shattered, for all whose sense of safety and security has been threatened. And I pray they will be comforted by a power greater than any of us, spoken through the ages in Psalm 23: “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil for You are with me. (Psalm 23:4)””
This reminds me of another Psalm, “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God. They are brought to their knees
and fall, but we rise up and stand firm. (Psalm 20:7 – 8)” We rise up and stand firm because we trust only in the true place for security.
The only place to find security, true and lasting, eternal security, is in God. Not to work, for work is only good for as long as we have it. Not to family and friends for they, too, pass away. Not to the things we have because they, too, are fleeting. Everything we turn to for security can be taken from us, except our God. We turn only to God for our security, and it is God who covers, comforts and
secures us all.
We hear God’s words of promise “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you. (Hebrews 13:6b)” Where should we find our security blanket? Where should we find that which will make us feel safe? In God alone. We are covered by His love, comforted by His presence and secured in the knowledge that "Those who know Your name will trust in You, for You, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek You. (Ps 56:3)" It is our God who covers us with His love, as the Psalmist states, "I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust. Surely He will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you will find refuge; His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. (Psalm 91:2 - 4)"
It is our God, Jesus Christ, who takes us all into His loving embrace and covers us with His love, a love that not only took Him to the cross for us, but a love that brings Him to be with us now and always. That is Christ’s promise of comfort, He says, "I am with you always, to the very end of the age. (Matthew 28:20)" Amen.
Now may the grace of God that surpasses all human understanding, be and abide with you now and forevermore. Amen.
