There are just some verses from the Holy Scriptures that we know, verses our pastor likes to call “pillow verses.”  When we enter stores to shop for a nice gift for a friend, we may turn down the pillow aisle and see a pillow with this paraphrase of the LORD’S words from the Bible:  Do not fear; God is with us.

We saw these words in action, and this came through the courageous actions of a four-year-old.  The evening meal was comprised with individuals seated around the dinner table, and as most understand, a child finishes quickly, desiring to ‘get down,’ to be excused from staying at the table.  This little guy was no different; his squirming revealed how he was ready to play.

Since the autumn equinox has come, the evening darkness comes sooner than during the summertime, so a child might be forced to play inside, for fear of going outside into the dark, but not this little guy.  We have a small flashlight that sits on the counter, ready for use.  With that light in hand, the barefoot little guy was ready to venture outside.

The descendants of Abraham, through the lineage of Jacob (Israel) were called from the remote areas, chosen by God to be his people.  These individuals are fondly referred to as the Israelites within the Bible, and the LORD encouraged them with these words:

• Maybe you have needed to walk through a dark time of life.
• Maybe you were forced to go courageously through a season of darkness.
• Maybe you had to walk forward, taking one step, followed by another, as you walked into the scary dark.

“Do not fear, for I am [the great I AM is] with you; . . .”

Sometimes it takes the heroic actions of a small child to remind us how the LORD promises to ALWAYS be with us—even in the dark times of life.

“Do not anxiously look about you, for I am [the Light of the world] your God.”

Oftentimes we find ourselves looking about, fearful of what lays outside what we can physically see.  To prove this so, we only need to image a child outside in the dark of the night with his flashlight in hand.  When he reached a spot in the yard, the flashlight went dark, and there he stood, surrounded and enveloped by only darkness.  Even when a noise reached his ears, still he remained calm, turning on the light and shining it toward the sound.  It was there in presence of the LIGHT that he was comforted.

“I will strengthen you, surely I will [Jehovah Jireh, our Provider] help you, . . .”

There are times when each person finds himself going through a season he would never choose if given a choice.  Seasons of Sickness, of Disease, of Financial Stress, of Grief, of Loneliness, of Despair, and of so many more.  It is there, when we are going through one of these seasons, we must lean in with all our might, recalling how Jehovah Jireh will provide all that we will ever need.

“Surely I will uphold you [GOD will] with My righteous right hand.”

• We are chosen from birth to be redeemed.
• We are not rejected from the moment God creates us because the Lord places within us an innate desire to come to know Him as our Savior.
• May we not fear & not look about us at the help found in this world.  It is the LORD who holds us securely with HIS RIGHTEOUS RIGHT HAND!

Matthew West sings a melody that points us to recall how “God’s Hand” provides every help we will EVER NEED.  Listen.  Be encouraged.  Remember.  & Learn:  The Lesson Taught (to us) By a 4-Year-Old.

May You & I Lift Our Hands in Praise to the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY.