Fenced in by HOPE – Emily's Snippets

When I grew up, for the first 6 years, we had a yard surrounded by a picket fence. This was our world. A sand pile, our pet goat and my two brothers and I were content.

You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. Psalm 139:5 This is the verse Mom read to me once. The word ‘hem’ caught my attention. I often saw Mom hemming a new garment. Rolling the material with the silver flashing through the material with tiny stitches.

Then I read the Easy Read Version — You are all around me—in front of me and behind me. I feel your hand on my shoulder. This version widened my understanding. God is all around us. Walking and talking with God, and I feel his Presence near me. His love envelopes me and fences me in. He has a plan for me, and slowly but surely His plan comes to be in my heart and life. It is all for Him.

Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love. I Corinthians 13:13. These three things last forever beyond the end of time. The last shall be first…Love. Because God is love, and loves even me, I believe and have faith in Him, the Giver of Life. The third circle that intersects love and faith is hope. A hope that spans time and beyond.

How can this be? For the law was given through Moses, but God’s unfailing love and faithfulness came through Jesus Christ. John 1:17. Who is this God who loves us with a steadfast love. Who is this God whose voice alone, created the world we live in, the sun and the moon and the stars so high in the sky? The voice of the Lord echoes above the sea.
The God of glory thunders. The Lord thunders over the mighty sea. The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is majestic. Psalm 29:3-4.

I find joy in each flower that blooms, each bird that flies so high in the sky, the moon that shines in my window early in the morning. I rejoice at the sight of the glory of the rainbow for it tells me that God loves me. Each dawning of the day, I praise His Name. The Lord gives his people strength. The Lord blesses them with peace. Psalm 29:11.

In the evening dusk as the sun dips out of view, I say good night the One who loves each of us, and I am given His peace, and know I can trust Him. In many ways, He sent messengers during the day He sends messengers that let me know I am fenced in His hope. Though troubles surround me, I can sleep in peace as He watches over me. I may not know what the next day holds nor the next moment. Yet His Word speaks to me, from Psalm 4:8 – In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, O Lord, will keep me.

Let the whole world bless our God and loudly sing his praises. Our lives are in his hands, and he keeps our feet from stumbling. Isaiah 66:8-9. When I falter and stumble, I will look up and praise His name.

I find joy and thanksgiving in each of my children, grandchildren and great grandchildren and those who come after. Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him. Psalm 127:3

And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39.

How many reasons are there to love God? Ten Thousand reasons and more. Being loved by the Lover of my Soul, The giver of Peace and Joy. Just being His, in every moment, learning, constantly learning, He IS the Mighty God Who see others’ hearts with love and teaching me to love others the same way.

I look at my brother or sister in Christ, and I can know what God sees in them. To be forgiven when I sin and learn how to forgive others is another reason. To know that when I stray, God will chase after me and draw me into the fence of his love, forgiveness and hope.

Bless the Lord, oh my soul, Oh my soul
Worship His Holy name, Sing like never before
Oh my soul, I’ll worship Your Holy name.

You’re rich in love, And You’re slow to anger
Your name is great, And Your heart is kind
For all Your goodness, I will keep on singing
Ten thousand reasons, For my heart to find.

Myrin/Redman – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXDGE_lRI0E

Owe nothing to anyone—except for your obligation to love one another. If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill the requirements of God’s law. Romans 7:13:8

For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

Galatians 5:14 – You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head.

I Corinthians 13:7 –Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.

2 Thessalonians 2:16 – Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal comfort and a wonderful hope.

Comments? eacombs@att.net