Pause for thought from Rev. Douglas Moore.
Learning to walk
I can remember when our two boys were learning to walk. They would pull themselves up using a bit of furniture and take a wee step or two. One of us would be there with arms outstretched to encourage them to walk towards us. I can remember them being held up by their hands and praised their efforts. Eventually they got there. I can remember to this day when they went to get outdoor shoes. Our eldest in particular put them on and took his first steps. Well, he was like a deep sea diver or a spaceman the way he walked and he kept looking at these strange things on his feet. Great memories!
God our heavenly Father is like a parent with a child. He "taught Israel how to walk." We read in the book of Hosea 11:3 (p880 in the pew bible), "Yet I was the one who taught Israel to walk." He took His children along and "drew them to me with affection and love." (v4)
Our Heavenly Father stands before us with outstretched arms, encouraging us towards holiness, eager to catch us when we stumble. He picks us up when we fall. He is never discouraged by our progress, nor will He ever give up. When we find things difficult, then He is patient and kind and will never give up on us.
George McDonald put it this way:"God will help us when we cannot walk, and He will help us when we find it hard to walk, but he cannot help us if we will not walk."
Even though we fall, we must try again. Our Father holds us by our hand.
A five second prayer: God help us to walk in the light of today and the hope of tomorrow.
I can remember when our two boys were learning to walk. They would pull themselves up using a bit of furniture and take a wee step or two. One of us would be there with arms outstretched to encourage them to walk towards us. I can remember them being held up by their hands and praised their efforts. Eventually they got there. I can remember to this day when they went to get outdoor shoes. Our eldest in particular put them on and took his first steps. Well, he was like a deep sea diver or a spaceman the way he walked and he kept looking at these strange things on his feet. Great memories!
God our heavenly Father is like a parent with a child. He "taught Israel how to walk." We read in the book of Hosea 11:3 (p880 in the pew bible), "Yet I was the one who taught Israel to walk." He took His children along and "drew them to me with affection and love." (v4)
Our Heavenly Father stands before us with outstretched arms, encouraging us towards holiness, eager to catch us when we stumble. He picks us up when we fall. He is never discouraged by our progress, nor will He ever give up. When we find things difficult, then He is patient and kind and will never give up on us.
George McDonald put it this way:"God will help us when we cannot walk, and He will help us when we find it hard to walk, but he cannot help us if we will not walk."
Even though we fall, we must try again. Our Father holds us by our hand.
A five second prayer: God help us to walk in the light of today and the hope of tomorrow.
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