An art that she passed along to many before she became a quilter was her baby afghans. Afghan making was passed down to her from my grandma. She, too, was talented with her hooks and needles. Mom showed up each time a baby was born into the family with a soft, beautiful, perfectly sized baby afghan. Precious. She took it to another level when she joined my mother's ministry, MOPS (Mother's of Preschoolers). She committed, not only her time to caring for the babies in the nursery once a month, but she donated a baby afghan to each of the new babies born into our group! I can't begin to guess how many of her creations covered those new little blessings during her four years of service. It's been reported to me that these blankies have become several children's security blankets.
We all have our "security blanket" in some earthly treasure. We certainly may have moved on from our "blankie." Or not. But more than likely there has become a replacement. Is it money, career, spouse, schedule, friends, house, medication, or food? There's a multitude of earthly things that can make us feel secure. But, do they really? Do they completely satisfy our need to feel comfort and peace?
In this next verse of thanks, the psalmist reveals the reality of our comfort, our peace, our true security:
"that my heart may sing to you and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever." Psalm 30:12
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary, though a bit old fashioned in vocabulary, hits it right on the nail head with the truth about security:
When things are well with us, we are very apt to think that they will always be so. When we see our mistake, it becomes us to think with shame upon our carnal security as our folly. If God hide his face, a good man is troubled, though no other calamity befal him. But if God, in wisdom and justice, turn from us, it will be the greatest folly if we turn from him. No; let us learn to pray in the dark. The sanctified spirit, which returns to God, shall praise him, shall be still praising him; but the services of God's house cannot be performed by the dust; it cannot praise him; there is none of that device or working in the grave, for it is the land of silence. We ask aright for life, when we do so that we may live to praise him. In due time God delivered the psalmist out of his troubles. Our tongue is our glory, and never more so than when employed in praising God. He would persevere to the end in praise, hoping that he should shortly be where this would be the everlasting work. But let all beware of carnal security. Neither outward prosperity, nor inward peace, here, are sure and lasting. The Lord, in his favour, has fixed the believer's safety firm as the deep-rooted mountains, but he must expect to meet with temptations and afflictions. When we grow careless, we fall into sin, the Lord hides his face, our comforts droop, and troubles assail us.
This portion from my devotional, Jesus Calling, tells us the truth we need to know about our real security:
You can feel secure, even in the midst of cataclysmic changes, through awareness of My continual Presence. The One who never leaves you is the same One who never changes: I am the same yesterday, today, and forever. As you release more and more things into My care, remember that I never let go of your hand. Herein lies your security, which no one and no circumstance can take from you.
"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." Hebrews 13:8
When we find ourselves feeling overwhelmed with insecurity, more than likely we are clinging to the wrong blanket. Jesus is the only source of true security. He promises to never leave us, to never let go of our hand, to see us through until His work is done in us, and to take us to His Father in heaven. In heaven. Our glorious reward for trusting in Him and accepting His free and gracious gift of everlasting life. In heaven, where we can praise and thank Him forever, face to face! Hallelujah!
"And be thankful." Colossians 3:15b
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