SEARCHING FOR SECURITY

John 10:27-29

“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.  I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.   My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.”

We have locks on our homes and locks on our cars.  We carefully work and save and plan for the future.  We like to think that we have things under control and that we are safe and our families are secure.  But, if we are honest, we know that it simply isn’t true; at least not in the physical sense.  Not too long ago a lady was driving through a newly constructed tunnel when a huge block of concrete fell from the ceiling and crushed her car with her in it.  Her feeling of security was just that – a feeling.  My wife told me a story one morning about a lady whose husband got into the car to run an errand and never returned.  His vehicle and remains were not found until 9 years later.  I am sure he started out with as much a sense of security that day nine years ago as he did any other day. 

The reality is that there are no guarantees in this world.  There is no place of assured safety.  That is why, if we are going to have any real peace of mind and heart, we have to recognize that every day we have in the here and now is a gift from God and we have to shift our focus beyond the problems and potentials of this world and time.  In John 10 Jesus speaks of eternal life.  And the promise to His sheep is that they will never perish.  The pledge to those who hear and follow Jesus is that we will find real security in the loving hands of our God and Savior.  “My Father, who has given them to me,” Jesus says, “is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.”  Don’t forget that real “walking faith” is based, not on what is seen, but on what is unseen; not on our plans and our effort, but on the power and provision of Almighty God. 

--- Pastor Keith Andrews