Are There Accidents?

Photo by: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Alvesgaspar

"Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father."   Matthew 10:29

Jesus said these words as he spoke to his disciples about the dangers of spreading the Word of God throughout the world. He said many would be killed for their testimony. But he also said not to worry for God is with us and nothing will happen to us or anyone else in the world without God's permission.

This is a comfort for those who have lost a loved one. Not a little bird dies without God knowing, caring and being there. If he loves the birds that much, Jesus said, he loves us more.

"So do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows."  verse 31

Here is a commentary on the verses:

And one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father: some copies add, "which is in heaven"; meaning, that one of them should not be shot, or be killed, without the knowledge, will, and pleasure of God. 

The design of Christ is to assert the doctrine of providence, as reaching to all creatures and things, even the most minute and worthless: he instances not in men, nor in the beasts of the field, but in the fowls of the air, and in those of the inferior sort, and more useless, in sparrows, yea in little sparrows; as the word may be rendered; whose price was so low, that two are obliged to be put together to fetch the least sum of money current: and yet the providence of God is concerned with each of these; so that not one of them is taken in a snare, or killed with a stone, or shot flying, or sitting, but by the will of God: from whence it may be strongly concluded, that nothing comes by chance; that there is no such thing as contingency with respect to God, though there is to men, with respect to second causes; that all things are firmly ordained by the purpose of God, and are wisely ordered by his providence.

 Our Lord's further view is, from this consideration, to animate his disciples to a free, open, and constant preaching of his Gospel, not regarding their lives for his sake; for since their heavenly Father, in his providence, takes care of the meanest, even of the most irrational creatures, so that the life of one of them is not taken away without his will, much more will he take care of them; nor could their valuable lives be lost without his will and pleasure. Much such a way of arguing is used by the Jews, who (f) say, , "a bird without God does not perish, much less a man"; or, as it is elsewhere (g) expressed, 

http://biblehub.com/commentaries/gill/matthew/10.htm

Psalm 17 - We are the Apple of God's Eye.

Psalm 17 - My Favorite Part.

I call on you, my God, for you will answer me;

turn your ear to me and hear my prayer.

Show me the wonders of your great love,

you who save by your right hand.

Keep me as the apple of your eye;

hide me in the shadow of your wings.

Since reading the Psalms I picture myself being under the shadow of His wings. I love that image. 

I consider my children and grandchildren as the apples of my eye. Being the apple of God's eye is a happy thought. I found some references and comments on what that means.

God says, "Keep my commands and you will live; guard my teachings as the apple of your eye." Proverbs 7:2

"... he who touches you touches the apple of his eye." Zechariah 2:8

Pulpit Commentary

The apple of his eye; literally, the mannikin (אִישׁון) of his eye, the pupil; so called because in it, as in a mirror, a person sees his own image reflected in miniature, or because, being the tenderest part of the eye, it is guarded as one would a babe. 

Verse 2. - Keep my commandments, and live (see on Proverbs 4:4). As the apple of thine eye; literally, the little man (ishon, diminutive of ish) of the eye; so called from the miniature reflection of objects seen in the pupil, specially of the person who looks into another's eye. It is a proverbial expression for anything particularly precious and liable to be injured unless guarded with scrupulous care.

The language is human. Israel is very precious to God; and they who vex and harass him are as they who hurt that which God prizes inestimably, and which a mere touch offends and injures. The word rendered "apple" is usually considered in mean "aperture," or "gate," the pupil being the entrance to the visual organ; but Dr. Wright regards it rather as a natural word of endearment, like the Latin, pupa, pupilla, indicating "a doll,"

Psalm 3 - God's Help.

Photo by, Charlieeleven

This is just my own words on what Psalm 3 means to me.

Lord, a lot of people are against me and my beliefs. They say, "God won't help her."

They don't realize you are like a shield around me. You are the one who is great, who I glory in, and you will lift up my head when it is down in sadness.

When I call out to you, you listen from your holy mountain in heaven. I lay down and sleep and wake in safety because you were watching over me.

I'm not afraid of thousands of enemies or those who would harm me even if they surround me. I trust you no matter what happens.

Rescue me, O God from wicked people. Judge them and stop them.

If I have victory, it all comes from you. May your blessing rest on all your people.

Chariots of Fire.

When Elisha was prophet in Israel, he used to tell his king the plans of the enemy, King of Aram. This king wondered how the king of Israel always knew what he was going to do. His advisors told him it was because of Elisha. So the king of Aram sent soldiers to kill Elisha. 

"When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. "Oh no, my lord! What shall we do?" the servant asked. "Don't be afraid," the prophet answered. "Those who are with us are more than those who are with them." And Elisha prayed, "Open his eyes, LORD, so that he may see." Then the LORD opened the servant's eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha."  2Kings 6:15-17

Elisha knew that God surrounded them. This is also true for us. God surrounds us every day with his chariots of fire. Nothing can touch us without his permission. I wish I always had the eyes of Elisha, who had such a knowledge of and faith in God that he was not afraid. 

There is a spiritual warfare which human eyes cannot see. Satan and his angels are against us; God and his army of angels are for us. But, as Elisha said, "Those who are with us are more than those who are with them."

Paul wrote, "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." Ephesians 6:12

Jesus said to Peter, “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” Luke 22:31,32

When we are going through hard times, let us remember that chariots of fire surround us.