closer than your next breath

a verse or two

"For I am certain that nothing can separate us from his love: neither death nor life, neither angels nor other heavenly rulers or powers, neither the present nor the future, neither the world above nor the world below—there is nothing in all creation that will ever be able to separate us from the love of God which is ours through Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8: 38—39

A Prayer of Confidence—Psalm 16.

1 Protect me, O God;
   I trust in you for safety.
2 I say to the Lord, You are my Lord;
   all the good things I have come from you.
3 How excellent are the Lord's faithful people!
   My greatest pleasure is to be with them.
4 Those who rush to other gods
   bring many troubles on themselves.
   I will not take part in their sacrifices;
   I will not worship their gods.
5 You, Lord, are all I have,
   and you give me all I need;
   my future is in your hands.
6 How wonderful are your gifts to me;
   how good they are!
7 I praise the Lord, because he guides me,
   and in the night my conscience warns me.
8 I am always aware of the Lord's presence;
   he is near, and nothing can shake me.
9 And so I am thankful and glad,
   and I feel completely secure,
10 because you protect me from the power of death.
   I have served you faithfully,
   and you will not abandon me to the world of the dead.
11 You will show me the path that leads to life;
   your presence fills me with joy
   and brings me pleasure forever. 

Spiritual Walk and Musings: No fear of Sheol. 

At the time of David when Psalm 16 was written the common thought was that at death people went down to Sheol, to the world of the dead. A half-life kind of shadowy existence, like being in a swamp, never again able to fully enjoy the good of this life. A place where they were "removed from the light of God".

Today some scholars think Psalm 16 was written by a sick person who recovered and was glad they didn’t do down to Sheol—this tends to be the thinking of scholars who are biased against belief in the resurrection. As part of their argument they say belief in resurrection was not Jewish thinking until around 200 years before Christ. Other scholars disagree saying the idea of resurrection was common much earlier—they point to various Psalms as proof. For example Ps16 was written by someone dying—who because of their own deep relationship with God, they knew even in death they would not be separated from God and hence they had no fear of Sheol—God would save them and be with them and they with God.

This is a truth for us—in the now be encouraged to walk close with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  

                Be they not strangers to you;
                          but may you know them 
                                    closer than your next breath. 

Something to do: God is good.

This spring, when looking at the flower which come from the dead looking branch, the new plant or flower that comes from the dead looking seed or bulb – see the new life, in a different form – and know that God is good.

To Ponder and Pray: a prayer from Palm 73.

23 Yet I am always with you;
   you hold me by my right hand.
24 You guide me with your counsel,
   and afterward you will take me into glory.
25 Whom have I in heaven but you?
   And earth has nothing I desire besides you.
26 My flesh and my heart may fail,
   but God is the strength of my heart
   and my portion forever.