If you'd like to watch, click on Pastor Squatch Musings!

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

Matthew 5:3, ESV

In life, it is easy to unwittingly cling to something that is not God when things are going well. We can forget our need for forgiveness or the blessings that Jesus gave to us as we go about our daily patterns without a thought about God, until something negative happens. Financial crisis, sickness, or some other difficult loss brings us to a point of chaos, and the world we have created crumbles away. As we realize our own true poverty, we realize that we have nothing to cling to besides our Lord. As we see the weakness of all of our concepts of security and happiness, we will find the strength of our Savior and the unfailing love of God, who never turns away from those who are His own. In the waters of Baptism, we are claimed by God, and as we accept His gift and grow in His love, we may find the security within Him which He desires for us to know. We have nothing to offer God but our broken and contrite souls, but He gives us everything and brings us peace.

Let us pray. I thank you, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, your dear Son, that you have kept me this night from all harm and danger, and I ask you to protect me this day also from sin and every evil, that in all I do today, I may please you. For into your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all that is mine. Let your holy angel watch over me, that the wicked foe have no power over me. Amen.