In him
by Darren Pope
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The Lord will be a refuge for his people, a stronghold for the people of Israel. In that day the mountains will drip new wine, and the hills will flow with milk (Joel 16b,18a).
Ever tucked something special away in a safe place and needed it sometime later, but you just couldn’t remember where it was? No doubt, it was somewhere safe! It feels so good when you replay the video in your head, and it helps you remember what you did, why you did it and where your safe place is.
Dripping with new wine, flowing with milk and running with water. These are powerful images of a reviving and refreshing change, sustaining a vibrant life after a time of deep and crusty dryness. It’s a picture of a positive hope-filled future. That’s God’s work for us. He is our safe place. We can safely tuck away our thoughts, actions and words with him. Through his unconditional love, our coming king keeps our deep, dark stuff in the safe place of his heart.
The best bit is that when he takes on our ugly stuff, it is forgotten forever! Each day, and again this Advent, because our sin is hidden in him, we are freely and openly welcomed to savour fresh milk, commune in grace through new wine, and receive his baptismal spirit of new life through refreshing water.
Our sin is gone. Our hope is in him.
We pray:
Lord of love, you know my dark and ugly stuff. Thank you for taking it and tucking it away in your heart. Thank you for your nourishment today. Thank you for being my personal hope for tomorrow. I am safe in you. Amen.
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