A Word of Encouragement from Elizabeth Rice Handford
When I was a child, I had a dream so vivid and so frightening that in the middle of the night I ran to my parents’ bedroom and woke Daddy up. It really was a bad dream; I can still describe it to you in shuddering detail, though it was many, many years ago. I dreamed our whole family had died and gone, not to Heaven and not to Hell, but to an indeterminate gray place of silence and blindness. My Daddy assured me that my dream was just a bad dream. It wasn’t true, and would never be true. Jesus had wrapped all of us in His strong, loving arms like a father shelters his baby. After all, Jesus had died for our sins so He could take us to Heaven to be with Him forever. I didn’t need to be frightened by a silly dream that meant nothing.
Every child has that deep need for a father who will love and protect his child from harm, whatever the danger. Not every child has such a father. Some grow up without ever experiencing the tender care of a father. Others grow up fearing most their father’s wrath. But no father, no matter how brave, how wise, can always protect his child from harm. In these perilous days no parent can guarantee a child’s safety from all the hazards of life. That’s why this Scripture is so precious to me:
Like as a father pities his children,
So the Lord pities them that fear Him.
“ For He knows our frame.
He remembers that we are dust. Psalm 103:13,14
The other day I faced a new hazard of growing old (and it was not the first!) I found myself thinking, “I wish I could talk to Daddy about this.” But God reminded me that I have a security far better than my father’s loving protection. I can never go beyond my Heavenly Father’s strong and loving care.
God knows every circumstance of my life. He cares. He understands my weaknesses. He remembers that He made me from the dust of the ground, so He knows how very vulnerable I am. He remembers this about me, and He is able, and eager, to meet every need, every longing, every anxiety of my heart. He knows my “frame.” He is my Heavenly Father. I became His child when He adopted me. Romans 8:15,16 (nlt) explains it clearly.
You have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves.
Instead, you received God’s Spirit when He adopted you as His own children.
Now we call Him “Abba,” “Father.”
For His Spirit joins with our spirit
To affirm that we are God’s children.
What an incredible encouragement this should be! When we trusted Jesus to be our Savior, God adopted us into His family. He is our wise and loving Daddy, our Papa. He has given us His unmeasured riches. So when doubts and fears assail you, when problems too great for you to handle wisely arise, turn to your Daddy, your Heavenly Father. Let Him give you the wisdom and protection you need. Trust Him.