John 6:19b-20 – They were terrified, but he called out, "It is I, do not be afraid." (NEB)

Since childhood, I have always wanted to put off the moment when I must say goodbye to the day and climb into bed. As a result, I have come to rely on music to help me drift off. A short time ago, I bought a new player, which enables me to play a favourite CD as I climb into bed, with the player set to turn itself off after a given time. The first night I used it, all went well — at first. I turned off the light in my room, and, listening to the beautiful music, turned to slip into bed. Just as I did so, I was momentarily alarmed to see something I had never seen before — a great black shadow reaching up the wall and over the ceiling of my room! My alarm was momentary, because I soon realized that the shadow was my own! There was just enough light from the new CD player to cast a shadow on the darkened wall.

As I settled to rest, I thought of some of the other shadows which from time to time have flitted across my life. All have been momentary alarms whose source soon turned out to be innocent. Yet I had often let these fears add a few more grey hairs to those already showing up among the others whose number God alone can count. As I look back on my life, I remember with relief how often God has kept me safe through times which could have been hair-raising!

How wonderful a Saviour! What a relief to walk through life with such a friend and protector. We rejoice in the words of a favourite hymn:

Give to the winds thy fears;
Hope, and be undismayed;
God hears thy sighs and counts thy tears;
God shall lift up thy head.
(Paul Gerhardt; trans. by John Wesley)

Prayer: Lord Jesus, we are so glad to know You as our friend. Be with us always so that, being unafraid, we may try to do great things for You. Amen.

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