Vulnerability

For he delivers the needy when he calls, the poor and him who has no helper. He has pity on the weak and the needy, and saves the lives of the needy. From oppression and violence he redeems their life, and precious is their blood in his sight. (Psalm 72:12-14 ESV).

As we continue in our Lenten series, we look today at protection and vulnerability. Most of us prefer a place of obvious protection to clearly being vulnerable. Moses was in a basket floating among the reeds. If the basket had a leak, he could have drowned. A fish, a bird, or an Egyptian could have tipped it over and the vulnerable baby Moses could have died. Had a crocodile had been swimming near Moses easily could have been the happy meal in a picnic basket. Dangers abound. Death is just a ripple of water away. Moses was hidden there by brave women, including his mother, to protect him from the Pharaoh who was the most powerful man around; and, he was also a man who wanted Moses dead. I should remind you that it was not Pharaoh’s choice. It was always God’s choice. He had other plans for Moses. It is interesting that these plans had their genesis in humble beginnings. And, that brings us to our principle for today. Vulnerability is the kind of environment in which humility is born. Vulnerability, that sense of human frailty, can turn someone into a worrywart who sees the world out of control. Or it can be powerful instrument in the hand of God to build trust in Him. Vulnerability says you have nothing with which to protect yourself. Depending on God is your only real option. God’s message to each of us is to be still. He’s got the situation under control. Be Still. Our life is always in his hands whether you’re feeling vulnerable or not. Be Still and Know that I AM God. The Scripture reading today is clear. He does bring deliverance to each of us. Not one of us will fail to reach our eternal destination of peace and happiness in heaven. Even when the route we are asked to take seems illogical, like Moses in the bulrushes, we can be sure that God’s plan and purpose for us is good. Every circumstance and experience is designed by our heavenly Father to bring about that sole purpose of making us “perfect, complete, and lacking in nothing” (cf. James 1:4). As you continue moving through this Lenten season, reflect on the great gift of God’s grace toward you, even when you seemed furtherest away from his will. His love does indeed conquer every enemy of you peace.