Dear Friends

“Let the beloved of the Lord rest secure in Him, for He shields him all day long, and the one the Lord loves rests between His shoulders.”

Deuteronomy 33 v 12.

What an affirmation of our Father’s love, care and overarching grace! In these strange times we are living through, what joy and strength it is to KNOW we are loved with an everlasting love. We have no idea when the Coronavirus will pass. We have no idea when we will be able to visit family again or be together with friends. We do not know when we will be able safely to reopen Kilmory or Lamlash churches and share in worship. 2020 is indeed an unforgettable year the world over.  As Christians, we are blessed to know that even in all the isolation of COVID-19 and throughout the ever-changing safety guidelines and restrictions, we are indeed blessed to know we can rest in the Saviour’s love.

We are

“Loved with everlasting love, led by grace that love to know;

Spirit, breathing from above, You have taught me it is so.

Oh, this full and perfect peace! Oh, this wonder all divine!

a love which cannot cease, I am His, and He is mine.”

We draw our strength, our joy, our patience from the Father who loves us. Just to be able to say every morning and every evening that I am His and He is mine lifts us above the present pandemic, lifts us to new heights of relationship with our Lord who loves us.

In Deuteronomy 33, Moses is blessing every tribe of Israel before he dies. He calls the leaders of each tribe and pronounces a blessing on them one by one. On Benjamin and his tribe, Moses pours out these words:

“Let the beloved of the Lord rest secure in Him, for He shields him all day long, and the one the Lord loves rests between His shoulders.”

I wonder what do you think of when you read this verse? For me an image comes to mind. It is that beautiful sight of the Shepherd leaving the 99 sheep safely in the fold and going out to search for the one that is missing and carrying that lost sheep home on His shoulders.

An old hymn captures the Shepherd’s love and faithfulness:

There were ninety and nine that safely lay in the shelter of the fold

but one was out on the hills away far off from the gates of gold;

on the mountains wild and bare, away from the tender Shepherd’s care.

Lord, thou hast here thy ninety and nine; are they not enough for Thee?”

But the Shepherd made answer: “This of mine has wandered away from me;

and although the road be rough and steep, I go to the desert to find my sheep.”

But none of the ransomed ever knew how deep were the waters crossed;

nor how dark was the night the Lord passed through

He found His sheep that was lost.

in the desert He heard its cry, sick and helpless and ready to die.

“Lord, whence are those blood drops all the way, that mark out the mountain’s track?” They were shed for one who had gone astray ere the Shepherd could bring him back.”

“Lord, whence are thy hands so rent and torn?”

They are pierced tonight by many a thorn.”

And all through the mountains, thunder riven, and up from the rocky steep,

there arose a glad cry to the gate of heaven,

Rejoice! I have found My sheep!”

and the angels echoed around the throne,

for the Lord brings back His own!”

Moses blessed the tribes of Israel and we are blessed too. We rest secure in the Father’s everlasting love. We are carried on the shoulders of the Lord of Lords! The King of Kings! We are His and He is ours forever and forever! There is nothing that can ever separate us from such life-changing and life-sustaining love!  Christians all over the world proclaim, I am His and He is mine now and forever!” Wow! What a blessing!

May you and those you love know the limitless love of God the Father, the amazing grace of Christ the Son and the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit working in you and through you to show the amazing love we share as lost sheep found, brought home, safe on the shoulders of the Good Shepherd, the crucified and risen Lord.

Lily

The Big Question

When will the church reopen?

The church is not a building! The church is the people who know and share the amazing love of God.

The building is closed but the church is open always!

• We are the church wherever we are.
• Stay safe.
• Stay responsible.
• Show love and care for one another and remember we are here for you.

You can use the prayer box on the church railings if you would like us to pray for you or someone you love.

We do not have a date yet for reopening the building. Watch this space!

We are checking government and Church of Scotland guidelines every day and we will reopen as soon as it is safe to do so.

Meanwhile you can contact Rev Lily on 01770 600047.