Reach

I love this picture because Nathan is reaching for his daddy. Not because he needs anything in particular, not because he is hurting, but because he loves him.

Last Night when I took this picture I couldn't help but think about how much it demonstrates how we should be reaching for our heavenly father. The more I thought about it, the more I asked myself, "when do I reach for my heavenly father?" Do I only reach when I need something? Don't get me wrong, it is definitely not wrong to reach for him when we need something, but do I ever reach for him, just because I love him? It is so easy to reach for him when we are struggling. But once he carries us through the storm, do we continue to reach for him, or do we wait until the next storm comes along?

I decided to look up how many time the word reach was in the bible, and to my surprise, it is in there 157 times!!! WOW! I was impressed. The more I searched, the more I realized that most of the verses involving the word reach were used in the way that Jesus is reaching for us, ALWAYS! All we have to do is lift up our hands and reach to him, he is waiting. In all times of our lives, whether we are happy, sad, disappointed, excited, etc., we need to reach to him, because he is waiting for us to. Some of my favorite were:


"He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters."
Psalm 18:16


"Then the LORD reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, "Now, I have put my words in your mouth." Jeremiah 1:9


"Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. "I am willing," he said. "Be clean!" Immediately he was cured of his leprosy." Matthew 8:3


"God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us." Acts 17:27


"Did the word of God originate with you? Or are you the only people it has reached?"
1 Corinthians 14:36


This next verse was probably my favorite, and it was written three different times in the bible!! Must be pretty important!!



"Your love, O LORD, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies." Psalm 36:5


"For great is your love, reaching to the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies."
Psalm 57:10


"For great is your love, higher than the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies."
Psalm 108:4


I couldn't help but think of the third day song: Your Love Oh Lord
http://www.tangle.com/view_video?viewkey=6db377023983b564bb9a&sp=0


This concept is an easy one, but one that we seem to forget when times are going good for us. My prayer today is that I reach for him in all areas of my life. In hard times, I will reach for him to give me strength, comfort, encouragement, and so much more. In good times, I will reach for him to thank him for all that he has done and praise his name. I will reach for him so that I stay completed focused on him. Thank you Lord for all you do, and all the times you reach for me.