No one has ever seen God. But the unique One, who is himself God, is near to the Father’s heart. He has revealed God to us.  John 1:18. NLT

The expression John paints of Jesus being near to the Father’s heart is not new to us.  Today, we use the same expression to describe a feeling for our children.  ‘Near and dear to our heart’ implies that the relationship is not like most others.  Enco unters with them ~ we carry with us.  Words they speak to us ~ we hold dear.  Pain they express ~ we embrace and lift to the Father constantly in prayer.   

To be near to the Father’s heart literally means that Jesus was ‘in the bosom of the Father.’  A bosom is defined as three things. Yesterday, we highlighted the first.

1. The bosom is part of the upper body between both arms.  The heart, specifically.  I don’t know what you face today.  If you face scary unknowns, God has you near to His heart.

2. Secondly, the bosom is also the upper part of a loose garment where things are tucked away, carried with the traveler.  

God has also chosen to tuck you into His bosom for safe keeping.  No matter where He’s actively at work today, you are right there.  Just before my friend, Maryann, left for the Holy Land a few years ago, I lamented to her, “I wish you could tuck me in your suitcase.”  The sentiment is understood ~ If only I could see what you are going to see, experience what you will experience. God wants me to know that I stay with Him always, no matter where His Spirit goes.  When He has a heart for a remote region of the world, He will show me His passion for the people if I just ask.  When He is grieved by sin, I will feel His grief.  I am tucked into His cloak and it is wrapped around me securely. 

He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart. Isaiah 40: 11

Father, draw me into the stillness of You.  Amen