“Safe And Sound”
May 19, 2017
We had a beautiful day yesterday to make our chaplain visits in eastern Lancaster County and we saw lots of folks out.
“Safe And Sound”
“Your brother has come, “he replied, “and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound” (Luke 15:27).
The more that I love Him , More joy He bestows
Each day is like heaven my heart overflows
The longer I serve Him, the sweeter He grows
Most people familiar with the English language understand the meaning of the phrase, “safe and sound.” One night I returned from an out of town trip very late and quietly went to bed where Brooksyne was sleeping soundly. As I snuggled up beside her around 3:00 AM she mumbled in her half asleep voice, “Safe and sound?” I was still a bit wound up and wasn’t quite ready to nod off so I thought about the expression for awhile and the blessing of being safe and sound. But before I finally fell asleep I began to rejoice in my spirit that I am also “saved and sound.”
It’s likely the phrase “safe and sound” originated from its use here in the daily text in the King James Bible, which was translated over 400 years ago. Of course it refers to the return of the prodigal son. It’s interesting that all the standard Bible translations I typically study from use this exact phrase.
Today let us also consider the blessing of being saved and sound.
Saved. Indescribable peace fills the heart when a believer has the assurance of salvation. Many years ago I memorized this selection from Scripture, “But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by His grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life” (Titus 3:3-7).
As an old hymn states:
I’m saved to new life sublime,
life now is sweet and my joy is complete
for I’m saved, saved, saved!”
Sound. Our greatest aspiration should to be considered sound in God’s reckoning, not man’s and that is altogether different! The apostle Paul wrote, “Yet we do speak wisdom among those who are mature; a wisdom, however, not of this age nor of the rulers of this age, who are passing away” (1 Corinthians 2:6).
Let us commit to:
“Having a sound mind” – “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7).
“Holding fast to sound teaching” – “What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 1:13).
“Enduring sound doctrine” – “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine” (2 Timothy 4:3).
“Being sound in the faith” – “Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith” (Titus 1:13).
The word translated “sound” means to “to have sound health, to be well in body; to be uncorrupt (true in doctrine): — be in health, be safe and sound, be whole(-some).
It’s interesting to me that the word “sound” is used only twelve times in the Scriptures and nine of them are in the Pastoral Epistles. Interesting also that the expression “safe and sound” in our daily text translates the same identical word in the Greek.
Let us thank God that we are saved and sound!
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily prayer: Father, nothing brings abiding peace more than knowing that we are saved from the penalty of sin and that we are firmly grounded in Your holy precepts. It makes us feel safe in a struggling world that where most continue to search for knowledge from all the wrong sources. We are sound in our outlook when we align our understanding and convictions with the teachings of Christ, His disciples and the prophets of old, for we speak wisdom among those who are mature; a wisdom, however, not of this age nor from the authority of this world that changes from year to year. Our wisdom is based upon our knowledge and understanding of You, our eternal Father, the One who changes not. In You we are saved and we are sound. Praise Your matchless, holy name. Amen.
Elvin just celebrated his 55th work anniversary at the same location beginning his work career at 20 years of age. You won’t find to many people these days that have worked at the same place for 55 years!
Temps reached the 90’s today so supervisors provided the employees with plenty of water and gatorade to keep hydrated and cooled down.
We always enjoy seeing the window open in the back of the buggy and the kids looking back, often waving at cars as they pass.
We had to wait to pass this farmer hauling a rather smelly load of you know what.
This evening we will be going out to dinner then to a Gospel Music hymn sing featuring several gospel singing groups we enjoy; Greater Vision, Mark Trammel Quartet and the Jim Brady Trio so we will share several of their songs with this message. This is an anniversary gift for our 41st anniversary we celebrated last week!
“The Longer I Serve Him” Video Greater Vision
“Too Much To Gain To Lose” Video Mark Trammell Trio
“Homesick For Heaven” Video Jim Brady Trio
Send a message to Stephen & Brooksyne
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