Louise Gevers

“As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him. For who is God besides the LORD? And who is the Rock except our God?”

2 Samuel 22:31-32

“Flawless'' isn't a commonly used word but some time ago, a well-known jewellery store used to advertise flawless diamond rings. In reality, diamonds are never flawless because of nature’s extreme and unstable conditions of heat and pressure that form them. Even the ones that appear to be beautifully clear to the naked eye actually have imperfections that can be seen under magnification. Things aren't always as they seem.

Perhaps we’re not unlike diamonds. No matter how polished we appear on the outside, it’s inevitable that everyone has been flawed to some extent by life experiences, often inherited from unstable, pressurised conditions. Like Adam and Eve, we suffer the effects of our own wilfulness and even allow it to affect our world, putting it under constant pressure. The realities of global warming and fears, brought by diseases, conflict and poverty, are daily reminders of our imperfect condition. Deep down we know we need help. Today, let us look at what is perfect.

Our verse tells us that God “is a shield for all who take refuge in Him”. His word is flawless, and His integrity shields us because we can trust its truth. When we’re in need we can find Him in the pages of His Word and, if we are willing, His Spirit will speak to us, instruct us and lead us wisely and kindly through it, with the power to transform our thinking, our hearts, and our lives.

The more we engage with the Bible, the more we become aware of how His great power, as Creator of the Universe, is balanced with His perfect love for us, as our Heavenly Father. This feeds our hope and allows it to grow exponentially. I can still remember the exhilaration I felt the day I realised. God is perfect; there is nothing too hard for Him! The worth of His perfect blessings in our imperfect lives is priceless; they are a true gift because of who He is.

This month of Easter is a perfect time to reflect on God’s perfect ways and to reach out to Him from where we are in our lives. He has promised: “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you.” (Jeremiah 29:13-14)

Prayer: Precious Father God, we stand in awe of Your majesty and might. We delight in Your perfect ways and flawless Word. Help us to grow more and more in our love for Your Word and more and in appreciation of Your love for us, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen