Fear Not

Oil Painting | Print Size: 9×9 | 2021

When we have accepted Christ as our Savior, we are redeemed, transplanted into His family, under His loving protection and care. Just like a wilting flower, troubled by harsh conditions, storms and wind is rescued by a wise gardener and gently tended and thoughtfully cared for.

“For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the LORD that hath mercy on thee. O thou afflicted, tossed with tempest, and not comforted, behold, I will lay thy stones with fair colours, and lay thy foundations with sapphires. And I will make thy windows of agates, and thy gates of carbuncles, and all thy borders of pleasant stones. And all thy children shall be taught of the LORD; and great shall be the peace of thy children. In righteousness shalt thou be established:” Isaiah 54:10-14a

My Peace I give to you

Oil Painting | Print Size: 9×9 | 2021

Under His care, we are given a peace that is not of the world. And like spiritual flowers, rather than be watered by the world, we can be watered by the purity of The Word of God. The peace He gives is divine, not worldly, not temporary or fleeting. It is pure, beautiful and trustworthy.

“Great peace have they which love thy law:” Psalm 119:165a

“the LORD will bless his people with peace.” Psalm29:11b

“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.” Isaiah 26:3

Grace and Glory

Oil Painting | Print Size: 12×6 | 2021

Being His, and dwelling in His presence is far better than being anywhere else. We can flourish as happy, hopeful flowers of the Master Gardener. He is our Sun and Shield, He gives grace and glory to us. We can trust Him to withhold nothing from those who walk uprightly. Trusting in One Who will never fail us, truly BLESSED is the man who trusts in Him!!!

“For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness. For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly. O LORD of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee.” Psalm 84:10-12

ARTIST’S NOTES

In this series of paintings, we are the flowers, He is the Gardener. When we accept the redemption offered to us through His Son, we are transplanted into the family of God. We are now His child. His love and His dwelling place can now be our constant companion.

While we can choose to act like we are not His and live with our eyes focused on the world, if we will simply turn, look up and remember the truth, we will find that a world of peace, hope and protection is all around us and waiting for us to rest within.

As you view this series and read the words next to each painting, I pray that you will be filled with hope as you remember all that God has given you as His child. No matter the climate of the world, no matter the circumstances of life, no matter what temptations, frustrations, or troubles that may assail you …you have hope–because of HIM. It is easy to focus on the problems of this world, the needs of the moment or striving to fix ourselves, trying to hang fruit on our branches, or pushing ourselves into a manner of grace. But the more our eyes are fixated on troubles around us, the trouble of the hour or our imperfections …the less we see our Solution. And the more likely we are to stay in the landscape of worldly thinking. 

Looking up to God and spending dedicated time alone with Him in His Word and prayer daily, is a need of our soul. As we do this, it will help us to focus on what is true–the truth that gives real hope. The hope that is firm. Everlasting. John 15:4-5 says, “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except yet abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.” 

Hope. True hope. The kind that never truly disappoints. It is ours.