Thoughts for another day
April 22, 2010
Today's verse: Ps. 27:3. Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)
I’ve said it many times and shall say it again: To be calm in the midst of a storm is difficult, extremely difficult. To hold a straight face in adversity requires a herculean effort and few are the people able to do it. No matter how much faith we profess, in the middle of a terrible trial, it can all be torn to shreds for sometimes the internal turmoil is too much for even the stoutest to bear.
Reading the account of the disciples caught in a storm at sea and seeing their clamor despite having Jesus in their midst, we laugh at their behavior saying ‘how could they be so doubtful, fearing so much even though they’d seen Jesus do such wonderful work before their very eyes?’ Yet, I’m sure if we were in their stead, we’d do the same thing; for no matter how many miracles we see before our eyes, we still doubt when caught in a difficult situation the very next day! But there’re a few people who stand steadfast in trouble; who’re so confident of God that no matter the size of the tornado, they’re able to stay calm. It is said, the mark of a man close to God is in his being able to sleep in the biggest storm! Are we able to do that?
Today’s verse is a solemn reminder for us of such an attitude for a Christian. Carefully read the words and see the solid trust shown by the psalmist in God. See David’s belief in God, first in being certain He is there and second, that He will work for him. Jesus praised those who had such terrific faith and worked their miracles immediately because God loves such people who steadfastly believe Him to be their Provider, their Sustainer, their Defender and their God. When a human shows such faith, he endears himself to God and God stretches forth His mighty arm in his favor. So no matter what your situation, no matter how deep your sorrow, just hold on to that faith be it not mustard sized yet, and your deliverance will come. Even as I write this, I tell you, that’s my experience today; and I must say, painful as it is, I know God is just around the corner…I can feel Him.
Thoughts for another day
April 21, 2010
Today's verse: 1 Ch. 28:9. And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)
David lived a life pleasing to the Lord. Though he sinned, he always came back to Him, repenting for his sin. His heart was perfect in faithfulness to the Lord, even if at times there were cracks in it. God understands that men are to fall and what pleases the Almighty is when a man repents, turns back and seeks Him; and He is quick to forgive. David had learnt his lessons in his fellowship with God and he knew how to be devoted to God.
Toward the end of his career, he calls the assembly of his people, telling them about his desire to build God a temple and how God had disallowed that saying his son Solomon will build it. In his oratory, he asks the Israelites to be faithful to God, following Him all their lives. Turning to Solomon, he utters the words of our above Scripture; asking Solomon to serve God willingly, with a perfect heart. David tells Solomon that the Lord searches all hearts and knows the deep thoughts therein, understanding all man’s thoughts for He knew them to the core. Further, David tells him something very important: If he sought the Lord, He would be found of him but if he forsook Him, then God would cast him off forever.
When I ponder on these Words I can clearly see David’s relationship with God and God’s blessing on his life, because David followed Him honestly and diligently and had fellowship with Him always. David had seen God’s hand in his life and witnessed God’s power which had raised him from being a shepherd, making him a king. David as it were knew God’s heart itself and sought to follow it as God Himself testifies to it when He says of David, ‘A man after My own heart.’ What a beautiful time David must have had with God and truly I can feel David’s life inundated with anointing and blessings from God; wherefrom David exhorts Solomon. Today, I pray all of us follow David’s exhortation so that just as God had been with David, He will be with us too.
Thoughts for another day
April 20, 2010
Today's verse: 1 Kgs. 17:1 And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab, As the LORD God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)
I admire some men and women of God. Even today I must say there’re many who live such wonderful lives that they become role models for me; for I know that they live the very lives Jesus wants us to live. The Bible also provides many such examples of men and women who lived for the Lord, so to say. Among them a man called Elijah from Tishbe in Gilead, stands out prominently.
Elijah is a great example of a man’s intimate relationship with God. Though the Bible doesn’t talk much about this relationship, reading from the text available, once can decipher that Elijah was a chosen emissary of God. I believe Elijah could do all those things mentioned about him because of his closeness to God, Take for instance, the widow of Zarephath whose jar of flour and the jug of oil didn’t exhaust though the material was being used every day. Besides, Elijah’s raising up the dead son of this widow is a huge miracle which tells of the unction God had given him.
Today’s Scripture emphasizes Elijah’s confidence and relationship with God; due to which, He knew of the ‘Presence of God’ that’s why he could say, ‘As the LORD God of Israel lives, before whom I stand’. He knew God and he also knew his own standing before Him hence he had the gumption to do the incredible: By his mere word, (of course with God’s intervention), he told Ahab, Israel’s king that there’d be no rain for a few years, by his word. Imagine the courage of a man to appropriate God’s power before a king who hated him. In this I’m confident that Elijah did only what he knew he could, after seeking God’s Word. The Bible says it happened as Elijah had said and truly it speaks volumes for a man’s relationship with God. I pray you and I can at least be somewhere in our relationship with God so He will act toward us with His favor.
Thoughts for another day
April 19, 2010
Today's verse: 1 Pet. 5:7. Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)
Recently I wrote a message to my friends on a Christian Networking site. It mentioned that some of them would be in some kind of difficulty, etc. and that I’d prayed for them. Immediately, many replied thanking me for my prayer and some even mentioned confidential things asking me to pray for them. What surprised me is, were I were to look at their profiles, I’d not even suspect them to be people in difficulty. But they were.
Such is the situation in the world today. That neighbor who greets you warmly may be just hiding that niggling problem, trying to cope with it by self. Then your office colleague may be under great stress, yet smiles each time she sees you, and you think to yourself how cool she is and always under control! I have realised that people, whether rich or poor, whether Christian or non Christian, whether black or white, man or woman; everyone has some difficulty they need to cope with. And it needn’t be as simple as getting their child admitted to an engineering college, etc. It could be possible they’re battling cancer and each day, slipping up a little bit.
For such people, today’s scripture comes with all its freshness and power: Cast your burden unto Him, Jesus Christ our Lord, why? Because He cares for you! No one in this world cares for you like Jesus Christ. A human being who cares for another usually does because of some vested interest. I may care for someone thinking, that person will take care of me later. I may help somebody in need because I’m expecting something in return and this is my chance to get it. I was once working for a company and reporting directly to the man who formed it and you know if we were in a meeting and he just asked for a pen, those around would whip their pens out and give to him. If he had a small problem, there’d be scores of people who’d want to help. One day in a pensive mood he told me, ‘See how all these fellows want to help me…do you think they would help if I did not have great wealth?’ That told me much about human help. But as for the help of God, He helps without so much as expecting anything except our companionship. His care for us is genuine and He feels our pain. Thrusting oneself on Him is the best thing one can do when in trouble.
Thoughts for another day
April 16, 2010
Today's verse: Ex. 32:14. And the LORD repented of the evil which he thought to do unto his people. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)
Our relationship with God is of great importance and defines the kind of life we lead on earth. In the world we hardly see people having any relationship with God, leave alone a close and endearing one. I find this among well meaning people and of course preachers, teachers, priests and pastors too, who’re really moved when they attend prayer meetings, Bible studies, etc. At that time they’re so touched by God’s kindness and graciousness that they commit to serve Him always; but soon forget and that soon can be as soon as they reach their homes whose atmosphere overrides all the sweet pledges made to God a shade earlier. I’m sure pledges will be made again and not kept. You may think this is a pessimistic way of looking at things or even pre-judging, but I maintain it is reality as I’ve seen people do it so often to sicken me.
My heart is happy when I see or hear of some men and women of God who’re steadfast in their relationship with Him. No matter what, they always find time to be with God; praying before Him for self and for others, worshipping and praising Him and also reading His Word to get to know what His will is. In the Bible we find many such people and one such man we’ll look at today is Moses. Perhaps the only man of whom God says, ‘I know you by name, you’ve found favor with Me!!!’ (Ex. 33:12). I can truly see how deep the relationship is reading ch. 33 of Exodus.
You know the best part of the relationship is that God hears Moses. When I see the argument Moses gives in his plea (32:11-13) to save the Jews after they sinned grievously in making the golden calf, I can’t help but feel so good about our God when it says, ‘He repented’. See, Moses is making an argument before God, The Almighty, The Awesome One, The Maker of Heaven and earth and gives Him a very human argument. Is it impossible for God to raise up people in His Name or is it impossible for God to blank the minds of the Egyptians in this accord? Yet, God listens to Moses… yes, He listens to Moses and answers him. You know when I look at this, I can hope that one day, when our relationship with God is like Moses’ we too shall ask and He will answer for how can He, the Great God spurn the passionate advances of them who love Him and intend a relationship?
Thoughts for another day
April 15, 2010
Today's verse: Ps. 139:17. How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them! (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)
Sometime, if we’re to take a reality check on ourselves, particularly on God endowing us so well, we’ll be shocked at the amount of care the Lord took in creating us. David dwelt on this beautifully saying, ‘so wonderfully you made me…’ The awesomeness of God is seen in every hair bristling on our hands; the millions of pores on our skins and the crisscrossing of blood vessels and nerves across the stretch of the whole body. There’re millions of cells we’re made up of and each cell is unique. Besides, one tissue’s cells are different from another’s and their functions are also different. So uniquely created are we.
Our bones, our face make-up, the color of our skins and eyes are so different from another. Billions of people live (or have lived) on the earth, yet each person is unique with none like the other. All of us have fingerprints so unique, no other person has the same. Even the way each tissue, each bone, each body vessel or organ is fitted together is amazing and can only be called the work of a Master mind…a ‘power’ so great there’s perfect understanding of the large or micro aspects of living parts. This power, we acknowledge as God and it is He who has made each one of us and we’re all beautiful as He created us.
Still, beyond all this is what our Scripture mentions today, that’s God’s thoughts over us. He thinks so much of us. You know, even as you’re reading this, His thoughts are on you. You’re within the scope of His mind all the time and He deals well with you. Just thinking about how much He thinks of us can give us the will to live perfectly, understanding that He is there and He is thinking good for us. Awesome is His Name.
Thoughts for another day
April 14, 2010
Today's verse: Zech. 12:10. And I will pour out a spirit of compassion and supplication on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that, when they look on the one whom they have pierced, they shall mourn for him, as one mourns for an only child, and weep bitterly over him, as one weeps over a firstborn. (NRSV – copyright acknowledged)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)
The sacrifice of Jesus has done it all. It has brought redemption to mankind. Every person born on the face of the earth has reason to celebrate because of the tremendous sacrifice of Jesus. Death, disease, suffering, pain have all been cast asunder by belief in the Lord. They no more have the potential to raise fear in the hearts of men for they have lost their sting and no longer hold any danger to us. Jesus proved by His death as man, that these weapons of the devil can be defeated. In fact anyone who does so has cast aside the love of this earthly life and has moved into the arena of the Most High and His chosen ones. You may ask, why then do we still suffer? Because we have all gone astray and don’t, or rather won’t, believe in the Son of God and to those of us who say we believe, we still need to check what kind of belief we have. Really, I know of many people who say they believe but their belief is only from their mouths.
After redemption, God has granted us the power to be called His sons. We, who were orphaned and had no one to look up to have now got a Father in heaven. The wonderful thing as the Bible says, we have become the inheritance of a magnificent God and an awesome Father. An inheritance is something very valuable and so we are valuable to Him.
God is pleased in our belief in His Son and is also pleased to pour upon us, His Spirit of Grace and supplication even as we look upon the Beloved, whom we have pierced, who died for us a miserable and painful death. In our repentance of our unjust deeds toward the Holy One, we shall mourn as for a precious and beloved One and approach Him, the beloved Lamb of God, promising to be with Him; and in this we shall gain answer to our prayer and a crown from the Beloved, as we approach the portals of Heaven after we’re raised to glory.
Thoughts for another day
April 13, 2010
Today's verse: 2 Pet. 3:13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)
In the world we aren’t to be satisfied or treat things as if they’re permanent. Some of man’s most permanent things just crumbled and faded away. Over the years, kings perished, powerful dynasties considered invincible, slipped into the crucible of oblivion. Big, mighty and tenacious businesses just shrank under the carpet. We see that we never get to a point of comfort in the world because the world affords no comfort. When we achieve what seemed unachievable we’re happy; but the bar is then raised a little higher dissipating our happiness and now something else seems to be our goal to satiate our hunger for more.
Satisfaction is just a mirage and happiness and peace without Christ are mere illusions covering a bit of time in our lives and then fading. Therefore, looking forward to the things of God serves to keep our senses above water and also provides manna to our souls. Our verse today comes with the assurance of the new heavens and a new earth where dwells righteousness and if I may add, all things that are of God. The shackles that the world gives us are broken in that world and disease and pain cease to be.
What is in that world is righteousness. We are eligible for that world for Jesus Christ died for us and gave us the cloak of His righteousness. When we accept and wear this cloak, we stand with the righteousness of Jesus Himself and thus gain entry into the Kingdom of heaven which might as well be on earth, which is renewed and God filled. The fulfillment of our scripture is slated to be in the future as Peter explains, in the coming of the day of the Lord. When this happens, the existing heaven will dissolve and melt yet, we can still have His kingdom on earth where we abide by His will. In this, we no longer remain what we were earlier but changed. In the change, no human contagion affects us for it does not bother us. People around will be the same, yet we aren’t affected because we’re focused on Jesus and seek His face. In that we will enjoy the benefits of the kingdom which are righteousness and peace.
Thoughts for another day
April 9, 2010
Today's verse: Jn. 12:28 Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)
How much do we seek to glorify God in our lives? Do we constantly live under His Sovereignty recognizing He is Lord of all and always to be praised and glorified; or do we treat Him as we do, our next door neighbor, not bothering to find if he is well or isn’t? I find that very few people are concerned about God and plan some time for Him time each day. Most people I speak to just wave it off, that is forego giving Him some time, saying, ‘Oh, come on, where’s the time to sit at His feet, and you know God understands isn’t it, after all He has given me this job and this family…’ So for these people when God doesn’t take centre stage in their lives, how will they seek to glorify Him in all their ways, for their ways are not His ways at all!
Contrary to that when we come to Jesus, knowing that He was God, coming from God as it were, He always thought about His Father. Jesus’ life could be another love song to the father and Jesus never had anything of His Own, but that which the Father gave Him and all that Jesus said and did, He attributed it to His Father. In fact, Jesus said that the Work the Father expected from us was to believe in Him, Jn. 6:29. Moreover, Jesus’ food was to do the will of the Father and finish His work, Jn. 4:34. In all His ways, Jesus was concerned about the right stance for His Father and He always wanted the Father to be exalted, glorified and raised above everything else in the world.
In our Scripture, Jesus asks the Father to glorify His Name. This is straightaway after He tells His disciples that the hour has come for the Son to be glorified. In His personal glory, Jesus saw His Father’s Own glory. Therefore, Jesus urges His Father to glorify His Name. The Father responds that He has already done it and He will glorify it again. Now, coming to us, has our devotion to the Lord, caused us to seek His exaltation in the eyes of the world? Is our God glorified in our lives in such a manner that our Father is prompted to say, I have glorified My Name in your life and will glorify it again? If you think not, don’t you feel it’s time to re-work your relationship with God?
Thoughts for another day
April 8, 2010
Today's verse: 1 Chron. 22:5b. …and the house that is to be builded for the LORD must be exceeding magnifical, of fame and of glory throughout all countries: (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)
Our relationship with God can manifest in many ways. One key way is what we do when we’ve to make an offering to Him. Are we parsimonious or generous? Do we think of giving the best, or do we cut corners here and there. I don’t have to answer for we know what it is. I’m convinced that our love for God makes us do things which we may never do and also at a time when no one is watching us, because when someone watches our actions toward God, we’re more than willing to do the best to show off which is nothing but tomfoolery, for God can read our hearts and doing such a thing, to look good before others doesn’t find favor in His eyes.
As I ponder on our Scripture, I can’t help but think of the heart of David, which was so much for God that in a way, it beat for Him. God Himself testified of David saying, “I have found a man after My own heart!” God’s testimony is far greater than any man can give and absolutely truthful. And it is proven in the actions or prayers of David mentioned in the Bible. The one who taught me the principle of total and single-minded devotion to the Lord is David. In Ps. 27:4 he says, ‘One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD;’ which he echoes again in Ps. 84:2 ‘My soul longs, yes, even faints for the courts of the LORD: my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.’ See the passion and the fervor in David’s words, enough to gauge His longing for God.
As for David’s actions, we know that He always inquired of the Lord, whether he should or shouldn’t do a particular thing. And yes, David sinned but when He did, His remorse was palpable and he begged God’s mercy; and through this, we have Ps. 51, an excellent repository of a man’s agony before God for his sin. David has given us an example to be before God and I must say, it’s worth emulating all our lives.
Thoughts for another day
April 7, 2010
Today's verse: Ps. 83:18. That men may know that thou, whose name alone is YAHWEH, art the most high over all the earth. (KJV – with use of correct Name of Great I AM)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)
Act LORD, Act my God today on earth in the presence of all men in an awesome and marvelous manner that they may know Who is the true God; who is the Creator and Owner of the Universe. Let all creation know O God, that everything was done by the work of Your hands and when You stretched Your hand and uttered Your Word, all things became as You wanted them to become.
Lord, You are the giver of breath to each thing that has life. You also bring into existence that which doesn’t exist and You put life into stone or transform it physically so it takes another form. Lord You bring rain to dry up the parched earth or hold it in its storehouse so the earth dries up and man and animal perish for lack of water. O God, You command and switch on the light of this vast universe in your pattern so men and creation may have light to see each others’ footprints on the muddy earth or the sprawling galaxy. O Lord, You hold the massive, powerful water in water bodies and stretch the limits to which they can go and they don’t dare cross them, but when You release them for even a split second of time, they can tsunami havoc on earth. My Lord and my God, Your hand it is which holds us in safety and by its removal, we perish into oblivion.
And today, a good day created by You O God, show Your hand mightily on earth. Let Your enemies and Your opponents and also those who persecute Your followers, learn that You alone are God, the Most High, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, the God of Jacob and the Lord of Hosts. O God depraved men have ceased to do sensible things that please You and do all kinds of things that offend You. O Lord, turn not Your face on their calamitous acts but rather, fling them into perdition, so their followers and their ilk know that there is a God and His Name is Yahweh. O LORD, O God, O Creator of all things, don’t let me despair You didn’t hear my prayer, but look below the canopy of Your sky and answer my prayer O God, and let the whole world know that You alone are God, The GREAT I AM, The EL-SHADDAI and the Eternally Holy One, Jesus Almighty. Amen.
Thoughts for another day
April 6, 2010
Today's verse: Philip. 1:29. For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake; (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)
You read that right: On behalf of Christ, not only are we given the privilege of believing in Him, we also have the double privilege of suffering for His Name. To many ears, it may sound a little strange as to how we’re also given to suffer for His sake, particularly when we believe. If you were to reason it out you’ll understand that when you love someone and your life is completely bound with that person, you’ll delight even in suffering for that person, because he or she is so delightful in your eyes. Moreover, Jesus Christ Himself suffered and the Bible tells us that though He was the Son, He learned obedience through suffering (Heb 5:8) and God made the Captain of our salvation, perfect through suffering (Heb. 2:10). Suffering is a privilege in the Christian’s life.
God unequivocally believes in the maxim of suffering. If Jesus Himself suffered, how much more must we, who’re worthless before Him? He loved us so much that He even chose the worst kind of death for Himself and that too after a scourging, which was savage to say the least. What does that tell you about Jesus Christ? As for me, it says that Jesus is the greatest love of my life. There can be no one, whether wife, child, brother, sister, parent, relative or friend who can love me more than Him and I’m reminded of His saying, ‘Greater love can none have than that he lay down his life for his friends’ (Jn. 15:13).
Truly my friend when Jesus has loved us so much and laid down His precious life for us, can we love Him any less? We daily have problems in our struggle with sins that block our love for Him, yet, when it comes to it, can’t we love Him more than anything else? Is it too difficult? Is it impossible to do what He has asked us to do? Think about it, in the awesome gush of pure love flowing from our Savior and Lord, can we remain indifferent? I guess, we can’t help but love Him just as He loves us. When this happens, He allows us to also suffer for the sake of His Name whereby we find delight and joy in our hearts.
Thoughts for another day
April 5, 2010
Today's verse: Rev. 5:13. And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)
Somewhere deep within my heart, there’s an intense desire to praise God to the fullest. Profound it is and at times, the intensity is so great as to ask the Lord to take me to His realm, so I could voice my praises and worship Him in complete submission, falling face down before His Majesty as every human being must in the Presence of the Great Almighty, the Lord of Hosts, the Most High, the Awesome King of kings. But at times, the cacophony of earthly voices and evil desires deny my inner urge to completely surrender to Him, despite the knowledge that He has blessed me so much with all blessing in heavenly places in Christ.
Then today’s Scripture comes to me as a rush of cool water in a flowing stream and I feel invigorated and glad that what I wish to do, I can do right here on earth. The Word of God says, that every creature in heaven and on earth and even under the earth praise and bless the Lord of glory, the LORD God El Shaddai who is able to accomplish greatly beyond all that we can ask or think, by the power which is at work within us, His Awesome Spirit, our Lord the Counselor. He tells us that our praise of Him is accepted in the Beloved even as we stand here on earth and He is pleased with our life, drawn from Him by the craving of our souls.
That’s enough to make me sing and shout and declare the praises of Him who has called us out of darkness into His marvelous light, making of us Kings and Priests in His Kingdom, through eternity and eternity and share in His glory, which is far beyond our capacity to imagine the gloriousness thereof. I simply sing a song to Him, thanking Him for this privilege and also the greatest privilege I have of calling Him, Abba Father, which opens the doors of heaven to me and makes me His inheritance in Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen.
Thoughts for another day
April 2, 2010
Today's verse: Lk. 23:34a. Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)
The night was terrible, the night they had the Passover meal. It seemed ordinary but every element around was eerie as if the atmosphere was suggesting a catastrophe. The earth shuddered while Jesus and His apostles sat in the upper room where He instituted the memorial offering; of bread and wine as His Own Body and Blood. The air in the room suggested dread and awe and sure, they had supper many other times, but this seemed unlike any. They remembered something like ‘the hour has come’ falling upon their ears and it weighed heavy on their hearts.
From the upper room they trudged to a place called Gethsemane at the foothills of the Mount of Olives. The apostles were craving their sleep as Jesus led them; and even as He moved a little ahead taking only Peter, James and John with Him, they were fast asleep. He went a few yards away and fell on His face before His Father, weeping agonizingly. Though from the foundation of the world, this moment was on the anvil, the mere thought of separation from the Father was a scary thought, a desperate time for Jesus. He knew He would suffer in His body, but His soul dreaded the forsaking by His Father and it cut Him terribly. But He allowed the will of the Father to pass.
Then began the drama of His arrest and the farcical session of the Sanhedrin which lead to trial by the Roman Proconsul, Pilate. In accordance with scripture, Jesus was first scourged terribly (as Pilate thought the Jews upon seeing His mutilated body, would allow Him to live) and then crucified (because Pilate through scourging had failed to evoke any sympathy from them to release Jesus). The whole process caused a tremor in the heart of the bravest man and rendered unto Jesus a body, broken by the ‘flagellum’ a whip known to cause devastation on the body; the mocking, and spitting upon His Divine persona, notwithstanding.
Then the punishment reserved for hardened criminals was given Him, He was crucified for no fault. On the Cross, completely torn in the heart, Jesus yet looked down upon His tormentors and said, ‘Father forgive …’ But was it only for those who were physically present that day; was it not for us too, who today for reason of paltry grain, whether physical or psychological, deny and offend Him? Who at the drop of a hat, do not fail to sin? He knew exactly what we would be and it is for us that He asked forgiveness from His Father so that we who completely ill-treated Him and shunned Him and heaped insults on Him, might be saved. He did it simply because He loved us and wants to spend eternity with us.
Thoughts for another day
April 1, 2010
Today's verse: Mt. 11:28. Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)
On an arch at the gate of a cemetery, is written the above and when I read it years ago, my mind acknowledged it saying, ‘How appropriate.’ Now that I’ve grown in the Lord, I can truly say, ‘How inappropriate.’ What an awfully erroneous way of interpreting the Word of Jesus Christ as to indicate - His rest for the ‘dead’!
When Jesus looked at the crowds following Him, He felt pity. They were impoverished, leaderless and pitiable with no redemption whatsoever. Weak and beaten, none looked at them and though they wanted to keep hope, who could they hope in? Much like today when the poor are beaten and suppressed, with absolutely no savior in sight. Jesus saw their hopelessness and tiredness which broke His heart. He wanted to give them hope. He spoke of the Kingdom of Heaven of which they were citizens and asked them to follow its laws. He revealed the joys of the Kingdom even in their sorrow on earth. Jesus indicated to their dual citizenship, whereby they were citizens of earth as well as citizens of Heaven and because eventually they’d be citizens of heaven, He asked them to practice its virtues including maximum love of God and neighbor and love of enemies.
The Jews understood the meaning of ‘rest’ as in fulsome peace assured by God as they came out of Egypt into the land He would give them, where He would cause His Name to dwell with them, Deut. 12:10,11. But it didn’t happen and so Jesus came to tell them about the new ‘rest’. This rest is not ‘lying in the grave’ for it is not for the body which is corrupt and reduced to mud, but for the soul of everyone who dies in the Lord (Rev. 14:13). Then will God dwell with men, and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be with them, and be their God. And He will wipe away all tears from their eyes; Rev. 21:3-4.
While that’s the right interpretation of what Jesus told, He isn’t about to forsake you here in this world. He will struggle with your struggles and fend for you. He will ensure that in the midst of suffering, your heart is full of joy. Though you will have trouble, you will also have a song on your lips which defies all logic. What’s more, Jesus Himself will work for you in ensuring your life on earth is a preparation for your Heavenly stay as long as you give your life to Him.
