For God so loved . . .

The author of today’s devotions makes a thought-provoking observation. She imagines a courtroom in which the accused stands before a judge thinking about all that could happen. Then she says that the thoughts of the man are irrelevant; only what the judge thinks is important. The accused is totally at the mercy (or not) of the judge.

Then she applies this thought to our relationship with God. She says, “The only vital thing in our relation with the Lord is not what our feelings toward Him are but what His feelings toward us are.”

My first thought was this passage:

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:31–39)

The devotional writer calls her illustration about the importance of the judge’s thoughts as a ‘self-evident fact’ — and as I read through the above passage, it is so logical and plain that God loves me that I wonder why I would ever doubt it. He sent Jesus to die for me. Jesus lives forever to intercede for me. Nothing can change the love of God for me, even if persecutors put me to death I will forever be with the Lord who loves me. Nothing can change that.

Other verses come to mind:

The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me? (Psalm 118:6)
Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. (1 John 4:4)
My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. (1 John 2:1)
But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:57)

Think of the accused standing before a judge and fearing that the maximum sentence will be given to him. He has no idea that the judge is merciful, nor that someone else, even the judge’s own son, has already offered to take his place and serve his sentence, even the death penalty for his crimes. This is what the Judge, our Holy God, has done. He loves us so much that He sent His Son to take our place and set us free.

PRAY: Lord Jesus, so easily I forget that You totally love me, and that Your love is enough. Forgive my doubts and my memory lapses. Fill me with that love, not just to reassure me but that I will love and always obey You, and also love others with that same kind of unchanging, sacrificial love that You pour out on me.

No matter the size or strength of my enemy . . .

 

READ Psalm 56–60

What is the test when a person has not had the flu or even a common cold for decades and then, for no apparent cause, gets a head cold? For me, the test is about pity parties. Everyone knows what a cold feels like: stuffed head, itchy nose, coughing, generally weak and wanting to sleep rather than do anything else. It takes firm determination to think about other people, their needs, prayer requests, world events, and so on, rather than “poor me, I have a cold and I feel miserable.”

Today’s reading is filled with descriptions of how the psalm writers are in danger from others. Their enemies are not only threats that put fear in their hearts, but attacks that have injured them and caused physical pain. Reading these chapters made me feel foolish for thinking a mere cold is the worst thing that could happen. How can I complain about the sniffles when I could be the target of severe harm?

Oddly enough though, the verses in between the pleas for God to deal with these enemies are words of comfort for even me, to help me avoid a selfish pity-party and instead glorify God and be thankful for His grace and goodness. This next verse says that no matter the threat, small or huge, I can take shelter in the Lord:

Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me, for in you my soul takes refuge; in the shadow of your wings, I will take refuge, till the storms of destruction pass by. (Psalm 57:1)

These verses also help me focus on His glory, putting aside thoughts of my little problems:

My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast! I will sing and make melody! Awake, my glory! Awake, O harp and lyre! I will awake the dawn! I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples; I will sing praises to you among the nations. For your steadfast love is great to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds. Be exalted, O God, above the heavens! Let your glory be over all the earth! (57:7–11)

The psalmist is certain that God can deal with his enemies and allow him to be victorious over them. Since God can do that, He is more than able to help me through a few days of much milder discomfort.

You, Lord God of hosts, are God of Israel. Rouse yourself to punish all the nations; spare none of those who treacherously plot evil. Selah Each evening they come back, howling like dogs and prowling about the city. There they are, bellowing with their mouths with swords in their lips— for “Who,” they think, “will hear us?” But you, O Lord, laugh at them; you hold all the nations in derision. O my Strength, I will watch for you, for you, O God, are my fortress. My God in his steadfast love will meet me; God will let me look in triumph on my enemies. (59:5–10)

Oh, grant us help against the foe, for vain is the salvation of man! With God we shall do valiantly; it is he who will tread down our foes. (60:11–12)

My foe right now does not walk on two feet or carry a sword or even a big stick. Actually, it is not a bunch or germs either. The NT makes it clear who the destroyer is and my part in this fight. It is not merely to avoid becoming self-centered, but to continue in my main mission of standing firm in prayer:

Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. (Ephesians 6:11–13)

This means I can stick to what God wants me to do regardless of the attack of a few bugs that make me sneeze, itch, cough, ache and blow my nose every few minutes. This is not the enemy even though it might be the tool of this enemy. Even so, I know that far worse dangers and powers are defeated by the Lord. I can stand firm and loudly proclaim: “O my Strength, I will sing praises to you, for you, O God, are my fortress, the God who shows me steadfast love.” (59:17) Amen!