So, what do you think? With God on our side like this, how can we lose? If God didn’t hesitate to put everything on the line for us, embracing our condition and exposing himself to the worst by sending his own Son, is there anything else he wouldn’t gladly and freely do for us? And who would dare tangle with God by messing with one of God’s chosen? Who would dare even to point a finger? The One who died for us—who was raised to life for us!—is in the presence of God at this very moment sticking up for us. Do you think anyone is going to be able to drive a wedge between us and Christ’s love for us? There is no way! Not trouble, not hard times, not hatred, not hunger, not homelessness, not bullying threats, not backstabbing, not even the worst sins listed in Scripture:
They kill us in cold blood because they hate you.None of this fazes us because Jesus loves us. I’m absolutely convinced that nothing—nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable—absolutely nothing can get between us and God’s love because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced us.
We’re sitting ducks; they pick us off one by one.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
I saw a video on Facebook about a man named Tyrone Obaseki, who suffered horribly as a child in the Texas state “system” for orphans and foster children. He was tossed from one facility and orphanage to another…was placed in psychiatric hospitals, drugged, confined to a board in a straight jacket for hours on end, and abused by a foster family, among other things. Today, Tyrone is a college graduate, mental health counselor, and motivational speaker. He has also written a book, soon to be released, that details his 18 years in the state “system” and how he overcame his experiences.
Tyrone points out in his video that the foster family with whom he lived did one thing right…they told him about Jesus. Even as these foster parents abused Tyrone, they took him to church, where he learned about the love of Christ. I have to believe that this faith and hope in Jesus sustained Tyrone in large part. Yes, he is one of those extraordinary individuals who somehow overcame incredible adversity. But in my heart, I feel like his knowledge of Jesus gave him an “edge.” Somehow, he managed to realize that Jesus was with him…and that He was standing in the gap and petitioning God to rescue him. Tyrone Obaseki made it through, and now he stands poised to help countless other children who may be in a similar situation.
What is the message for us? Surely most of us have never had to endure such horrors…bullying, sedation and “medication” with mind-altering drugs, restraint, molestation, verbal abuse and more. Hopefully, you have never been in a situation where you felt like there was no human being to whom you could turn for help. But I’d be willing to bet that you have experienced times in your life where you wondered how things could ever turn around. I imagine that most of us have had at least one instance where we felt like we wanted to throw in the towel and say, “I’ve had enough!” Surely you have gone through something in your life that made you feel like (at least temporarily) the odds were stacked against you.
And yet, we know that NOTHING can separate us from the love of God…because of Jesus Christ. We know that Jesus is standing with God right this minute, arbitrating on our behalf. He is saying, “What about So-and-so and his/her struggle. Shouldn’t we help them?” Jesus is reminding God that He shed His own blood and suffered unbelievably, so that we could have abundant life…both now and for all Eternity. He is calling on God to fill us with hope, courage, and strength…and the confidence that with Him as our Heavenly Father, we are never truly alone.
Wherever you are today…whatever your circumstances…Jesus is standing in the gap for you. He is interceding on your behalf with God, because He loved you enough to DIE for you. If you have surrendered your heart to Him, your name is forever written in the Lamb’s Book of Life…and God has a place for you with Him for all eternity. He’s not about to abandon you! There may be days when you feel like you are alone…but all you have to do is reach out to God, and He will be there with you. There may be times of hardship…even suffering…but as you draw near to God, He will surely wrap His arms around you and fill you with a sense of His presence – and hope for your future.
We need to be sharing this GOOD NEWS with others. We need to be encouraging and reassuring others of their importance to God…and how steadfast His love and care is for them. There are people of all ages who need to hear this message…and God is counting on us to share it. Just as Tyrone Obaseki has a mission…we do, also. Are you fazed by the events of the day…or are you trusting Jesus to mediate with God on your behalf? Are you operating in the power and hope of Jesus Christ and the sacrifice He made for you…and do others see this confidence and faith in action? Isn’t it time they did?
©2016 Debbie Robus
No comments:
Post a Comment