Salvation

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FINDING REST FOR OUR SOULS IN GOD

(Psalm 62:5-8) Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him.  Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.  My salvation and my honor depend on God; He is my mighty rock, my refuge. 

King David wrote the words of Psalm 62 to share what he had discovered. He reminds himself, “Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him.”  David knew this, but he needed to remind himself.

  We are God’s children dealing with a fallen world full of many evils.  We need our God’s help.  David rehearses all the support God provides for us.  He is our hope, our rock, our fortress, our salvation, our refuge and even our honor.  In the midst of our distress, we tend to get caught up in the troubles and forget that God is there for us.

It’s good to be reminded that we need God.  He is the creator, the source of life, wisdom and power.  It is fortunate that he wants to provide us with all those above-mentioned supports.  All we need to do is ask and then trust him to work out our troubles.  That sounds simple; and it is. In God, we can find rest for our souls.

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COME AND GO

(Matthew 11:28-30) “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.

Jesus gives us the greatest invitation we will ever receive when he says, “Come to me.”  When we come to him, we find rest, and as we commit ourselves to him, he gently teaches us a better way to live the life that he has given us.  He doesn’t lay heavy burdens on us, but be careful, there is a tendency for us to make it hard.

I remember those early days- shaking my fist at Jesus and saying that your burden is not light; it’s hard!  In my pride, I was trying to become a Christian on my own. It turns out that Jesus was patiently teaching me to trust him and learn from him.  As time went on, I found that his burden was light because he was always there beside me.

Like his disciples, Jesus teaches us his ways to live.  As we grow in our knowledge of him and his ways, we are then ready to share the Good News about him.  We are ready to go.

(Matthew 28:19&20) Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.  And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.

When we respond to Jesus’ invitation to come, he calls us to share with others the new life we have received.  We are called to go.  Where are we going?  I believe that we are going into the life The Father set before us.  Some are called to go to other countries, but most of us go to those who are a part of our daily encounters.  Whether we are called to other places or to share right where we are the call to go is for us.

We come and then we go.  We do not go alone, because Jesus has promised that till the very end he will go with us.  As we share and teach about Jesus, he will guide us.  Our receiving of Jesus’ invitation sets in motion an eternal partnership with him, and together we will share the good news with all nations.

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OUR LIGHT AND MOMENTARY TROUBLES

(2 Corinthians 16&17) Therefore we do not lose heart.  Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.  For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.

Bad things happen to good people.  Actually, bad things happen to all people. No one escapes. Here on planet earth, amidst the beauty and wonder, there is much danger and trouble to be encountered. 

This week, I finished watching the fifth season of The Chosen.  The last episode shows what it might have been like for Jesus as he prayed on the Mount of Olives before he was arrested.  It was painful to watch Jesus as he wrestled with the anguish and emotions over the torture he was about to endure. John shares this prayer that Jesus prayed that night (John chapter 22 verse 42) “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”

Jesus was about to encounter bad things, but the results of his endurance brought about, “an eternal glory” that made salvation possible for the whole world.  Considering what Jesus went through, we can understand why the Apostle Paul called our troubles “light and momentary”.

I know that our troubles don’t usually seem light and momentary when we are in the midst of them.  Yet Paul gives us this promise, they are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.  So, with wholehearted trust in our God, we can endure our circumstances. And even though we don’t fully understand, we believe that someday we will see the eternal glory that our struggles here have produced.

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CONSIDER THE KINDNESS AND STERNNESS OF GOD

(Psalm 91:14-16) “Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.  He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.  With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.”

(Romans 11:22) Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God…

The Apostle Paul challenges us with these words,“Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God…” the verses from Psalm 91 show us that for those who love the Lord and acknowledge his name there is kindness.  The opposite is therefore true that for those who reject the Lord and deny his existence there is sternness.  

Why do Christians talk about a new life in Christ Jesus?  The answer is because we have entered God’s kindness.  God has rescued us, protected us, answered our prayers, been with us in times of trouble, and shown us his salvation.  The writer of Psalm 91 received God’s kindness because he had acknowledged the name of the Lord and had come to love the Lord his God.

The sternness of God is reserved for those who reject God.  His sternness has been demonstrated from the beginning.  The flood is a good example.  In response to rampant evil, God wiped out all but eight of mankind. As we contemplate this, it is good to remember that Creation belongs to God, and he will deal with it according to what is necessary to bring about his final plan for his creation.   

We have each been given the opportunity to receive God’s kindness. First, we come to believe that God exists, and, as we seek him, he builds a relationship with us.  Jesus made the way for all to enter this glorious relationship with our creator.  God’s desire is that we would all come to him.  He would much rather show us his kindness than his sternness.

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WHAT HAS GOD DONE ABOUT MANKIND’S REBELLION? 

(Romans 1:18-21) The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them.  For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.  For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.

The Apostle Paul gives a clear description of what has brought about the fallen state of God’s creation.  It is quite simple; mankind has turned their backs to their creator.  We were created to be with God.  God created us to share with him and to live in his righteousness. Without God we now live in a world full of evil. Not only did mankind turn their backs to God, but they created false god substitutes.  And in our current depravity, we have created vast theories to deny God’s existence.

What has God done about mankind’s rebellion?  Well, since the beginning he has called for us to return to him, and out of his great love for us, when the time was right, he sent his Son to show us how to live a righteous life.  As a clear demonstration of his love for us, Jesus, God the Son, having no sin, took upon himself all the sins that mankind has committed throughout the ages, and suffered death on the cross to pay the price for all those sins.  Jesus covered our unrighteous acts so that we could be free to return to a right relationship with our God. 

The rampant evil acts that daily occur here on planet earth are the result of mankind’s rebellion against our creator. Paul explains the results of this rebellion, “but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.”

To the very end, many of mankind will continue to defy God.  I have been studying the book of Revelation; it is amazing the terrible destruction that God’s judgement will bring upon the earth, yet, in the midst of this destruction, many will refuse to repent.

 God, with great sacrifice, has prepared a way that we can enter the love and wonders that he has always wanted for his created ones.  If we let his light shine in our hearts, the darkness will flee, and our thinking will become clear.  This has always been God’s desire.

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HOLD ON TO JESUS

(Hebrews 13:5) Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”

“Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”  These are words that God spoke to Joshua (Deuteronomy 31:6) when he was about to lead the Israelites into the promised land.  Here the writer of Hebrews shares these words with people who have received Jesus as their Savior, people like us.  For Joshua and for us, these words are a promise from our God.  Since God is holding on to us, all that this connection requires is that we hold on to him.

I’m picturing a scene where a child has fallen over the edge of cliff and just managed to grab hold of a root sticking out of the ground. She is holding on for dear life, and her hand is beginning to slip.  Then, the hero appears just in time, and he reaches out and says, take my hand.  The frightened victim then needs to decide whether to put her trust in this perfect stranger or not.  Desperately, she reaches out and grabs the offered hand.  She is pulled to safety, and all is well.  Having a hero like Jesus who will never leave us or forsake us presents a great reassurance.

Jesus has promised to always be with us.  Somehow, in the most difficult times, it seems harder to recognize his presence.  We want him to rescue us right away, and we wonder where is he?  That’s when we need to hold on to him and trust in his words.

I have recently suffered through some difficult times, and I found myself feeling more distant from Jesus. I now realize that I was learning to grow in patience, through suffering.  As I look back, I can see that Jesus was right there through it all.  It was time for me to hold on to him, and learn to trust in the fact that, “he will never leave me or forsake me.”

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JESUS DOES NOT CHANGE

(Hebrews 13:8) Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

I own a cell phone that is frequently updated.  Every time an update occurs, I must learn new stuff.  This usually includes finding a new way to operate existing apps.  I was content with the previous way they operated.  Constantly changing the cell phone, which I use for so many things every day, is annoying.  I’m very glad that my Lord and Savior doesn’t change.

The Apostle John tells us in the first chapter of his gospel that Jesus is the Word of God, and that through him all of creation was spoken into existence. Jesus has been unchanging from the very beginning. 

 John also tells us that the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.  While Jesus was here in the flesh, he taught us how to live godly lives.  Those teachings are as relevant two thousand years later, as they were when he spoke them.  They have not changed. 

The truth of Jesus’ death and resurrection, and the salvation that he paid so dearly for, are the eternal good news that will never change.  The fact that Jesus never changes is a great comfort for those of us who love him.

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SEEK THE LORD ALWAYS

(1Chronicals 16:9-11) Sing to him, sing praises to him; tell of all his wonderful acts.  Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.  Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.

  I last wrote about seeking God initially, to find him, and discover that he rewards those who genuinely seek him, but that is just the beginning.  When we find God, he leads us to his Son, and there we find the salvation he has provided through Jesus. As soon as we accept Jesus as our Savior and Lord, we are ushered into the eternal family of God, and we are sealed with his Holy Spirit. Through Bible study and fellowship with other believers we grow in our relationship with our new family, and the most important relationship is now the growing interaction with our Heavenly Father.

Seeking God is a continual activity.  Once we find him, we discover that he is always with us.  We no longer live our lives alone.  He is the ultimate source of love, wisdom and peace. The more we seek him the closer we become to being like him, He is the one who created us in his likeness, and we find the deep riches of his love for us.

Life doesn’t become perfect as we walk with the Lord here on earth, because we live in a fallen, imperfect world.  The real comfort is knowing we are not alone.  We have the promise of a great never-ending life ahead of us, and that is our hope; We look forward to an eternal future never again to be tainted by sin. 

“Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.”

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THE BEST POSSIBLE ROAD TO TAKE

(John 3:16&17) For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

We have just celebrated the birth of Jesus. This is the beginning of the greatest event that has ever occurred on the earth.  John clarifies for us just what happened on that night when Mary gave birth to a son in the town of Bethlehem.  God gave his one and only Son to save the world.  Why would God do this?  Because he so loved the world.  And who can receive this saving grace?  Whoever believes in Jesus the Son. 

Our creator has offered us an open invitation to reconcile with him and spend eternity with him in a perfectly sin free new world.  What can possibly stand in the way of us jumping at this invitation?  I like to be reminded of these words from Proverbs 3:5&6, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your way submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”  A relationship with God doesn’t depend on our ability to figure out God; it depends on our ability to believe that he exists.  We call this faith. Hebrews 11:1, “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”  The writer of Hebrews continues in verse 6, “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”

Jeremiah 29:13, “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”  God is inviting us to receive the greatest gift ever offered, eternal life. We waste our time seeking everything that in the long run has no eternal significance. In Matthew 6:31-33 Jesus said, So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’  For the pagans run after these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

The promise found in God’s Son is not only for eternity.  It is even for right now.  When we put our faith in God our Father and believe in Jesus as our savior, we begin a new life.  Considering what is offered and how much can be lost; Think about it, seeking God seems to be the best possible road to take.

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THE MYSTERY REVEALED

(1 Corinthians 2:9&10) However, as it is written: “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived” – the things God has prepared for those who love him – these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit.

In these verses, the Apostle Paul refers to the great mystery that had been hidden from the beginning of time and now revealed by his Spirit.  The advent of Jesus the Christ is the beginning of this great reveal.  God in his wisdom, that is far beyond what we can conceive, has always had a plan for our redemption. A baby, born to a common family, lying in a manger made for feeding animals, is the beginning of this astonishing miracle.  Jesus came that we might have new life, eternal life.

The great love of our Creator did not allow him to abandon us.  He would give his one and only son unto a torturous death, allowing him to take on the sins of the whole world.  But Jesus did not Just come and go; he grew up like a regular human child, and he spent his adult years teaching us a new way to live. For those of us who have received him, we have been given new life guided by the infilling of his Holy Spirit.

Christmas is a celebration of the reveal. A mystery that was long hidden until the time was ready for its release.  We are all given invitations to what God’s love accomplished for us in his redemption plan.  Don’t miss out! Receive this great gift that our creator has offered us and join in on the everlasting celebration!