Forty years ago a pastor gave a sermon about trials and tribulations and he said, “When you get to the end of your rope; tie a not in it and hang on!” Sometime we feel like we have been shipped wrecked in desolation; yet Jesus is always there. No matter what the trial is, no matter how desperate the circumstances seems to be; Jesus is always there with the answer. That sermon has been a high tower of rescue for me countless times over the years. Hang on just a bit longer because rescue is there.
Lazarus died hanging on, but his rescue came. That well known story in John chapter 11 is for our edification and help. Jesus said that he was glad that He was not there to save Lazarus! Why? Because Jesus wanted His followers to believe that nothing will keep the love of God from us; not even death. Jesus wanted them to see and believe that He is the resurrection.
“Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead. And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there…” (John 11:14-15)
That should give us great peace of mind. Mary and Martha were in the darkest moment of their trial of the death of their brother and they blamed Jesus for not being there; but He was and had a greater purpose. Jesus saw their pain and He wept as well (v 35). The God of the Universe, who spoke all things into existence, was there and He had a plan. Jesus is always with us and He has a plan. Jesus then spoke a simple command; “Lazarus, come forth.” (v. 43) Nothing will separate us from God!
Romans 8:37-39 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. (38) For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, (39) Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
We must stand on the promises, the WORD of God; believing, because we have internalized Christ so that He lives in us. Know the WORD of hope and claim it! The verses below speak to the faithfulness of Jesus and His promises
JESUS IS FAITHFUL AND COMPASSIONATE
Lamentations 3:22-23 It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. (23) They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.
JESUS WILL NEVER LEAVE OF FORSAKE
Hebrews 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
JESUS WILL PROVIDE A WAY OF ESCAPE
1 Corinthians 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
JESUS IS THE WAY OF ESCAPE
John 14:6 KJV Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
JESUS WILL GIVE PEACE
Psalms 4:8 I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.
JESUS WILL GIVE THE PEACE THAT PASSES ALL UNDERSTANDING
Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
EMBRACE PEACE, EMBRACE JESUS AND BECOME THE CHILD OF GOD
Matthew 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
We have seen the three inward states of LOVE, JOY and PEACE. These are more than fruit of the Spirit of God; they are God. We are the temple of the Holy Ghost. These inward states of being can live in us through Christ Jesus, our Lord and our God; but we must desire the continual infilling of the Holy Ghost. We must live in the armor of God that we have also just reviewed in detail; so that, even though we are in a horrific battle and war; THE VICTORY IS OURS! WE ARE MORE THAN CONQURERS! WE CAN LIVE IN PEACE!
Prayer: Lord God Almighty, my Father; thank you for your Spirit that lives in me and gives me all of what I need; fill me with your Love, Joy and Peace. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment