What are the cracks in your foundation? Did you face another Easter in which you seemed to be the only one who is holding the torch of Jesus Christ? Wondering why after all the prayers and tears you have poured into your family, your loved ones still deny Jesus? They refuse the empty tomb; they see the stone rolled away but don’t enter to see the evidence.
THE THIEF
The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill and destroy. Someone has had a field day, and it is not your loved ones.
SENT TO DEATH ROW
The Apostle Paul walked that road of darkness: We don’t want you in the dark, friends, about how hard it was when all this came down on us in Asia province. It was so bad we didn’t think we were going to make it. We felt like we’d been sent to death row, that it was all over for us. As it turned out, it was the best thing that could have happened. Instead of trusting in our own strength or wits to get out of it, we were forced to trust God totally—not a bad idea since he’s the God who raises the dead! And he did it, rescued us from certain doom. And he’ll do it again, rescuing us as many times as we need rescuing.” (II Cor 1:8-11)
GUARDED FOR ETERNITY
Paul Tripp writes in “Forever: Why You Can’t Live Without It”: “The word ‘guard’ in I Peter 1:5-6 tells us exactly what God is doing in the here and now, and exactly why we can have hope, even in unexpected moments of pain. Not only does God have a plan that you are included in, but he is also with you daily and guarding you through every situation as he is preparing you for forever. Guarded means that not only is your future guaranteed, but it means that God is protecting you in the here and now as well. If forever is in your future, then God must ‘guard’ you between now and whenever forever becomes your permanent address. ‘Guarded’ means you cannot only be assured of future hope, but of the right here, right now comfort of present help”.
AS MANY TIMES AS I NEED RESCUING
Rescued. Guarded. My God is a Fortress, an Everlasting Hope in danger. He is my forever God, no matter what Satan throws at me. No matter if my dreams appear crushed and disappointment hovers over me like a dark cloud. As a child of God, I am living in eternity PRESENT. Not pie in the sky, or “I’ll fly away”. I’m presently living in God’s eternity, and it is good, no matter what is thrown at me. The eternal God is with me, “as many times as I need rescuing.”
HIS INVITATION
Yes, Satan is a thief, and the thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. Remember, Jesus’ promise, I have come that they may have life and have it to the full. It does not matter what is thrown in your face, even your family goes down the drain, even if you are still the only believer in sight, even if you despair even of life. The eternal God is with me, “as many times as I need rescuing.” Let Him rescue you.
