Once we
admit that we are a sinner, we accept Jesus' sacrifice on Calvary's cross as
the payment for our sins, and we surrender to the Holy Spirit's sanctification
process in our life, we have a wonderful friend in Jesus.
As our
friend, Jesus bore the penalty of our sins for us, and He sent His Spirit to
comfort us in all of our griefs in this sin-cursed world. Ours is the privilege
of bringing every issue in our life to God who cares for us (1 Peter 5:7).
If we
attempt to earn our own salvation (Philippians 2:12-13), solve our own problems
and make our own riches and success in this life, we needlessly forfeit the
grace of God to provide these needs for us.
If we do not
totally trust in God as our benevolent Father, we bear the pain and loss of
peace in our trials. We have no need to suffer from discouragement
or to feel overwhelmed, because Jesus within us experiences and shares our
sorrows with us.
Well
acquainted with our weakness, foibles and idiosyncrasies, God never judges us,
but unconditionally and eternally loves us as we submit to His will for our
life. He is our Father God (Exodus 15:2), and He cares about us (Psalm 55:22).
God made an
eternal, unbreakable covenant with all those who will believe in Jesus as our
Savior. We have a free will and are capable of walking away from Him as an
apostate (Hebrews 6:4-8), but God will never, ever leave us or give up on us (2
Chronicles 15:7; Hebrew 12:1-3; Mark 10:26, Philippians 3:7-14; Leviticus
26:11).
Prayer:
Father God,
You provide us with the endless. spiritual heritage of Your entire Kingdom as
co-heirs with Jesus. We are connected to Your divine presence by Your Spirit
within us. We have no need to feel alone, abandoned, discouraged or forlorn,
because Your presence in us fills us with hope and a purpose (Psalm 16:11;
Ephesians 2:10).
Thank You
for giving us a place in Your family and securing our fellowship with Your
Saints through all generations, nations, tribes and tongues. We are never alone
and we are always encouraged by our unity with You in our soul and spirit. You
give us Your joy and peace regardless of the horrendous circumstances which we
may suffer.
Thought for
the Day:
When the
malaise of our circumstances engulfs us, we can remember that we are a part of
the Body of Christ, which secures our unity with the presence of Christ in our
life, granted to us by His shed blood on Calvary's cross.
