03/20/2020
We go to our knees, and accept Jesus Christ as our savior, and in so doing we acknowledge God as our Father, and thus we have taken the single greatest step in our lives. We immediately feel the exhilaration, and the joy, as we lift our arms towards heaven, and feeling the Holy Spirit as He surrounds us we think “it is done”, when in fact it has just begun. Now that we are standing atop the mountain we find that we must struggle mightily to remain there. We must keep ourselves in the love of God despite the efforts of Satan, and the sin that desires to blow us from the summit of Mt. Zion.
“keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life.”
Jude 1:21 ESV
I remember the amazing joy that came with the simple prayer in which I accepted Jesus as my savior. I was a boy, and prayed that prayer in the living room of the man and woman who had taught me in Vacation Bible School that year. I rode my bicycle to their home, solemnly determined with each hard push against the pedals that I would enter into a relationship with Jesus, but the trip back home was very different, it was one I will never forget because the immense joy and spiritual quickening was upon me, and it felt as though I was flying through the air as I pedaled, and prayed out loud! At that moment I knew Jesus, He was abiding in me, the Holy Spirit surrounded me, and God held me firmly in His hands. At that moment I felt as secure in my faith as I would ever feel in my life... but the next morning I awoke to face the sin filled world that I had been plucked from the day before, and although my transformation had begun, Satan threw himself into the battle, and the war for my soul commenced in earnest.
“Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.”
1 Peter 5:8-9 ESV
I was young in years, but more than that I was young in my faith. Satan seized on every opportunity my youth presented him, and it didn’t take long before I was hiding in the bushes as Adam and Eve once had... embarrassed that I had disappointed God. I remember laying in my bed crying because I had let Jesus down, and then I prayed for mercy, and forgiveness. At that moment I was washed clean once again, and I made a resolution that I would love God with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength, and that I would resist temptation, and sin no more.
“Jesus stood up and said to her, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?" She said, "No one, Lord." And Jesus said, "Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more."”
John 8:10-11 ESV
Since then I have cried in my bed, in my car, in the forest, and on mountains... while walking, swimming, and standing I have prayed tearfully for forgiveness, and sought anew the love of God, and the grace that flows from Jesus. I have prayed in words, and in the spirit, and I have knelt, stood, and laid prostrate as I did so. Each time I stumbled I was lifted up, and took another step forward as I matured more in my faith, and was strengthened. Each time I felt myself growing in stature... first from a baby to a youngster, then an adolescent, and into a man, and now onward into a true son of God who loves his father more each day... and lifts more of the burden that Christ once took solely upon himself, onto my own shoulders.
“For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.”
John 3:17 ESV
We are transformed more with each passing day, and by each lesson we face as we suffer through life... and yes... as we stumble, allow Jesus to pick us up, and realize that the love of God has never failed us. So when times are hard and we lose our possessions, our heart, our way, and even those we love, always remember how much God loves you, and what He Himself gave to redeem you. Stand firm in His love, and love Him back in the midst of every storm you face, and through every tearful prayer of contrition. The joy and exhilaration you once felt awaits you, and in eternity the joy will thrill you all the more... beyond description.
“Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”
1 Peter 1:8-9 ESV
Prayer:
Father, thank you for the tremendous quickening of our spirit We feel when we first believe, and the taste of your joy that overpowers us at that moment. Thank you for the taste of what awaits us on that day when we join you in heaven, and dine at your table. Keep us Holy Father, and continue to lift us back to our feet when we stumble. Wash us clean with the cleansing blood of your Son Jesus when we become filthy in our sins, and forgive us as you choose not to remember our transgressions. Treat us as your children Father, and by your firm hand transform us, and in living water bathe us clean each day. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God in whose love we are held secure, and by whose Son Jesus Christ we experience your mercy, and redeeming grace. Great are you who chooses to forgive, and then to separate us from our sins. Praised be your name Father for patiently awaiting our contrition each time we fail you. Amazing is the boundless depth of your love, and the ever diligent oversight that your Holy Spirit maintains over the health of our spirit, and soul. We worship you at the altar, and from our very heart, mind, and soul wherever we find ourselves. Our bodies are your temple and from here we lift you up in all your glory. Hear our prayers Gracious God, and never let us stray Heavenly Father because our greatest desire is to be with you forevermore, and find the peace, joy, and quickening excitement that comes as we abide in you.
“Thou, which hast shewed me great and sore troubles, shalt quicken me again, and shalt bring me up again from the depths of the earth. Thou shalt increase my greatness, and comfort me on every side.”
Psalms 71:20-21 KJV
“Deliver me, O Lord, from mine enemies: I flee unto thee to hide me. Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness. Quicken me, O Lord, for thy name's sake: for thy righteousness' sake bring my soul out of trouble. And of thy mercy cut off mine enemies, and destroy all them that afflict my soul: for I am thy servant.”
Psalms 143:9-12 KJV
Rich Forbes