See you back here May 6! Have a wonderful week Pursuing the Presence of our Lord Jesus!
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We were headed to McCall today for lunch. Tomorrow is our 51st anniversary. We’ve postponed our plans because of stormy weather in that area. I was really looking forward to driving through the mountains. Bob and I travel well by car, enjoying the scenery as it passes by. Of course, as we have aged, it becomes necessary to stop more often to stretch our legs and rest.
Other things have changed as I’ve aged. “Stuff” doesn’t matter much to me anymore; in fact, I’m going on a spring cleaning foray into closets and cupboards and giving away a lot of “stuff.” Things we moved into this house and haven’t used since are heading to a garage sale or the local Salvation Army. Things that are more precious are being marked for family members. (I don’t think Bob has the same opinion about his “stuff” but I’m working on him!)
Paul reminded Timothy that “godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.” [1 Tim 6:6-8 NIV]
What matters to me most now is not to let even one day pass without praising and worshipping my Lord. My relationships with my family and my friends matter. I want to keep them vital and fresh. I have regrets about the days I wasted in the past and can’t change that … but I don’t have to add to them in the present or the future. I intend to make my remaining days full of the things that really matter.
Father, I thank you for each heartbeat left in me, may I use them to praise you and care for the ones you have put in my life. Amen.
“He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all-how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?” [Romans 8:32 NIV]
God did the greatest thing imaginable. He did not “spare” even His own Son. Instead He gave Him up – Jesus, the Word of God, the Creator and Sustainer of all things – for us.
The only human picture we have coming remotely close to that is found in Genesis 22:1-19. There Abraham at God’s instruction sets off to sacrifice his beloved son Isaac on Mt. Moriah. Read the story today. Focus on the word “spared” or “withheld” in verses 12 and 16. When they translated the Old Testament into Greek, they used the same word in those verses that Paul used in Romans 8:32.
Isaac was spared. God provided a lamb in the thicket to offer instead. Jesus, God’s beloved Son was not spared. He became the Lamb offered for us.
If God did the greatest thing to provide our salvation, how will He not also do everything and provide everything we need when we face opposition. The God Who saved us is the God who keeps us.
Looking for something to be thankful for today? God did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all. That’s a good place to begin.