Posted on September 5, 2023 by Elizabeth Welte in Freedom Fighters
With all the lights and music surrounding us, how could there possibly be anything wrong in the world..? There are shiny tinsel trees and incredible presents, eggnog, and all the sugary delights anyone could wish for… but none of these things can make a heart truly sing again. Sitting in a darkening room, where the loneliness wraps tight like a noose, I grasp for anything that will give purpose to my living and make the pain of rejection and failure subside. Every memory seems tainted with the hurt inflicted by the selfishness of others. Ending it all looks like the only exit to the pain… except for one nagging thought… God said He loves me.
Almost everyone knows 3:16. For God so loved _____ that He sent His most valiant and trusted warrior, His only begotten Son to save me from this despair. It was a rescue mission of the highest importance, for You and for me. Jesus faced the dragon of deception, who breathes out bitterness, envy, and hatred, slaying it with the sword of God’s Word. He defied death and illness, and overcame every adversity to the truth of this one thing… you are worth dying for. On the cross, Jesus bore every condemnation that could be thrown at you; He even risked separation from His own Father, so all your debts of sin were covered over by the life-giving flow of His shed blood. When He cries out, “It is Finished!” the world shook, and your redemption was complete! Today, this mighty warrior, stands at our God’s throne, extending a compassionate hand to lift you out of the darkness. He is inviting you into the light of our Heavenly Father’s presence with the words, “I love you.”
You only need to take the nail-scarred hand of the One who is willing to fight for you. No matter the darkness that presses the life from your lungs, Jesus is the hope you need. No drug, drink, relationship, job, investment, reputation, pleasure, desire, or idea can wipe away every tear like the warmth of His embrace you receive when you come to Him. Jesus gives all who are weighed down with the burden of being worth something an intrinsic value. Jesus knew the shame of the cross, and yet He bore it anyway… because you are worth the battle. Jesus gave up His divine privileges and took the same humble position as you and was born as a human being. When He appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross in your place. (Philippians 2:7-8) Consider all the hostility Jesus endured from evil men, and you will begin to realize the confidence you have when you rest in His provision. After all, you have not yet given your life in your struggle against sin as He has… (Hebrews 12:3-4 NLT)
You now know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your forefathers. And it was not paid with mere gold or silver, which lose their value. Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God, covered the cost with His precious holy blood.” (1 Peter 1:18-19 NLT) Look what your worth in God’s eyes… and all that receive Him, to those who believe in Jesus’ name, God gives the right to become His children… you, a child of God! Out of the suffocating darkness, He has lifted you up and called you His child; and every child of God defeats this corrupt world, and we achieve this victory through our faith. And who can win this battle against this world of darkness? Only those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God.” (1 John 5:4-5 NLT) There is hope that shines into the darkness, and His name is Jesus. He is fighting for you because you are worth every drop of His precious life-giving blood. I pray that you take hold of His nail-scarred hand, and allow Him to give you rest from your struggle; I pray that you abide with Him and find nourishment for your soul.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the doctrinal and theological views held by America’s Keswick.
Written by David Brown: David Brown is a husband, father, grandfather, Pastor with a Masters of Religious Studies and a Professor of Philosophy and Comparative Religions. Dave is the Associate Pastor of Pemberton’s First Baptist Church. He is the author of two devotional books, “From a Chair by the Window.” And “#PrayerWinsThe Day”.
Think About This: “Just like the artist chooses the clay, God chose you specifically to do the purpose He has in mind for you.” ― Morgan McCarver
The Daily Bible Reading: Ezekiel 20-21. You can download our 2023 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here.
This Week’s Verse to Memorize:“For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.” Hebrews 8:10
Consider a retreat at America’s Keswick retreat center.
