Lovely skin!

For some time, I have had little lesions on one side of my nose, and on part of my forehead. A gel, regularly applied, had been dealing with them for a number of years. Then, my GP retired, and the doctor who took over the practice decided that I should be looked at by a specialist. So, a hospital appointment was made and, after a few necessary cancellations, I finally was able to meet with the dermatologist who, after an examination, prescribed a more powerful ointment. For some weeks, I displayed some very red patches on my face.

However, the ointment seemed to work and, this morning (Sat.), I went for a follow-up examination. I was seen by a different doctor and, as she examined me, she said: "You have lovely skin"!!!! Well, I do not recall anyone ever having said that to me before! However, I was happy to hear it. Well, I was happy, until I gave those words some deeper thought!

You see, that very kind and complimentary doctor was looking only at my skin! If she had been able to look right inside me - not just the physical that could be viewed through x-rays, but the real me; the me that is known only to me; the thoughts that I have; the actions that I take when no-one else is around; etc., etc. - then she might would have arrived at a different conclusion!

Some will be familiar with the record of the prophet Samuel being sent, by YHWH, to the family of Jesse, so that a successor to king Saul might be anointed. The first of Jesse's sons noticed by Samuel, was Eliab, the first-born. As the prophet looked at this, apparently, fine young man of stature, he was sure that the one whom he was to anoint was before him. However, YHWH spoke to him: « ... YHWH said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for YHWH sees not as man sees; man looks on the outward appearance, but YHWH looks on the heart.” » (I Sam.16:7). Then, again, through the prophet Jeremiah, YHWH makes abundantly clear the manner in which He views us: “I, YHWH, search the mind and try the heart, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings.” (Jer.17:10).

I referred, above, to « the me that is known only to me ». However, those words of YHWH to Samuel, and His words through Jeremiah, remind me that that statement is not totally true! You see, the Lord knows me, inside out, and outside in - and He knows me even better than I know myself! That, as folk often say, is scary!

However, that is also where the message of the Gospel comes into play. You see, the love that Father God has for me - and for you - is so great; so beyond our comprehension; so supernatural that, in the Persona* of the Son, the Lord Jesus, He not only "... bore our sins in His body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness." (I Peter 2:24), but even "For our sake He [the Father] made Him [the Son] to be sin Who knew no sin, so that in Him [the Son] we might become the righteousness of God." (II Cor.5:21).

Please let that sink in. The holy, sinless, Creator, Who cannot even bear to look upon sin, became, in the Son, the very epitome of sin - for you, and for me. Indeed, I believe that it was at that brief moment in the time that He had created, that the Father turned His face from the beloved Son, causing the Son to utter what is often referred to as "the cry of dereliction":  "E′lo-i, E′lo-i, la′ma sabach-tha′ni?” which means, “My God, my God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?” (Mk.15:34, et al).

However, the final word that Jesus spoke from the cross was the word (in Greek) "Tetelestai" = "Finished"! That was the word that was stamped on a bill to show that the bill had been paid in full. When Jesus proclaimed it, He was announcing to the whole of the universe, that the price for your sin, and mine, had been "paid in full" with His precious blood and, as we were being reminded this morning, the veil/curtain in the Temple - that signified our being separated from Father God - was torn in two, from top to bottom, showing that the way was now open for us to enter the presence of Almighty God knowing that, as we do so in the Name of the Lord Jesus, we are accepted in Him, and justified in the eyes of the Father. Hallelujah!

But this is true only for those who come to the Father, through the Son, in repentance and faith. I know that many to whom this devotion is sent have done so. I also know that there are those who have not. I urge you, to think seriously about these things. Your eternal destiny depends on your relationship with Almighty God, through the Lord Jesus. He said: "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but by Me." (Jn.14:6). But, in Him, all are accepted - and that includes you! 

* This is explained, further, in my book "Great Words of the Faith", available from Amazon. (Link at the top of the page). Remember, ALL royalties are sent, directly, to Release International in support of the persecuted church.

Strength out of weakness.

As I endeavour to set up the study in our new home in Gardonne, I am 'discovering' books that had almost been forgotten!  One of those is a book on the life of David Brainerd, a man whose ministry emphasises the words of Almighty God, given to His servant Paul, and shared with us in II Corinthians 12:9 - "My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness".

David Brainerd was, for about four years, a missionary to the North American native people ("Red Indians"), and experienced a variety of physical ailments, as well as suffering from a form of mental neurosis.  He died when he was only 29 years of age, yet he did more for the Lord during his brief life than many other robust, and talented, men accomplish in 60 or 70 years of ministry.  Often desperately ill and, humanly speaking, alone, he repeatedly travelled deep into the forest, trying to reach tribes whose language he did not even speak.  At times, he records in his journal, he spent whole days in prayer,asking the Lord to intervene.  Once, the only interpreter available to him was so drunk that he could hardly stand up - yet scores were converted through the Gospel message.  Although Brainerd was extremely weak, God's strength was consistently manifested through him.

The truth that divine power is best displayed against the background of human frailty, was emphasised by Paul in his letters, and exemplified in his life.   He ministered to the Corinthians "... in weakness,and in much fear and trembling ..." (I Cor.2:3).  His speech was not with enticing words, and great oratory, yet he preached "... in demonstration of the Spirit, and power, ..." (I Cor.2:4).  In spite of suffering from "... a thorn ... given me in the flesh ..." (II Cor.12:7), he determined that the Lord would be glorified through his affliction.

Each of us has inabilities - even handicaps.  However, if we are disciples of Jesus, we have no right to sit around, wallowing in self-pity, and doing nothing.  We should, surely, gladly accept the Lord's will for our lives, and serve Him wherever we are, as He gives us opportunity.  Our very weaknesses are the Lord's opportunities to reveal His strength!

Remember, we may face situations that are beyond our physical strength; but they are never beyond His supernatural resources!

Forgiveness - it isn't natural!

After a disastrous, and highly criticised, edition of the BBC 4 Today programme, yesterday morning, it was good, this morning, to hear a disciple of Jesus speak about forgiveness.  This wasn't even the daily "Thought for the day" spot.  Rather, it was the widow of Alan Greaves, the church organist who was mindlessly attacked as he made his way to the Christmas Eve Watchnight Service of his Sheffield congregation, just over a year ago.  He died, from the injuries he sustained in the attack, just three days later.

Two men were, subsequently, arrested, charged, convicted, and sentenced - one for murder, the other for manslaughter.  This morning, Mrs Maureen Greaves confirmed to her interviewer (Sarah Montague) that she had forgiven both men.  Although, to my recollection, the precise words were not used, I could sense by the tone of her voice that Ms Montague was finding this very difficult to believe.  The line, and tone, of her questioning seemed to shout out - "But that's not natural!"

Mrs Greaves was excellent in the interview, speaking easily of the trust in God that had helped her through the past year - and that her late husband had shared - and that made the marriage of her daughter, on Dec 27th, the anniversary of Alan's death, and in the same church building to which he had been making his way, a joyful occasion.  Ms Montague appeared to have difficulty with that, as well!

Of course, the answer to Sarah Montague's unspoken question is that Mrs Greaves ability to forgive those responsible for the callous murder of her husband is not natural - it's supernatural!  It's the result of the grace of God working in her life.  She spoke, freely, of the fact that she is a sinner - and that her late husband was, as well.  However, she went on to explain that, as God, in Christ, has forgiven her, then she is able to forgive those who have hurt her in a way that is unimaginable to those of us who have not gone through the same experience.  She didn't quote, but is obviously aware of, Paul's words to the early followers of the Way, in Rome, that: "... all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, ..." (Rom 3:23).

I trust that many who were listening to that programme will find themselves questioning how a woman, who was widowed in such tragic circumstances, could forgive those who were directly responsible for her grief.  I trust that many will turn to the same Saviour Who, as Maureen Greaves pointed out, came to be the Saviour of the world, and submit to His Lordship in their lives.