Thought for the day
One day a gentleman walked into one of Ben Franklin's book stores. As one of the clerks went to assist him, the gentleman asked the clerk the price of the book he wished to purchase. The young clerk looked at the price posted on the book and said, "That book is one dollar, sir.
"The gentleman began to haggle with the clerk over the price. The clerk assured him that the correct price for the book was one dollar and no lower. As the man realized that his efforts to haggle with the clerk were going nowhere, he insisted on speaking with Ben Franklin directly.
Franklin stopped his work, walked out to the storefront and the gentleman asked,
"What is the price of this book?"
Franklin answered, "One dollar and a quarter."
The gentleman was confused and replied, "Your clerk just said it was a dollar."
Franklin looked at the book again and answered, "Yes, it was a dollar. But now you're wasting my time."
Chances are you have haggled over the price of something. Maybe you've haggled over the price of a new (or used) car. Maybe you've gone to yard sales or flea markets and haggled over some treasure you discovered. In some countries, you are expected to haggle over much of what you buy in the stores.
So, I wonder if you've ever haggled with God. I wonder if you've ever thought that God's expectations are too high, and you've tried to get God to lower his "price." I'm reminded of the rich young ruler who had a conversation with Jesus about what he must do to inherit eternal life (Luke 18:23). Though he had done much, Jesus said that one more thing was required: "You still lack one thing. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me." (Luke 18:22).
The response of the young man is sad. He turned and walked away, "for he was very rich."
What strikes me about that passage is that there is no room for haggling with Jesus. When this young man walked away, Jesus didn't go running after him and say, "No, wait, maybe I was asking a bit too much. Let's renegotiate."
No, Jesus demands our all. All that we have. All that we are. He will not settle for any less. The price is not negotiable, so don't waste God's time trying to haggle with Him.
Verse
Matthew 8:13
And Jesus said to the commander of a hundred soldiers, Be going on your way. In the manner in which you believed, let it become to you. And the servant was healed in that hour.
1 Peter 2:24
Christ carried our sins in his body on the cross. He did this so that we would stop living for sin and start living for what is right. And we are healed because of his wounds.
Ephesians 2:10
For we are God's own handiwork, created in Christ Jesus for good works which He has pre-destined us to practice.
Matthew 21:22
If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer."
Philippians 4:19
And my God, from the wealth of his divine perfection, and in proportion to its greatness, will fully supply your every need as followers of Christ Jesus.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, I will never fully comprehend the depth of Your sacrificial death where we see man at his worst and God at His best. In my place You took my guilt and shame as You became the guilt offering pouring out Your life unto death and taking on my iniquity. You gave all so that I could be forgiven. Though my sins were as scarlet they were washed white as snow, cleansed by the saving blood of the sinless Lamb. You turned my hopeless condition into a life full of hope for this life and glorious anticipation for eternal life beyond the grave. Nothing in all of history will ever compare to the Divine Exchange where my sins were exchanged for Your pardon. I walk in newness of life and in the power of the resurrected Savior. Praise Your name, Lord Jesus! You are risen, You are risen indeed! Amen.
God's Favor upon you,
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