Thought for the day
The following story is related by Kim Noone in the book, "A Cup of Chicken Soup For the Soul":
"One day a drill sergeant came out and threw a hand grenade into a group of young soldiers. The men all ran away and took cover away from the grenade. Then the drill sergeant told them that the grenade was not set to explode and he just did it to see their reaction.
"The next day a newly recruited soldier joined the group. The drill sergeant told the other soldiers not to tell the new soldier what was going to happen. As the drill sergeant came out and threw the grenade into the crowd of soldiers, the new soldier, not knowing it wasn't going to explode, threw himself on top of the grenade to prevent it from killing the other men. He was willing to die for his fellow soldiers.
"That year the young man was awarded the only medal for courage and bravery that had not been won during battle.
"How many people would you be willing to die for? Be honest now! Maybe your husband or wife, one of your children, but the list starts to get pretty short after that, doesn't it?
Can you imagine dying in the place of a convicted criminal? Someone is scheduled to die on death row for murder, and you say, "Please let me take his place!" Not very likely, huh? Paul was so right when he said, "For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love towards us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:7-8)
Why would Christ do that? As long as I define love by my own personal limitations, it will always be impossible to comprehend. Only the love of an Almighty God could be willing to sacrifice so much. I am led to respond in praise, and in a desire to give all my love and obedience to the One who loved me more than life itself.
Verses
Hebrews 10:23
With this assurance let us cling to the hope we profess without the slightest hesitation. For God who has given us this promise is trustworthy.
Matthew 8:17
He did these things to make come true what Isaiah the prophet said: "He took our suffering on him. And he felt our pain for us." [Isaiah 53:4]
Philippians 2:10-11
so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Matthew 6:9
"In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name.
1 Timothy 6:17
Tell those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money. Money cannot be trusted. They should put their trust in God. He gives us all we need for our happiness.
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.
No comments:
Post a Comment