Friday, July 27, 2007

Hopeless?

Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Jeremiah 7, 8, 9

Jeremiah 8:20 (NIV)

20 “The harvest is past, the summer has ended, and we are not saved.”

Good morning!

I heard a joke at the lay ministry seminar I attended last weekend. I’d like to give credit where credit is due but I have no idea where it came from. It struck a chord with me and I thought you might enjoy chewing on its deeper meaning today.

A Calvinist, a Wesleyan, and a Positive Thinker had died and were awaiting judgment at the throne of God. When Jesus did not recognize them, they were cast into the lake of fire together. The Calvinist, totally surprised by his eternal home, cried out, “I can’t believe I didn’t have it!” The Wesleyan, on his knees, continued to say, “I had it, but I lost it! I had it, but I lost it!” The positive thinker jumped up and down from foot to the other, with arms crossed and eyes closed. He chanted, “I am not here; it is not hot! I am not here; it is not hot!”

I saw a picture of a church billboard that read, “Stop, drop and roll doesn’t work in Hell.” We can laugh at the sentiment conveyed in this tongue-in-cheek dialogue. Deep down in our hearts, we know there is a day coming when many will find themselves in a suffering in a place of eternal separation from the Lord. Jeremiah’s heart was breaking into. He begged God to have mercy upon His people. God told Jeremiah not to bother praying for them. It was a waste of time, and God had no intention of listening to Jeremiah’s prayer.

Can you imagine what it might be like if God said to you today, “Do not bother trying to reach me. You’ve messed up one too many times. I refuse to listen to you anymore.” Jeremiah must have felt utter hopelessness, crying out to the deaf ear of the Lord. But he kept on praying, so burdened for his brothers and sisters to the point of uttering unceasing prayers. If we would only take our prayer life half as serious as the prophet Jeremiah, our world would be forever changed.

Thank God for Jesus Christ. He became the bridge gap between a holy and righteous Father, and a sin-filled humanity. When God said, “No more,” Jesus said, “Send me.” He became fully human while remaining fully divine. The Lord committed no sin, yet took the sins of all of us and carried them to the cross of Calvary. His blood was poured out to cover us, and it is by His grace and mercy alone that we are saved. Jesus Christ knows who His people are. This is something we cannot earn or work toward, or acquire by anything we do. It is a true gift of grace, extended to you by the Lord, wherever you are. If you will just open your heart to Jesus Christ today and invite Him into your life, He will give you the desire to seek Him and learn who He is. His Spirit will fill you with His presence, and your life will be forever changed. Jesus Christ will not leave or abandon you in the Day of Judgment, when you stand before the throne of our holy, perfect, and righteous God.

Jeremiah never stopped praying, even when it seemed hopeless. Jesus Christ offers new life to all who will turn from their sin, confess Him as Lord, and seek to follow Him all of their days. We have hope! Do not stop praying for the people in your life who do not yet know Jesus. They may see Him in action simply by watching you. Will they see a heart that perseveres, even when the situation seems utterly hopeless?

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

www.songofdeborah.com

Pray for: the fires of hell to get your attention, if that’s what it takes, to refocus your life’s priorities and ultimate destiny. Jesus Christ died for you while you were still sinning, and that proves how much He loves you. Ask Him to come into your heart today. He will forgive you, and free you, and will not leave you, in this life, and in the life to come. And believe me, it’s coming.

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© Copyright 2007, Deb Spaulding

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