Grace for the Race

Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on. When    Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” (Mark 2:4-5)

A completely packed house and a totally blocked doorway, but a devotion that could not be denied made its way to the Master . . . for true devotion will always find a way to get to its Object.

Because His reputation preceded Him, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people flocked to receive Him. Some were interested in His message, but everyone was interested in His miracles. Earlier in Mark’s gospel account we read that Jesus could no longer openly enter a town because of the frenzied mob of people who were magnetized by His amazing ministry, a ministry unlike the world had ever seen. And in our story today, this paralyzed man and his four friends demonstrate a devotion that could not be denied in spite of the wall of people blocking their way to the Master.

The question we all need to ask ourselves is this: “Does my commitment to my Master demonstrate this kind of sold-out, single-minded, will not be denied devotion, regardless of the cost or circumstance?” I am convinced that this is exactly what the church needs today if we are going to fulfill the two top commandments of loving God faithfully and loving our neighbor completely. We need to demonstrate a disruptive and a disturbing devotion just like the men in our story. Putting ourselves back in the story sitting in the room with Jesus, can you imagine just how disruptive and disturbing their devotion was as they dug through the roof, with dust and debris from the roof dropping on the crowd below?

Let us all prayerfully consider this day how we can amp up a devotion that cannot be denied for both ourselves and our neighbors. Let nothing stand in the way between you and your Master and let nothing stand in the way of you bringing others to sit at His feet. To be sure, we should begin by knocking on the door, or climbing through an open window, but if we cannot make entry let us dig through the roof and stop at nothing to get ourselves and our neighbors in the presence of the One who stopped at nothing to get to us – going all the way to the cross – demonstrating a divine devotion that could not be denied.

This is the Gospel. This is grace for your race. NEVER FORGET THAT . . . AMEN!

Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. (Joshua 1:5)

These words were said by God to Joshua who was being installed as the new leader of the people Israel, for the torch had been passed from Moses to him. Moses had died and it was now time for Joshua to assume command and lead God’s people across the Jordan River and into the Promised Land. But, make no mistake, these words are to be applied to every believer in every age, and facing every kind of circumstance. How do we know this? The Bible tells us, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5).

What God promised Joshua, He promised to all of His children. Perhaps we are not conquering new lands to expand the cause of God’s kingdom, but life is every bit as filled with “warfare” today for us as it was back then for Joshua. Who reading this cannot testify to the truth of the battle that rages against the world, the flesh, and the devil? We have been promised times of trials, troubles, and tribulations. But we have also been promised One who would walk with us every step of the way. If it is strength you need, God will give you strength. If it is wisdom you need, God will give you wisdom. If it is patience you need, God will give you patience. Whatever you need, God has promised to not just meet your needs, but exceed them, in the glorious riches of Christ Jesus.

Is this not a word of great encouragement to you today? You are not alone in the struggles you are facing. You are not without the help you need to get through the waves of challenge that are ready to wash over you. Now you may have experienced a close friend or even a family member who has left your side to fight your battles alone. But not your God. He has promised to be by your side through both thick and thin, good and bad, sunshine and rain. Know this – you mean as much to God as did Moses and Joshua. You are a child of the Most-High God and you have been purchased by the blood of His beloved Son. God is faithful and will keep His promise to never leave nor forsake you.

One final word of encouragement. Would this not be a great time to consider your response to this cosmic comfort in these words – As you my Lord will never leave nor forsake me – I will never leave never forsake You. Remember, since God cannot fail you, your faith cannot fail him, and when you do fall short of your heart’s desire to please Him, know that you are completely loved and fully forgiven.

This is the Gospel. This is grace for your race. NEVER FORGET THAT . . . AMEN!

Woe to me that I dwell in Meshek, that I live among the tents of Kedar. (Mark 4:39)

When Jesus prayed His high priestly prayer for His people, He did not pray that we would be taken out of this world, but rather, that we would be protected from the evil one. We must learn this truth today, what Jesus did not pray for us, we must never pray for ourselves.

It is wrong to cry “woe is me” and wish to be received into glory. We have been left here to carry on God’s work in this world just as our Lord did when He walked the streets of Palestine. We are in this world but not of this world and we are to be impacting this world for the glory of our God. Jesus has sent us into this world to be salt and light. We are to do everything within our power to preserve what good there is in the world around us and to shine His light on every dark place.

Where would you expect to find the doctor except where you would find the sick in need of his care?  Where would you expect to find the soldier expect where you would find the battle raging on? So too with the saints of God. We are to be found wherever Jesus is needed and that beloved, is EVERYWHERE on this side of the grave. To be sure, we dwell in Meshek and live among the tents of Kedar, for our world is filled with the powers of darkness and the forces of evil at every turn. But this is the very reason that our Savior has asked not to take us out, but rather to strengthen us within.

Remember, God has not left us to expand His kingdom in this world in our own strength. We have been given the power of the Holy Spirit to do all He has called us to do and when we are doing it, we are bringing glory to God and eternal good to all those we come in contact with. So, if you find yourself weary in your witness, remember it is wrong to woe when you know your Savior has commanded you to GO! Let these words from Paul propel you forward in your ministry of service to God.

I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. Philippians 1:23-24

This is the Gospel. This is grace for your race. NEVER FORGET THAT . . . AMEN!

He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. (Mark 4:39)

From sleeping in the boat to saving the entire fleet of boats, our Lord Jesus is the Cosmic Captain who protects all those who are His. Make no mistake, it is wise to sail with our Savior because when the storm winds begin to blow and the waves of challenge begin to wash over us, He will direct us toward the safety of the harbor . . . in His time and in His way.  

Now don’t miss this. When the disciples got into the boat with Jesus, and all the other boats followed along, they were not safe from the storm. The storm came up even with Jesus by their side. But they were safe IN the storm, as are all the saints of God. Jesus by our side does not keep us from going into storms, but rather, it gets us to the other side of it. The promise with Jesus is not smooth sailing, but sure arrival at our intended destination.

When the storms swept over that Galilean Lake, the disciples were convinced that shipwreck was soon to follow. Let that be a lesson to you today. When all hope is lost in the natural, we must shift our focus to the supernatural, because we have Jesus as our Cosmic Captain who has promised to get us to the other side of every storm we face. Not a single boat in the convoy of the disciples suffered shipwreck that night. Jesus was all they needed for safe passage and He is all we need too.

So, let me close today’s word of encouragement with this profound biblical truth the disciples and their friends learned that night when a furious squall nearly swamped their boats, that can strengthen you in any storm you are facing:

You will never know Jesus is all you need until Jesus is all you have!

This is the Gospel. This is grace for your race. NEVER FORGET THAT . . . AMEN!

I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him. (1 Samuel 1:27)

Hannah prayed for a child and the Lord answered her prayer. She named him Samuel and dedicated him to the Lord. He was an answer to her prayer and she delighted in delivering her precious child back to the One who had given him to her. For every saint of God, we too have our “Samuel” – “God heard” and answered our prayer. And when our answer is as precious to us as Samuel was to his mother Hannah, we will dedicate it back to the One who has given it to us.

Our God blesses simply because He is a God of blessing. But oh how sweet are the blessings received after earnest supplication and the continual cries of the heart. Like Hannah, we find ourselves overwhelmed with thanksgiving because of our God’s faithfulness to answer the petitions of His people. Here is the question that needs to be answered by every child of God, “What “Samuel’s” has God delivered into my hands through the doorway of prayer? Whatever they may be, let us dedicate them to the Lord just as Hannah dedicated her “Samuel” for God’s glory and the good of others.

The years as a pastor have taught me that the answer to our prayers are to be consecrated to our Christ. What we have received from heaven must be released back to heaven for the glory of the One who has given it to us. All that our God delivers to us must be dedicated back to Him. How much more must we dedicate those things which we cried day and night to receive from His holy hand of mercy?

So, let this day be marked by unceasing prayer and an unwavering promise that when your answer comes, you will consecrate it for the expansion of God’s kingdom, having given it the name “Samuel” because you asked of God and He heard and answered your prayer.

This is the Gospel. This is grace for your race. NEVER FORGET THAT . . . AMEN!

I will rejoice in doing them good and will assuredly plant them in this land with all my heart and soul. (Jeremiah 32:41)

What a word of encouragement we have before us today. Our Redeemer rejoices over us and delights in doing good to us with all His heart and soul. To be sure, we find no reason in ourselves that this would be true in all of our imperfections. Yet, our Redeemer rejoices to meet us in our deepest place of need.

In the beginning, our Redeemer rejoiced over all that He had made in the heavens and in the earth, and He declared with infinite wisdom that it was not just “good” but “very good.” And of all that He made, He made only mankind in His image. Not even the angels know of this blessed gift from God. They are to be included in the “very good,” but not to be included in the very image of God.

Did you know that when the angels rebelled and fell from heaven, followed by the fall of man in the Garden of Eden, it was not the angels that God came after with His redeeming love? The writer of Hebrews puts it this way.

For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abram’s descendants. Hebrews 2:16

Let that truth encourage you today. Let that truth lift you up above any waves of challenge that are coming up against you. Let that truth set you free to rejoice in your Redeemer because He is continually rejoicing in doing you good. Now, the good you might be expecting and the good you might be getting from His hand might be two different things. But is your Redeemer not in the best position to know what is best for you and how best to deliver it? I cannot find in sacred Scripture where our Redeemer rejoices in the sun, moon, or the stars. But time and time again, we read how God rejoices over those who bear His image.

I pray our passage today and these words from the prophet Zephaniah act as bookends to strengthen your belief in just how loved you are and how much your Redeemer rejoices over you.

The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17

This is the Gospel. This is grace for your race. NEVER FORGET THAT . . . AMEN!

“Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” (2 Kings 6:16)

The prophet Elisha was outnumbered in Dothan by an army with horses and chariots sent by the king of Aram. They surrounded the city, and Elisha’s servant was gripped with fear. But the prophet could see what his servant could not see and spoke today’s words of comfort that “those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” Surrounding those who surrounded the prophet and his servant were horses and chariots of fire sent by the Most-High God. What was true for the prophet Elisha back then is true for the people of God today.

The adversaries of God’s people are many and mighty – the world, the flesh, and the devil. But God’s answer to all his adversaries are mightier still. No matter how many unholy horses and corrupt chariots line up against us today to keep us from being all God is calling us to be, they are outnumbered by Omnipotence because our Master always has the majority. You are protected on all sides and will not be overcome by your opposition because “those who are with you are more than those who are with them.”

Are the forces of fear coming up against you? Are the armies of anxiety attacking from all sides? Are the powers of the prince of darkness pursuing you? Fear not! Look with the eye of faith today and you will see past whatever adversary it is you are facing to the Almighty who stands at the ready to give you victory. Remember, not only is it true that those who are with you are more than those who are with your enemies, but so much greater is the power at work within you than any power that comes up against you.

To be sure, the fighting will be fierce and the battle will be brutal, but the outcome will never be in question because the One who fights for you fights with a force that simply cannot be overcome. Remember, the Master and you always makes the majority. Just make sure you are looking through the eyes of faith.

This is the Gospel. This is grace for your race. NEVER FORGET THAT . . . AMEN!

He provides food for those who fear him; he remembers his covenant forever. (Psalm 111:5)

What a word of comfort we have before us today. Our God remembers all of His promises to us even when we provoke Him to want to forget! Here is what we all need to remember: it is His faithfulness to us . . . not our faithfulness to Him that causes Him to remember all of His promises.

Our God remembers His promises to us and never regrets making them. He knows we are but dust and drift from time to time from our duties. Yet, He has promised to never forget or forsake us. He remembers to provide for us our daily bread. He remembers to meet us in our place of deepest need. He remembers to forgive us again and again. And He remembers to love us with an everlasting love. When God makes a promise, we can count on it because no weapon formed can cause our faithful Redeemer to let a single Word to fall to the ground.

So, regardless of where this finds you today, remember your God remembers every promise He has made to you. Do you have a need in your personal life – take it to Jesus who remembers. Do you have a need in your professional life – take it to Jesus who remembers. When you fear God, with awe and reverence for His Holy Name, you have nothing else to fear for He has promised to meet all of your needs in the glorious riches of Christ Jesus.

One final word. Your God who remembers His promises to you will accomplish what He has promised but it often will not be in the way we expect. Our God knows the best way to fulfill His promises to us and He will always do for us what is best. And experience has taught me, when God does not meet our expectations, He is getting ready to exceed them. Let that truth set you free.

This is the Gospel. This is grace for your race. NEVER FORGET THAT . . . AMEN!

And the Lord said: “I have surely seen the oppression of My people who are in Egypt, and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters, for I know their sorrows.” (Exodus 3:7)

The people Israel were many years in bondage down in Egypt, but their sorrows were never out of sight of their God. What was true for the people of God ages ago is true for the people of God today, and that includes you.

When David was under the fiercest attacks from his enemies, his comfort was in knowing that God not only kept track of his sorrows, but also collected his tears (Psalm 56:8). God is intimately involved in the sorrows of His people to the extent that not a single tear falls to the ground unnoticed or uncollected. But there is even more. David says God records each one of our tears in His book. What an amazing picture that brings the confident assurance that God knows all of our sorrows.

Are you facing any sorrows of Egypt in your personal or professional life today? Remember, it was God who set the time of the deliverance of His people in Egypt. His plan for their exodus out of Egypt was delivered in His time and in His way. And it was delivered to meet them in their deepest place of need. God knows your headaches and your heartaches and He has not left you to fend for yourself for you have a High Priest who is “able to sympathize with our weaknesses” (Hebrews 4:15).

Many are the sorrows in this life. When you combine a broken world with broken people, sorrows are multiplied. Yet, God knows every sorrow we face and is already working His perfect plan to lift us out of it, but in His time and in His way. We must not question the Captain of our Salvation who is working all things for our good, even when the outward appearance says He is not. God did not forget His people in Egypt centuries ago and He has not forgotten His people in Egypt today.

This is the Gospel. This is grace for your race. NEVER FORGET THAT . . . AMEN!

By faith he [Moses] forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible. (Hebrews 11:27 – NKJV)

In reading today’s title, it would be easy to formulate the pictures of Moses, the great deliverer of God’s people, delivering the plagues to Pharaoh and leading the Israelites through the Red Sea. But I believe there is an often-missed picture of the might of Moses that can strengthen us in our faith today.

The might of Moses is to be found in the fact that he forsook Egypt – the power of Egypt, the prestige of Egypt, the prosperity of Egypt, the pleasure of Egypt, the popularity of Egypt – all while still in the land of Egypt in the palace of Pharaoh. How was it possible for Moses to do such a mighty thing? It is found in the fact that he feared God far more than he feared the king of Egypt. Moses set his faith and his fear on the only One worthy of our faith and our fear. He knew there was a God and it was not the earthly Pharaoh king.

The question we must ask ourselves is, “Are we willing to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin?” (Hebrews 11:25). What I have learned by painful experience is it is easy to forsake that which is no longer desirable to us for the sake of Christ. But it is far more difficult to forsake what still attracts our attention. Are we willing, like Moses, to forsake that which pleases us for that which pleases God? Are we willing to walk away from the sinful pleasures of this life for the supernatural promises of the next? 

Remember, when our Lord Jesus was offered the kingdoms of this world by Satan without suffering, He chose the way of His Father, a way marked by suffering and sorrow. To be sure, it’s not easy to forsake the things of this life, but it can and it must be done, if we are to be like our Lord in this life and the next.

This is the Gospel. This is grace for your race. NEVER FORGET THAT . . . AMEN!