Christ's Love Helps Us Overcome Fear

"Today's Devotion" For May 3, 2005

Read: John 3:16-21; Psalm 46

CHRIST'S LOVE HELPS US OVERCOME FEAR

"For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life" (Jn. 3:16)

One of the most prominent and enduring African American preachers in America in the last fifty years has been The Rev. Dr. E. V. Hill of Los Angeles. I'm not certain if he's still living or is with Jesus, but his life's story, especially that of his ministry for Jesus, is quite remarkable. Some years ago my wife, Susan, and I had the privilege of meeting and hearing Dr. Hill speak at the Billy Graham School of Evangelism in Wheaton, Illinois. He struck me as a quite remarkable man, a powerful preacher, and a faithful child of God. The story of Pastor Hills' ministry also reminds me of David's words in Psalm 46, "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear..." (vv. 1, 2a).

Pastor Hill spoke of a personal crisis during the Watts riots that occurred during the 1960's in Los Angeles. A fellow pastor had been killed and Pastor Hill had been receiving death threats telling him he would be the next victim. One day, after arriving home just a bit earlier than normal, Pastor Hill received a phone call threatening his life. The look on his face prompted his wife to ask who had called. His response was, "Some things you don't need to know." Obviously, if he had come home later, at his usual time, she would have received the call. He was trying to protect her, yet Mrs. Hill, a faithful and loving wife, sensed the danger and pressed Dr. Hill about the call. Finally he confessed that the caller had said, "Don't be surprised if you discover a bomb in your car."

When he arose the next morning Pastor Hill noticed his car missing from the driveway. He was just about to call out to his wife, whom he assumed was fixing breakfast in the kitchen, that his car had been stolen when he saw it come around the corner and stop in the driveway. The door opened and his wife got out of the car and came into the house. "Where have you been?" he asked. She replied, "I decided that if someone was going to be killed, I'd rather it be me." Dr. Hill recounts, "I have never again asked my wife if she loved me."

What incredible love! What a marvelous example of sacrificial love! Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ came to earth and took on human flesh so that He could bear the burden and guilt of our sins upon Himself, in our place. He not only took on the guilt of our sins, but He bore them on the Cross for us so that the Father forsook Him and not us. Jesus died the death that all humanity should rightfully die because of Sin. He paid the price for Sin in our place, suffering the agony of total separation from God so that we don't have to ourselves. Mrs. Hill's action on behalf of her husband is truly reflective of that sacrifice of Christ for us. She had no idea if that car would blow up or not. She was wiling to put her life on the line to save her husband's life if necessary. Her action is a powerful example of what it means to love as Christ has loved us. As we touch the lives of those whom we love and others whom we meet each day, we also have opportunities to be sacrificial in our lives of service to others in Jesus' name. We have the precious gift of the forgiveness of sins to share with others. Our Lord Jesus Christ Himself calls us to follow in His footsteps according to His words, "Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends" (Jn. 15:13).

Prayer: Father, Your gracious love is so great that You sent Jesus to take on the burden of sin and the death I deserve for it. As You have loved and forgiven me freely by Your grace through Jesus’ sacrifice for me, help me to love others sacrificially as well. Fill me with the courage of faith and the sure hope of heaven in Christ Jesus, my Savior and Lord, so that I might be a living witness to His great sacrifice of life and love for the whole world. Let my life be a living example of that love so that others might see Jesus through me. Father, by the power of Your Word and Spirit, empower me to be an effective witness to Your love for the world in Jesus so that others might come to know Your love in Christ an be saved for You to all eternity. In the precious and most holy name of Jesus I pray. Amen.
************************************

--Pastor Boeck

Copyright © 2005 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.