God's Love Keeps Us Secure In Christ

"Today's Devotion" For September 20, 2005

Read: Jude 24-25; Colossians 1:3-14

GOD'S LOVE KEEPS US SECURE IN CHRIST

"...to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen." (Jude 25)

Do we live in a dangerous world? I suppose that depends on your perspective. If you believe that earthquakes - aftershocks in India from the December 28 earthquake and tsunami - are dangerous to human life and limb, then I guess you'd answer in the affirmative. Do we live in a dangerous world? Three week ago, yesterday, Hurricane Katrina decimated the Gulf Coast States. People died. People were hurt. People have taken ill. Last week I saw some pretty nasty devastation and a lot of hurting people when I visited Alabama and Mississippi. The news today is that Tropical Storm Rita could become at least a Category 1 hurricane - it could grow even stronger if it continues into the Gulf Coast States. I suppose if you would call hurricanes a danger to human life and limb then you'd agree that we live in a dangerous world. Do we live in a dangerous world? If you count terrorism, nuclear proliferation, genocide, murder in the streets of our cities, and other physical, psychological, emotional, and spiritual dangers, then, yes, it would seem that we live in a dangerous world.

No one wants to face danger in life. No one wants to experience harm of any kind. The truth is, however, that no one is ever perfectly safe and secure in life - too many things can affect us and harm us. At the same time, as we face the dangers of living, whether hurricanes, tornados, fire, epidemics, terrorism, war, nuclear proliferation, or murder in the streets, it's very important for us to realize that only the spiritual dangers can destroy us. Martin Luther, in his hymn, "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God," penned these words: "And take they our life, goods, fame, child and wife. Let these all be gone. They yet have nothing won. The Kingdom ours remaineth." For all who are hurting because of the power of the hurricane let these words bring comfort. For all who are hurting because of the fear and reality of terrorism let these words bring hope and peace. How marvelous it is to know for certain that it doesn't matter what kinds of dangers we face in this world, even the loss of our own live, no one can separate us from God's love for us in Jesus Christ.

Jude's words bring comfort to the people of God. Redeemed by Christ and restored in His righteousness to the loving arms of our Father in heaven, we are certain that God is in control at all times. Our Lord Jesus Christ has overcome the Devil, the world, and our flesh. He has made us His very own and will bring us before His throne in heaven "without fault" because we are covered by His righteousness and cleansed by His blood. He keeps us free from Sin's bondage and will not let us go astray. At the same time He empowers us to face every danger of this world with peace and hope, knowing that nothing can separate us from His love. There is always hope for God's people in the face of danger because our Father's glory, majesty, power and authority shows us He's in control. Ultimately, living in a dangerous world is made easier and more hopeful knowing that God's love keeps us secure in Christ.

Prayer: Father, I praise and glorify You because You have revealed Yourself to me in the gift of faith in Jesus. You have shown Yourself to me, not as an angry Judge, but a loving, gracious and merciful Father, sending Jesus to be my Savior and Lord. I am forgiven in Him. You have made me secure in Him so that I might have life abundantly, now, and forever in heaven. Help me to be a faithful and winsome ambassador of Your love for the world in Jesus so that others might have the same peace in Him that You have given me by Your grace and mercy. Guide me in my life to be an example of faithful living, secure in Jesus and unafraid of the dangers of the world. In Jesus' name I thank You for hearing me gracious Father. Amen.
************************************

--Pastor Boeck

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