Rescued In Christ Jesus

"Today's Devotion" For August 14, 2006

Read: I Thessalonians 1:1-11; Psalm 31

RESCUED IN CHRIST JESUS

"For He (the Father) has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves, in Whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins." (Colossians 1:13, 14)

A ceasefire brokered by the UN goes into effect today in the Middle East between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon. Skirmishes still continue; people are still dying. The UN is supposed to insert a multinational peacekeeping force into southern Lebanon and the Lebanese Army is supposed to go into an area controlled by a Hezbollah military force which has usurped the Lebanese Army's authority for some time. Iran and Syria are trumpeting the ceasefire as a triumph over Israel. Iran is especially emboldened by this action to step up its propaganda attacks against the United States.

As we listen to this news and observe the behavior of the characters, it's clear that as much as things change they remain the same. One "war" is stopped only to open the door to another. Rhetoric is used to foment hatred, anger, discontent, prejudice, racism and just about anything other than peace. Politicians run around spouting platitudes as to how each of them has "the answer" for the world's problems, or, more specifically, the latest conflict.

Not only are there trouble spots in the world where people are fighting and dying, but there are also places where famine, disease, and hopelessness prevail. Inflation, we're told, especially encouraged by the continually rising cost of a barrel of crude oil, has the potential to decimate the economy of our nation as well as the world. Even those of means are finding that the dollar doesn't stretch as far as it used to. The burdens people feel on their lives and their hearts are getting heavier. God's people are also affected by these burdens in their own lives.

If anyone doubts that Sin is in the world, they only need to look at the evil that is evident in the events of the day - the fighting, the greed, the illness and disease and a host of other maladies of body, soul, and spirit fomented by Sin in our lives. Sin is the source of all the uncertainty, dismay, pain, and suffering in the world. While people everywhere are searching for hope, comfort, and peace in their lives and hearts, they're often looking in all the wrong places. Hope is a cherished blessings and people are seeking that hope in the face of all of life's uncertainties - hope that assures them that they can be saved from the power of Sin and the pain and suffering it brings into the world.

As we observe, and even feel, such yearning for hope and salvation in the face of death and destruction, hatred and despair, we are led to see the powerful hand of God rescuing us. By God's grace in Christ we are no longer subject to the vagaries of Sin and our own search for meaning and hope, but we are turned to Jesus Who is "the way, the truth, and the life," for all of God's people and for the whole world. The hope and peace of the world can't depend upon UN ceasefire resolutions, intervention of military force, or clever negotiations by politicians. Hope and peace are certainly not going to gain any traction from the political posturing and vitriol with which the leaders of various nations seek to gain the upper hand.

Hope and peace for the world is found nowhere else than in God's love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness in Jesus Christ. He is the "lamb of God that takes away the Sin of the World." By faith in Him we can be certain that it doesn't matter what happens in the world, we belong to Him and nothing can separate us from His love. He emphatically pronounces us to be His restored, redeemed children. And He reminds us that He has called us to the special task of being His disciples to a lost and dying world and bringing into their lives the Good News that a true and lasting peace is theirs through faith in Christ. (cf. Eph. 1:3-14)

Prayer: Father, as I enter into a new week, I realize that the pain and suffering we human beings put upon each other isn't going to end any time soon. At the same time, I thank You for the opportunities You give to me and all Your children to be living witnesses of Your peace for the world in Jesus. Thank You for the gift of faith in Christ so that I might know Your peace and joy, even in the midst of war, famine, and pestilence. Bless those in need of Your loving kindness and peace that they may also come to a point of peace in their lives, even in the face of the evil that seeks to destroy God's people and what He has created. Let my life be a witness to that peace and hope; in Jesus' precious name I pray. Amen.
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--Pastor Boeck

Copyright @2006 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.