What Are The Chances?
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What Are The Chances? By Harold Hunt (Palmerston North, New Zealand
This Great God of wonders Who is pouring out His Spirit on all flesh this day, is gathering unto Himself a people who will not be moved. Questions that have been asked (like those I have mentioned above) are being answered through Jesus Christ . . . and faith in His name. There are no chances in this Christ Who we know . . . but rather positive answers through a positive Redeemer. He has not left us in darkness, but has hidden us in Himself“in Whom there is no variation or shadow of turning” (James 1:17). He is “the light of the world” (John 8:12), but only those who turn to Him ever see this light. If we still walk in darkness we are walking in a world of chance, and we cannot see where to go. If we “walk in the light as He is in the light” (1 John 1:7), we can see where we are going, and our feet will be on sure ground. How comforting it is to know that Jesus our Lord has gone before us, as well as being in us, to guide and tend His sheep.
Oh! This Lamb of God ~ Who is “without spot or blemish” (1 Peter 1:19) ~ is so precious to us that living IN HIM is “joy unspeakable and full of glory” (1 Peter 1:8)! Why did they have to wound Him Who did them no harm, but rather “loved them with an everlasting love”(Jeremiah 31:3)? They were taking the chance that if they disposed of this Jesus then their consciences would be free of this sin that He spoke of, and the need to be born again would die with Him. The promise of the Holy Spirit, the Comforter (John 14:16-17), would die a natural death with Him, and the world could carry on pleasing themselves about God and His laws ~ crucify Him and bring to an end this Kingdom He spoke of! GOD HAS A PERFECT PLAN They took their chance ~ but God did not ~ for He had a perfect plan of Salvation, even for them if they repented. There is just not one chance in all God’s Word for you and me, but a wonderful plan of positive promises and grace. What chances did Jesus take for us? Praise the Lord, He took none! For what He did for us, he did knowing of a surety that “as many as believed on Him” would have eternal life (see John 3:14-21). His blood was shed, His life was given ~ not by chance, but by the will of God for us. When you come to Him out of that awful darkness, it is not by chance, but in God’s wonderful plan of Salvation for you! He had your personal Salvation planned before the foundation of the world! (Ephesians 1:4). When things happen in your life ~ and you are drawn nearer to Christ the Lord ~ His plans are being lived out in you. Never lose confidence in the Lord, for He is ever near and “His everlasting arms” (Deuteronomy 33:27) are around and beneath you, while His nail-scarred hands are holding you up. JUST ONE STEP WITH JESUS Just one step with Jesus is worth more than one hundred steps alone! Just one moment praising God is better than an hour of despair! Trusting in the Lord now is better than living the rest of your days for and by chance! No longer do we need to say, “Perhaps this . . . or probably that,” but rather let us say and believe that “all the Promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen” (2 Corinthians 1:20) to those who believe. Rise up, and let us “walk as children of the Light” (Ephesians 5:8)! If darkness surrounds you, rise higher, for “the Son of Righteousness has arisen with healing in His wings” (Malachi 4:2)! If you feel you are sinking, step on to the Rock, Christ Jesus ~ be steady and sure, taking no chances. If you feel you are missing out, reach out and touch the Lord. He is nearer than your breathing and has offered to take your burden. If you are discomforted, receive the Comforter, the Holy Spirit! Pentecost is for the 21st century just as much as it was in Acts Chapter 2! Do not be afraid of getting too much of the Lord, but “sell out” completely to Him . . . and what a miracle will take place! God’s ways are so far above ours that we must be lifted into them. Our ways are full of chances, but as we are lifted into His ways, this mighty magnetism and drawing power of Christ dispels every chance and fear ~ and this bond and unity of spirit causes us to “live and move and have our being” (Acts 17:28) in Him. JESUS NEVER FAILS! There is no earthly treasure or possession that does not have some chance, or risk with it. Our best financial investment can fail. Our most trusted friend can fail. Our most expensive appliance or vehicle can fail. Even our best intentions and plans can fail ~ but Jesus our Lord never fails! He is the One Who makes failures succeed! In fact, it is only when we realize what failures we are, that He can make us and mould us into His likeness! Are there chances we have to take in our daily living? The only time we do take chances is the time that we do things that we are uncertain about in God. We doubt, or maybe disobey God’s Word. “If we walk in the light as He is in the light” (1 John 1:7), our steps will not be uncertain; our way will be His way, and we will know definitely that we are abiding (living) in Him, and He in us. The Lord has a wonderful way of leading His sheep and, if we are in touch with Him in “spirit and in truth” (John 4:24 & John 6:63), He will lead us “beside the still waters . . . and in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake” (Psalm 23:2-3). If you are uncertain about anything in your life, take time to be alone with God, not forgetting to praise Him for what He has already done . . . and then “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding, and He will direct your paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6). You will not need to have to go asking for direction here and there ~ for God, by His Spirit, will direct you as your heart is made bare before Him. No chance, no risk; just simple faith in a loving Saviour! A lot of our trouble today is that we get caught up in this “never-ceasing, ever-increasing” pace of life which does not leave time for us to “Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (Matthew 6:33). I would encourage you to take and make time daily to be alone with the Lord, drawing near to Him in love and praise, and experiencing the priceless blessing in the presence of a living, loving, wonderful God. Commit your way to Him! Let Him lead you, and the hosts of hell will not prevail against you ~ because He that reigns is the King of kings and Lord of lords!
Dear Friend, If you have not as yet personally invited Jesus Christ to come into your life, then we invite you to do so right now. Please pray this prayer out loud: “Dear God in Heaven, I come to You in the name of Jesus Christ Your Son. I ask You to come into my heart and life, and fill me with Your wonderful peace. I repent of all my sins that I have committed against You, asking Your forgiveness. I am sorry, Lord. Cleanse me now with Your precious blood that was poured out at Calvary’s Cross for my freedom. I thank You that You have heard my prayer. I accept You now as Saviour and Lord of my life. In Jesus’ name, Amen.” If you have committed your life to Jesus Christ for the first time through this prayer, why not take a few minutes to write to us at: The Gospel Faith Messenger" Ministry. New Zealand. Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |