Perspectives

Hebrew 4:14-16… 14) Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 15) For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are – yet he did not sin. 16) Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. (NIV)

We look at our Lord’s life and death here on earth, listen to His words, and say, “Here is someone who understands what I am going through!” He has experienced all our years of heartaches and bitterness. He knows how difficult it is to burn the bridges we are called to destroy; He understands our indifference and our soul’s resistance to change. He understands the power of sensual attraction. He has felt the arrogance of others; He has seen their smirks and amused smiles; He has experienced coldness and the inability of others to understand. He knows. He understands… We can approach Him.

Doubts: will they come? Yes. Should we be alarmed, thinking that our faith has failed? We should counteract this by reminding ourselves of their source – Satan. He is a liar. What he says about God is not true. Then we can renew our minds and strengthen our hearts with the truth that God is a God who does not lie. There is nothing like Christ’s presence to dispel the fear, the panic, the terror of the unknown.

We live a most uncertain life. Any hour can bring disaster, danger, and distress from many unknown quarters. Life is sometimes full of hazards. Not one of us can tell what a day will produce in terms of new trouble. We live in either a sense of anxiety, fear, or troublesome times. Or in a sense of quiet rest.

When I feel all is lost, suddenly there comes the awareness, the consciousness, the realization that the Holy Spirit is there. It makes all the difference. Things are not so black or nearly so terrifying. The outlook has changed and there is hope. Then we find ourselves delivered from fear. Rest returns, and we can relax. It is the special work of God’s gracious Spirit that communicates, that transmits the sense of Christ to our fearful hearts. He comes quietly to reassure us that Christ Himself is aware of our problem and deeply involved in it with us. The Bible teaches us that Christ will bring peace to a troubled heart. That means Jesus Christ delivers us from tension, rivalry, and cruel competition within our circle of friends. Should we allow the devil to suck us into this quagmire, it would not take us long to find that envy shows its ugly face. This is where the smallest things can grow into horrible hate. It is where ill-will and contempt come into being, the place where heated rivalry and deep discontent are born. It is here that dissatisfaction gradually grows into a covetous way of life where one must be forever standing up for themselves, to claim their rights, or in other words, standing up just to get ahead of the crowd.

Being close to Christ means being aware of His ever-present presence made real in our minds, emotions, and wills by the indwelling gracious Spirit. It is to be set free from fear of our peers and whatever they might think of us. Most of us would much rather have friends we can trust than occupy the first place in society if we had attained it by fighting, quarreling, and bitter rivalry with our fellow human beings. Finally, there is the wider but equally thrilling awareness of God all around us. We who live surrounded by His presence are open individuals, subject to His scrutiny. He is mindful of every situation we contend with because we belong to Him.

To God Be the Glory, Great Things He Has Done.

Would you pray this prayer with me? “Lord Jesus, come into my heart. Forgive my sins. I want my life to change. My thoughts and my attitude need to change. I do not have the peace in my heart that I yearn for. I want that peace, joy and happiness that fulfills my heart’s desire. Please let the Holy Spirit help me be the kind of Christian that will honor Your Name. Amen”