July 17, 2019
Dear Praying Friends,
Thank you for your desire and willingness to continue in prayer for our prodigals and for revival each Wednesday. God hears and He is working!
The unnamed woman of Luke 7 discovered that Jesus was in the house of Simon the Pharisee, but she also knew that because of her reputation in town as a sinner she would be most unwelcome. With a pounding heart, she timidly entered the home with her most prized possession in her hands—a little flask of precious ointment. Despite the glaring gaze of the contemptuous men, she found her way to Jesus and there, in His presence, she was safe. Safe from the mean and derisive gestures. Safe from the angry and abusive words. Safe from the unthoughtful and uncaring men. This doesn’t mean that they had left or that their feelings, looks, and words had stopped. No, they were still present, but so was Jesus. He was there to guard, deflect, and protect her from whatever danger would come her way. How beautiful this is!
Paul wrote to the Roman believers who had been hearing similar accusing words from the enemy flank being hurled at them. But, like the woman, their hearts had been changed and their sins forgiven. Paul asked them a series of questions to remind them of God’s protection: If God is for us who can be against us? Who shall bring any charge against God’s people? Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword, or hurtful words, or unkind actions, or malevolent looks? Okay, those last three I added. The answer to all these questions is a resounding “No!” Paul declared, “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us” (Rom.8:37). Our victory over any and all injustice is Christ. Like the woman, like the Romans, we need to stick close to Him.
He was, He is, and He always will be the place to which we, His wounded people, can flee. In fact, He is waiting for us to run to Him. The music group, Rend Collective, sings it well:
This is the art of celebration,
Knowing we're free from condemnation.
Oh praise the One, praise the One,
Who made an end to all my sin.
Boldly I approach Your throne,
Blameless now I'm running home.
By Your blood, I come
Welcomed as Your own
Into the arms of majesty.
Whatever the accusations, find your way to back to Jesus, let His love fill your heart, and let Him take care of those who denounce you. He will keep you safe.
Thanks again,
Bryan and Rachel
