Relief
Wednesday, October 26, 2022
Good Morning, Lord
Verse of the Day: Acts 3:19 Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord,
Memory verse: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).
Today's reading: JEREMIAH 9-11 1 TIMOTHY 6
The Feeling Of Good News
"That is such a relief!", the father said to his wife on the news that their child's fever had broken...
...or when the news came that the man had been found alive...
...and when the news came of the victory in the war and thousands celebrated in the streets...
...and on and on. There have been millions of times when folks felt a great sigh of relief.
Relief is said by some to be the greatest feeling of emotion that humans feel. Can you think of any greater?
...When the job is complete or the cancer is gone or the children are all safe...
Usually, relief comes from good news. There are few exceptions, respectfully, but we want to zero in on hearing the 'good news'.
I knew a veteran from World War II who had been a pilot over Europe. Captain Bob was shot down in France and taken prisoner by the Germans. A single-file march of a group of prisoners through a brushy area afforded Bob a chance to escape. Then he was aided by the French underground and got back to England and was back flying within a few weeks. He talked about his great relief when the Frenchman spoke in broken English, "I will help you get back".
Luke 4:17&18 says, "... the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to Him. Unrolling it, He(Jesus) found the place where it was written: 18“The Spirit of the Lord is on Me, because He has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to release the oppressed".
Jesus was sent to 'preach and proclaim'. He was sent that some could hear His voice of freedom and healing.
Luke 18:35-43
35 As Jesus came near the city of Jericho, a blind man was sitting beside the road, begging. 36 When he heard the people coming down the road, he asked, "What is happening?" 37 They told him, "Jesus, from Nazareth, is going by." 38 The blind man cried out, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"
Just the news that Jesus was passing by...that was to the blind man's chance to see and He cried for mercy.
The Bible goes on:
When he came near, Jesus asked him, 41 “What do you want me to do for you?”
He said, “Lord, I want to see.”
42 Jesus said to him, “Then see.
Jesus heard exactly what the man wanted. The blind man heard exactly what he wanted. There is no way for us to even imagine what relief the blind man felt. Yes, He could see, but it was the voice of Jesus...
We are surrounded by the poor, blind, captive, and oppressed. We are to be the voice of Jesus to deliver the message of His deliverance-His healing-His relief.
What is the greatest relief you have ever felt? In loving our neighbor as the scripture says, the Lord has given us a chance to feel something greater than relief. It is the feeling God gives us when we have delivered the message of Christ's deliverance, in obedience and love, and someone has been set free. We are allowed to see the Holy Spirit speak freedom to the lost. We are given this by God's heart. We see new birth of a soul.
Have you been there at that place? Sometimes, there is much time or pain or trouble in getting to this place. Sometimes, we do not get to be there. Sometimes, it is just the knowing we have been obedient to our Father as we have spoken Christ's love and in the Father's patience that brings us His relief. Imagine that-relief in obedience-from hearing our own voice speak the divine truth of the One who loves us most.
One day, there will be something far beyond the simple feeling of relief-when we hear:
"Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ Matthew 25:21
So remember:
Matthew 6:33
33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
...because He loves us...
Father in Heaven,
Forgive me for running after these earthly gods. Forgive me my greed. Let my obedience and your power see victory for the blind around me.
Master healer and merciful God,
In the name of Christ Jesus,
Amen
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