A Nugget from New Life Network
Scripture for the Day – February 24, 2020
Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; (2 Corinthians 11:25)
If anybody ever had an excuse to blame God, the Apostle Paul was a prime candidate. He was bitten by a poisonous snake, shipwrecked, thrown into prison, beaten, and more. What was it that kept him from falling into despair and misery? What kept him from blaming God? What kept him from quitting and losing hope? His relationship with the Word (Jesus) is the answer, and it is still the answer for all of us.
For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. (Hebrews 4:15)
For we do not have a High Priest Who is unable to understand and sympathize and have a shared feeling with our weaknesses and infirmities and liability to the assaults of temptation, but One Who has been tempted in every respect as we are, yet without sinning. (AMPC)
The word temptation is usually associated by us with some sin like lust, but that is not the main thrust of this Greek word. The main target of temptation is to test and steal our faith. Such things as sickness, calamities, hard times, etc. are examples of such temptations.
For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succor (come to the aid of) them that are tempted. (Hebrews 2:18)
It’s obvious, of course, that he didn’t go to all this trouble for angels. It was for people like us, children of Abraham. That’s why he had to enter into every detail of human life. Then, when he came before God as high priest to get rid of the people’s sins, he would have already experienced it all himself—all the pain, all the testing—and would be able to help where help was needed. (The Message)
Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Hebrew 8:33-39)
Christ is not the one that condemns!!! That is really important to know when going through challenging times. It is Satan who is the accuser of the brethren. Don’t listen to him!!! It is Jesus who knows how you feel and He will never leave you or forsake you. Hang on to Him and His Word!!!
