We Need Him 5

Revelation 1:17-18

In an episode of the television show M*A*S*H many years ago, the character of Doctor “Hawkeye” Pierce performed a risky procedure on an injured soldier. After the operation Hawkeye made a comment to the patient that one reason the surgery had been successful was because the patient had looked at the doctor with confidence. The doctor knew the patient trusted him, and with that trust the doctor had his own confidence.

In Revelation we have an account of the visions God gave to a man named John. The book ultimately is a message of hope for humanity, although some images may be disturbing. John’s first encounter with the Lord, in fact, is somewhat overwhelming.

How did John react? What encouragement does Jesus give? What qualities does Jesus profess about himself?

As we examine our own situations, looking at our physical health needs and our emotional needs, we must first determine if we trust Jesus enough to turn to him for the healing we might need. Who is this Jesus? Is he just a smart teacher or wise philosopher? Was he a trickster or a clever magician?

No, absolutely not. Jesus was and still is the very Son of God. He is the Beginning and the End. He holds the keys of death and Hades. Jesus is the one who is in control of all things.

With that knowledge, with that confidence and assurance, we can turn to Jesus with complete trust and faith. He is able to heal us of our physical infirmities. He is able to ease our troubled hearts and minds. He is able to cleanse a sin-sick soul.

As we consider how Jesus encounters us, as we see Jesus as the Great Physician whom we need, let us bear in mind always the power and authority that Jesus has.

DAILY CHALLENGE: How can you be confident as you turn to Jesus?

Financially Content 2

Mark 8:33-37

As Christians, especially so soon after Easter, we are all keenly aware of the sacrifices Jesus made for the benefit of all people. We can take away from the account in Mark 8:31-38 the struggle that Jesus was having in facing the work he needed to do in approaching the cross. He has told the disciples of his impending crucifixion, and on hearing this Peter rebukes Jesus for considering this.

That is when Jesus tells Peter, “Get behind me, Satan.” (Mark 8:33) In other words, don’t tempt me to stray from what I need to do. What are we called to do? What important message is given in verses 36 and 37?

We can certainly put a value on our home and on most of our possessions. We can put a dollar amount on our furniture, our car, and our insurance policy. We can make a list of our income amount and how much we spend each month on necessary items and unnecessary costs.

But what is the value of our soul? No matter how much money we have in the world, no matter what our income or what we own, what is the value of our soul?/p>

Does surrounding ourselves with possessions and objects make us better people? Is the true worth of a person measured in what is owned or in who we are?

The answer, of course, is that our true value is in the integrity of our lives and the goodness we can bring to the kingdom of God. It does us no good to amass material possessions and be horrible, greedy and uncaring people. We are called to be holy just as Jesus was holy. And often this endeavor, to focus ourselves on what is valuable to God, can be a struggle. In that struggle we may need to command the Satans of our lives – the desire for material gain, our possessions, our selfishness – to get behind us so that we are not distracted from our worthy goal.

We should be content with what we are given by God, content with having enough for our lives. We should focus on giving ourselves and our energies to God and not to building a kingdom of wealth.

DAILY CHALLENGE: What can we do to put the “Satan” of greed behind us?

Helper 2

Psalm 42:1-2

Years ago we used to visit a web site that had cameras positioned at African watering holes. The camera took photos every thirty seconds or so and then published them to the Internet. You could watch these pictures and in time see a wide variety of animals coming to drink – lions, elephants, hyenas, gazelles, and zebras.

You never knew what you might see. But the same was true of the animals. They never knew what other animal might already be at the watering hole when they arrived. But it didn’t matter. They needed to drink.

This psalm presents a similar image. To what animal does the psalmist compare our souls? Who does the writer’s soul thirst for? What is the question asked?

Water is that life-giving element that all creatures need to survive. The image of a deer in a parched land longing to take a deep drink of fresh water conjures up an image of desperate need and longing.

Like the writer of the psalm, we too should thirst for the presence of God in our lives. We too desperately need to be renewed through the life-giving abilities of God. That sensation of thirst that we can all identify with at one time or another should be similar to the desire of our souls. We should desperately desire to have our own spirits refreshed by God.

But we do not have to wait until we feel desperation or hopelessness. The psalmist asks “When can I go and meet with God?” The answer is that at any time we can turn to the Lord and allow our spirits to be in His refreshing presence. And if we are able to meet with God, spend time in prayer and communion with the living God, then we will always have that source of strength and renewing energy to face our lives.

The spiritual thirst that is described is something we must surely feel every day, and something we should feel every day. Our time with God does not need to be limited to our times of desperation. Instead we should always ask “When can we meet with God?”

And we should know that the answer is “now, always.” We can always stand in the presence of God and feel His refreshing presence.

DAILY CHALLENGE: Take time daily to meet with God.