Now and Always

 

Now and Always

Hebrews 7: ²³ There is another difference: there were many of those other priests, because they died and could not continue their work. ²⁴ But Jesus lives on forever, and his work as priest does not pass on to someone else. ²⁵ And so he is able, now and always, to save those who come to God through him, because he lives forever to plead with God for them.

 

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Looking around for my building materials, I found the perfect items that would “last.” I got an old blanket and some sticks I found to use as the poles of my tent. I then found some rocks that would stabilize the bottom of the tent. “This is invincible” I thought to myself. The next day I went out to enjoy the tent, only to find it laying flat and wet. It had rained and my flimsy design did not last.

 

• I thought the thing “I” built would last.
• I thought I had built something strong when it was really very weak.
• I thought I had built something permanent, but it did not last a day.

 

Paul, the assumed writer, points out a difference between JESUS and human priests. JESUS, after the resurrection, would never die. Human priests, were susceptible to death, therefore their ability to plea to GOD on behalf of everyone was limited.

 

My Observations:

• My belief in JESUS’ power to forgive me gives me eternal life.
• If a question were to come up later about my sin, JESUS would always be three to say I am forgiven.
• There is no sin I have committed, or will ever commit, that will break my relationship with JESUS.

 

When JESUS saved me it was permanent. I mean, sometimes I think that if I temporarily act “good” then my salvation is in “my” hands. I could not be further from the truth. JESUS saved me in the middle of my sin, while I was committing them. HE also knew I could not stay on my diet of being good, so HE decided to do something a little more permanent.

 

HIS death, burial and resurrection became the covenant that made me and you able to be saved forever. HE forgives me retrospectively and perpetually . In other words, “all” my sins are forgiven! I am glad I have a permanent relationship with the one who saves, namely JESUS!.

 

Challenge

• What work is the writer talking about?
• Have you ever made a plan that turned out to be flimsy and it fell apart?
• Will you place your hope in JESUS, who can save you in this life and the next, today?

Redeemed From Abandonment

Isaiah 54: ⁷ “For a brief moment I abandoned you,
    but with deep compassion I will bring you back.
⁸ In a surge of anger
    I hid my face from you for a moment,
but with everlasting kindness
    I will have compassion on you,”
    says the Lord your Redeemer.

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Crying was the only tactic I could pull off at that time. I ran to the parking lot and there was no bus. The group I had arrived with left without me. I felt abandoned. When I won awards and accolades I was surrounded at work. When a new group of leaders came in, no one came around me. I felt abandoned again.

• Sometimes I have felt abandoned.
• Sometimes I have felt left behind.
• Sometimes I have felt lost and alone with no one to guide me.

Trusted people have dropped me out of their lives which left me with the feeling of abandonment, even when I cried out to GOD, it felt like HIS silence was deafening. BUT GOD said “I AM here.”

• When I stopped following GOD, HE allowed me to feel abandoned.
• When I sought GOD’s face HE welcomed me back with open arms.
• When I sought my own path GOD hid HIS face from me.
• When I asked HIM for forgiveness HE poured it out on me like a flood.

Even when GOD allows me to step away from HIM for a minute, HE never leaves me. HE carefully watches over me and still provides for me. HE brings me back to HIM because I would not seek HIS face. HE washes me up and gives me everlasting kindness. GOD is my redeemer.

• Are you lonely even in a crowd?
• Has a trusted person abandoned you?
• Can you forgive that person even though you may never forget?
• Will you allow GOD to bring you back to HIM so HE can pour out HIS everlasting kindness on you?

Names to think about

Isaiah 9: ⁶ For to us a child is born,
    to us a son is given,
    and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
    Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
⁷ Of the greatness of his government and peace
    there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne
    and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
    with justice and righteousness
    from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the Lord Almighty
    will accomplish this.

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Bleeding and bruised, I walked home with a friend after a bully had sat on my chest. Thought he never laid a finger on me, my attempts to escape caused me to scrape up my arm. Waiting on a bus in the rain made me soaked to the bone. Then the bus came and splashed us from head to toe. There were no dry seats on the bus.

Sitting on the side of the road, I waited for my car to work. I would start it and it would only go about 10 miles before dying. The normally two hour trip took nine. How can I praise during these times?

• There are times where things seem to go wrong by the dozens.
• There are times where things seem to go from bad to worse.
• There are times where things seem to go in a really bad direction and I cannot do anything about it.

External circumstances, bad news or rotten behavior of someone else could cause me to carry the problem the rest of the day. I mean did the bus driver really have to run through the puddle? I ask myself. BUT GOD wants me to focus on something else.

• GOD wants me to think about the “Wonderful Counselor” because HE knows I will have bad days.
• GOD wants me to know HE is a “Mighty GOD” and can handle any situation.
• GOD wants me to believe HE is the “Everlasting FATHER” who provides what I need, when I need it.
• GOD wants me to understand HE is the “Prince of Peace” and I can have peace in this situation and the next.

Looking back on the calamity, I can see that GOD was there all along. HE protected me from being harmed even though the situation that I was going through at the time felt very uncomfortable. HE was always there and still is. HE brings me peace in the middle of the storm and shows me mercy I do not deserve.

• Are you so deep in your storm that you cannot hear GOD?
• Is the circumstance you are in so difficult that you feel lost?
• Can you take a moment to call GOD Wonderful, Mighty and Everlasting without expecting something?