Daily Devotional – There is Even Better News


“Now you are the body of Christ,
and each one of you is a part of it”
I Corinthians 12:27

There is Even Better News
May 11, 2020 by Pastor Bob Huisman

Throughout history, when times are good, God has given a consistent and repeated warning to His people.  Listen to one of the examples from Deuteronomy 6.

Deuteronomy 6:10-12
“When the Lord your God brings you into the land he swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, to give you—a land with large, flourishing cities you did not build, houses filled with all kinds of good things you did not provide, wells you did not dig, and vineyards and olive groves you did not plant—then when you eat and are satisfied, be careful that you do not forget the Lord, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.”

God knows that human beings, the crown of his creation, will always be tempted to forget.
Tempted to forget the source of our blessings.  Tempted to forget the source of our freedom and our liberator.  When we turn our gaze from God and give our full attention to the good that is surrounding us, we are tempted to forget the Eternal One.

It is unlikely that people will look back on the days we are living in right now as the “good old days”.  In fact, many of us are waiting for this chapter to end and a new one to begin.  These are the kind of days in which we pray for deliverance.

Therefore, it stands to reason, that these are not the kind of days when we forget God; but instead, these are the kind of days in which we Remember.  We remember the Eternal One.  We remember our Creator.  We remember our Savior.  We remember.

We remember to pray.

When God spoke to Solomon, he assured him that when the pain of the present situation drives his people to pray for future deliverance, God will listen and forgive.  This is what God said,

2 Chronicles 7:14
“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

This is good news.  When we turn to God in times of trouble, He will listen to our prayers and forgive.

But There Is Even Better News!

In the Old Testament, God patiently waited for His people to turn back to Him.  He knew the pain of their present situation would turn their hearts to Him in prayer for future deliverance.  And he promised to listen and forgive.

In the New Testament, the even better news is that God turns to us in Jesus Christ before we turn to Him.  Listen to how the Apostle Paul describes our great God:

Romans 5:8
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

God turns to us in Jesus Christ and calls us to Him.  Draws us to Him.  Sometimes, even drags us toward Him.  God pulls us into Himself because He is our source of Life.  Life Eternal.

In the first letter of John, we are given this amazing promise – it sounds a lot like the OT promise we already read,

I John 1:9
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

I am sure that God’s promise is for you today.  Be reconciled to Him today.

God created you.  Christ died for you.  Live for Him!!

Prayer
Our Father in heaven, your name is holy.  Through Jesus Christ, your Son, make us holy O Lord as you are holy.  Fill us with your Spirit that we may be in step with you, O God.
In Jesus’ name, we pray, Amen.