(Psalms 6:9) “The LORD has heard my plea; the LORD accepts my prayer.”
It is never easily received, the Word of life, it is rather fascinating how volatile we are as humans. Yesterday one of our golfers almost opened his eyes on the other side of death. A golf ball hit Sean on the head a couple of centimeters to the left and he may no longer be breathing to tell his story. One thing is for sure, God has afforded him another opportunity to find repentance; will he find it I wonder! Pray For him by name, Sean Tarry!
How much thought was actually given to the seriousness of this encounters potential outcome? One minute he sat obliviously staring at his phone probably contemplating some business proposition without any fear of danger and the next instant he lay hunched over in his golf cart as he clutched his head in agony with the thought of his two young son’s flashing through his mind as he wondered would he ever see them again. The three bystanders who made up their four-ball looked on in total despair after hearing a crack as the ball rocketed against his skull with panic setting in as their adrenaline race and their minds wondering, would he live. He was shipped off to the Margate Hospital and thoroughly examined; thankfully I can say after a cat-scan he was released from hospital and this morning he seems to be recovering well.
It is rather surprising how God opens doors for us to proclaim His goodness, I am thankful that an incident like this opened the door to speak about death, judgment and our great Saviour victory on the cross. He has heard the greatest of all stories ever told, he knows about Calvary and our great Saviours sacrifice, but then again so do so many know it as a distant story, I pray it becomes his reality.
Then there is Lawrence a man full of questions, I take absolute comfort in the fact that our God is the God of impossibilities, He is able to save from the uttermost to the uttermost, and my prayer is that He chooses to do exactly that in this particular case.
Lets us be obedient children as we constantly commit those who God brings across our paths to Him in prayer. We can but only ever leave them at our Great Redeemer feet depending upon His mercy and His saving grace, remembering that there was a time in our lives when we where prayed for to find repentance. Again I mention names and ask that we pray for them in person; freely we have received now freely we must give; Lance, Mark, Derek, Mitch, Christo and Sean have heard about the Gospel and have no doubt obviously processed that information is some form, but we also know that even the demons believe and tremble; it will never be enough to believe as a bystander we must find repentance in Christ as He then becomes our personal Saviour. I love the simplicity of the Gospel and the Apostle Paul teachers us its essence; “For the Scripture says, "Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame." For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Romans 10:11-13) – Let us understand what that should mean for us who now believe as well as for those who are have enquiring minds seeking out this truth…
For this (Rom_10:11) he quotes Isa_28:16, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed; ou kataischunthēsetai. That is, [a.] He will not be ashamed to own that Christ in whom he trusts; he that believes in the heart will not be ashamed to confess with the mouth. It is sinful shame that makes people deny Christ, Mar_8:38. He that believeth will not make haste (so the prophet has it) - will not make haste to run away from the sufferings he meets with in the way of his duty, will not be ashamed of a despised religion. [b.] He shall not be ashamed of his hope in Christ; he shall not be disappointed of his end. It is our duty that we must not, it is our privilege that we shall not, be ashamed of our faith in Christ. He shall never have cause to repent his confidence in reposing such a trust in the Lord Jesus. The first words express the design of the apostle through these verses, that there is no difference between Jews and Gentiles, but they stand upon the same level in point of acceptance with God. In Jesus Christ there is neither Greek nor Jews, Col_3:11. God doth not save any nor reject any because they are Jews, nor because they are Greeks, but doth equally accept both upon gospel terms: There is no difference. For the proof of this he urges two arguments: -
I. That God is the same to all: The same Lord over all is rich unto all. There is not one God to the Jews who is more kind, and another to the Gentiles who is less kind; but he is the same to all, a common father to all mankind. When he proclaimed his name, The Lord, the Lord god, gracious and merciful, he thereby signified not only what he was to the Jews, but what he is and will be to all his creatures that seek unto him: not only good, but rich, plenteous in goodness: he hath wherewith to supply them all, and he is free and ready to give out to them; he is both able and willing: not only rich, but rich unto us, liberal and bountiful in dispensing his favours to all that call upon him. Something must be done by us, that we may reap of this bounty; and it is as little as can be, we must call upon him. He will for this be enquired of (Eze_36:37), and surely that which is not worth the asking is not worth the having. We have nothing to do but to draw out by prayer, as there is occasion.
II. That the promise is the same to all (Rom_10:13): Whoever shall call - one as well as another, without exception. This extent, this undifferencing extent, of the promise both to Jews and Gentiles he thinks should not be surprising, for it was foretold by the prophet, Joe_2:32. Calling upon the name of the Lord is here put for all practical religion. What is the life of a Christian but a life of prayer? It implies a sense of our dependence on him, an entire dedication of ourselves to him, and a believing expectation of our all from him. He that thus calls upon him shall be saved. (Matthew Henry)
As we have called and continue to call upon the name of our Great Saviour I pray that these men may also learn to become dependent upon Him and call upon the name of the Lord as they find life in Him, whatever the cost!
We know that we do not pray to some dumb idol but to the only true living God, a God who is touched with the feelings of our infirmities and we know that our prayers do not fall on deaf ears. Praise the name of Jesus! He alone has it in His power to save, Amen!
The words of David; “The LORD has heard my plea; the LORD accepts my prayer.” (Psalms 6:9)
Signing off
Tyrone
No comments:
Post a Comment