Chose to Come

Daily Reading: Hebrews 2

Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. (Hebrews 2.14-15)

Devotional Thought: It was hard to say goodbye to the Youngs as they followed the call of God to serve him overseas.  I was impressed by the love of Joe and Cheryl - leaving family, familiarity, and comfort so that they might go to another culture and share the message of hope.  They could have stayed here.  They could have prayed from a distance.  They could have given an offering.  Instead, they chose – at the calling of God – to learn the language, the social customs, and even the driving laws of their host country.  To them, the mission of Christ isn’t an academic exercise – it is their entire life as they partake of the culture to which God has called them.

Jesus, who lived in the perfect health and peace of heaven, came to this place of sickness and strife so that he could partake of our culture, our flesh and blood.  He left his fellowship with the Father that he might enter fellowship with us.  And, not just so that he could have more “friends” to his credit, like we do on our Facebook pages.  No, he came to us, taking on our weakness, so that by his power he might deliver us from death!

How grateful I am for Christian servants like Joe and Cheryl.  But even more, I am thankful that Jesus was the ultimate servant, that he came to take on my flesh and blood so that he could enter death and defeat death on my behalf.  Praise the Lord!

Prayer:  I thank you, Jesus, that you did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but you emptied yourself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.  And being found in human form, you humbled yourself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.  Amen.  (Philippians 2.6-8)

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 51.7-15

7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

8 Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have broken rejoice.

9 Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities.

10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.

11 Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me.

12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.

13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will return to you.

14 Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, O God of my salvation, and my tongue will sing aloud of your righteousness.

15 O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise.