In Him We Live!

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: Whether I'm laughing or lamenting, I want to have someone share life with me.  In Jesus we have that Someone who sticks closer than a brother.

What a wonderful thought!  Jesus, the very Son of God, left his glory in order that he might enter into our weakness and redeem us from sin.  He wrenched the harshest weapon –death – from the hand of the enemy and turned it against the Kingdom of Darkness.  He burst forth from the grave triumphant over death!  Such was the power of Life that Death could not hold it.  Death no longer has mastery over you and me because Jesus entered into it and conquered it!

But, in order to do that, he had to first share in all our weakness.  Only in this way could he become susceptible to death.  Remember that when you feel weak.  Jesus has “Been there.  Done that.”  And he came out victorious!  The cross was a sign of weakness, yet in Jesus it has become the greatest symbol of victory ever displayed by sons and daughters of men!  There is no weakness, no handicap, no hardship, no trial, no sickness, no death – that cannot be redeemed by the victory of Jesus when he came forth from the grave.  That’s why the Apostle Paul taught us that we could glory in our weaknesses because in them Jesus is strong!  We can face them without fear because the greatest weakness – death itself – is defeated!

I have heard it said – and I’ve said it myself – that we are not in the land of the living, rather we dwell in the land of the dying.  That is true, but Jesus came into this territory with us and sets us free from its mastery over our lives.  In him we live!

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, that you came into our world of sickness to heal us, into our world of weakness to strengthen us, into our world of death to give us life.  I receive these gifts of health, strength and life today.  Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 50:16-23

16 But to the wicked person, God says: “What right have you to recite my laws or take my covenant on your lips?

17 You hate my instruction and cast my words behind you.

18 When you see a thief, you join with him; you throw in your lot with adulterers.

19 You use your mouth for evil and harness your tongue to deceit.

20 You sit and testify against your brother and slander your own mother’s son.

21 When you did these things and I kept silent, you thought I was exactly like you. But I now arraign you and set my accusations before you.

22 “Consider this, you who forget God, or I will tear you to pieces, with no one to rescue you:

23 Those who sacrifice thank offerings honor me, and to the blameless I will show my salvation.”