Devotion
Hi Faith Family!
"He has made me glad, he has made me glad. I will rejoice for he has made me glad!"
Praying you are healthy and glad today as we take our trip together to the cross.
Are you glad? I have a friend who commonly expresses his likes and dislikes in this way. He'll say, "I'm very glad about that," for example. I like to hear my friend speak in this way. I like to be reminded about being glad.
His style of speech makes me consider what it is that makes me glad. How about you? What makes you glad?
Above all the other things on your list of what makes you glad, Jesus reigns supreme. He has for so many, and for so long. Consider the reaction of the crowd in Mark 12, when Jesus was teaching the people, challenging them to wrestle with Scripture prophecies about the Savior:
"The large crowd listened to him with delight."
The term "delight" is usually termed "gladly." The people were glad to hear Jesus teach and challenge them. He has made them glad.
Even more than his words, his actions make us glad today. The teacher did more than speak. He gladly let himself be led as a sacrifice for our frequent unspiritual takes on life events, our common selfishness, and occasional bitterness. The ugliness of our sinful attitudes was expunged from our record through the actions of Jesus, our Savior. Your guilt trip--your trip to the cross today--is a reminder that Jesus has removed the very thing that made you untenable to God; namely, your sin.
I encourage you to see his reaction to you--though you didn't deserve it, Jesus loved you. The proof is what Jesus did to save you. Jesus loves you and will be with you as you now gladly make your way through life. May this freshen your steps as you serve God in whatever calling He has given you today. I pray we are all overwhealmed with wonder at the amazing things Jesus did in order to make us a part of his family now and forever. What fantastic benefits result from this guilt trip! What a loving and committed God we have who will be with us every day until he calls us home. God bless your day! He has made you glad!
Prayer idea: Give thanks for your Savior Jesus and all he endured for your soul's salvation. Spend a moment to consider Jesus' time on the cross, giving thanks for his committed love toward you. Pray for someone you know who does not yet believe in Jesus.
Blessings on your week!
--Pastor Dan