Not too many years ago the California Highway Patrol was placing ads on local radio stations trying to contact the thief who had stolen a Volkswagen Beetle. And you’ll never guess the reason why.
Before we get to that, welcome to “Mornings with Bishop Robert” — I’m pleased that you’ve decided to join me this morning. My goal is to introduce people to the Jesus they never knew, and help them get to know Him and His word personally – and better ! If our time together today speaks to your heart, then let me invite you to like, subscribe and share it with a friend!
BOLO – It stands for “Be On The Look Out” in police parlance. As I was saying, southern California had initiated an intense search, sending a BOLO to all patrol cars with a description of the vehicle. Additionally, they issued a multi-agency broadcast to all police vehicles in the region and were even running public service announcements on the radio to get the attention of the thief. Why? Well, on the front seat of the car was a box of crackers laced with poison which the car owner had intended to use to take care of some rats in his warehouse. Now the police and the owner of the Volkswagen Beetle were more interested in apprehending the thief to save his life than to recover the car. Often when we run from God, we think it is to escape His punishment. But what we are actually doing is eluding His rescue.
Today’s verse says THE LORD IS FAITHFUL, AND HE WILL STRENGTHEN YOU AND PROTECT YOU FROM THE EVIL ONE.
God is faithful, even when we can’t see how He is being faithful. He protects us in ways that are far less than obvious.
Let me give you an illustration from Ravensbruck, one of the vilest German concentration camps during World War II. Two Christian sisters who had been hiding Jews from the Nazis were sent there, Corrie ten Boom and her sister Betsie. When they arrived, they were disgusted to discover that their barracks were infested with fleas. When Corrie began to complain, Betsie insisted that they instead give thanks, reminding her of the bible verse that instructs believers, “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” With some persuasion, Corrie finally joined her sister in thanking God for the fleas. Several months later, the two sisters expressed their surprise that the camp guards had never come back to their barracks to disrupt or prevent the evening Bible studies they held for their fellow prisoners. It was then that Corrie realized that the very fleas which she had so despised had actually been a God-sent protection from the cruel guards.
The Lord IS faithful. He is faithful when you are passing through mild difficulties and also when you’re holding on for dear life. But let me tell you, it MATTERS what you’re holding on to! If you want something unmoveable to hold onto, let me suggest that you hold onto the instruction God gives in His word for how to deal with the situations you face. He tells us to grab hold of His instruction and HANG ON and do not let go, because it will guard your life. Walk in His instruction and wisdom, and as you do the Lord will rescue you from every evil deed and bring you safely into His heavenly kingdom.
THE LORD IS FAITHFUL, AND HE WILL STRENGTHEN YOU AND PROTECT YOU FROM THE EVIL ONE
You may never end up in a death camp like Corrie and Betsie, but you will face life-challenging issues. We all do. I’m not speaking only about issues that might threaten your physical well-being; because that’s the lowest part of the totem pole. God is much more concerned with our SPIRITUAL LIFE. How we pass through the trials, temptations and battles of this life will pay great dividends in the next.
I think it’s significant that when Jesus was praying for His disciples during the Last Supper, He prayed to the Father and said, “I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one.” Since it is the evil one and his minions who are battling against us here in the earth, it might seem as though God were not following through on His promises or answering the prayer of Jesus. But Jesus asked that we not be taken out of the world precisely so that we COULD battle the enemy and his forces! The focus of the prayer the Lord was offering was that we would be successful, that we would not end up under the control of the evil one. Jesus was asking His Father to keep us from the evil one because we belong to Him. Our final home is in heaven with Him, not in the clutches of the enemy.
So comfort your hearts and let God establish them in every good work and word. The Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials.
THE LORD IS FAITHFUL, AND HE WILL STRENGTHEN YOU AND PROTECT YOU FROM THE EVIL ONE
He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it. You can bet your life on it!
