by Rodney Keith Richardson

Posts tagged “betray”

The Strongest Man

2 Timothy 1:7-10
7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear ; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
8 Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;
9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,
10 But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:

I grow weary many times of Hollywood writers, actors, and others who, either intentionally or unintentionally, portray Jesus Christ as some sort of weakling faith healer who stumbles around ancient Judea trying to make a name for Himself. How revolting to even consider that the King of kings had any sort of weakness or fear. On the contrary, being completely God and man, He demonstrated amazing resilience, bravery, and strength of character when faced with obstacles you and I would crumble from. The reality is that Jesus is the one who showed us how to overcome adversity, pain, and suffering through His determination to fulfill God’s will.

Let’s look closely at His life here on earth;

FROM THE BEGINNING

  • He was born into poverty
  • He was raised in a country under foreign occupation
  • He was self-restrained, not fully performing His Godhood
  • He may have lost His father early in adulthood

IN MINISTRY

  • He was not accepted in His homeland by His own people
  • He chose 12 followers who often didn’t understand or truly believe what His mission was
  • He was hounded by critics everywhere He went
  • He spent countless hours, even days healing and ministering to ungrateful, stubborn people, often to the point of physical exaustion
  • His adversary the devil was always looking for human frailty to use as an opportunity to destroy Him
  • He was constantly discredited by the religious and political leaders of His country
  • He was betrayed by one of His inner circle

DURING HIS PASSION

  • He wept over the unbelief of Jerusalem, even after all they had witnessed of Him
  • He agonized to the point of sweating blood in the garden
  • He submitted to a politically-driven mock trial
  • He allowed mankind to scourge Him and inflict great pain
  • He was humiliated, mocked, spit on, and rejected by those He came to save
  • He laid down on a wooden cross and willingly permitted those He loved to drive nails in His hand and feet
  • He set aside His deity and died for the sins of His own creation

In all of these experiences that Jesus suffered in the flesh; pain, rejection, suffering, doubt, loneliness, shame, and much more, He never gave in to anger, never let the devil gain opportunity against Him, never gave up. Even more, there is no suffering that we could face that Jesus hasn’t already experienced right here on earth. So when considering these occurrences, I hope you understand why those who would belittle Him for what He did for all of us makes me want to stand up and fight. He is not weak, not in any way. He is not fearful, not in any way. Jesus Christ is strength and He is my example for living in the world, fighting my battles, and enduring adversity. I hope that He is your “shield and buckler” too. What an amazing and wonderful Lord we have in Jesus Christ, our Lord!

I hope that this meditation encourages you in a special way today. May God richly bless you!

November 18, 2009 | Categories: Meditations In the Word | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off

Only Child

Psalm 23

1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

Sometimes we feel sad and over-burdened by the issues of life. Perhaps a friend has sliced open a wound with words. Perhaps your heart has been spurned, rejected.

I wrote this poem several years ago at a low point in my own life. It was through the words of the refrain, “. . . Your promises and love,” that I eventually overcame my hardship. You too will discover that when the storms of life rage that clinging to God’s Word is the only life raft we really need.

Only Child

O my Lord, I sorrow great
I left here full
And return empty and bitter.
Lord, You know my despair
You feel my soul aching
For springs of Living Water.

My tears fall easily and unrestrained
I feel like You’re only child.
So desperately I need to cling
To Your promises and love.

They say home is a place of love
But it is agony and alone-ness I feel
Lord hold me—cradle me close
I long to feel Your strong arms about
Another day I cannot face
My world is solitary, empty.

My tears fall easily and unrestrained
I feel like You’re only child.
So desperately I need to cling
To Your promises and love.

You are my Lord, my great Physician
The healer of my soul.
Only you can salve my sickened spirit
Please quiet my life…slow my heart.
Show me green pastures where I may graze
And rest peacefully by rolling streams.

My tears fall easily and unrestrained
I feel like You’re only child.
So desperately I need to cling
To Your promises and love.

(C)1992 R. Keith Richardson. All rights reserved.

October 9, 2009 | Categories: Poetry Meditations | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment »