Friday, June 26, 2015

"Ashes"


     Ash does not burn because the combustible components of the item ignited have been removed.  In similar terms, born again believers in the Lord Jesus Christ cannot truly be harmed by our spiritual enemies because we have already passed through the fires with our Savior.

   "God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world" (Galatians 6:14).

    The world, the devil, and the flesh do much that seems to hurt us, of course.  Certainly, we have the emotional sensibilities and nerve endings that feel the assaults of our foes.  But can they really harm those of whom the Apostle Paul declares, "Ye are dead and your life is hid with Christ in God"? (Colossians 3:3).  Hardly.  The combustibles in us are gone, in real terms.  We are a burnt over forest.  Nothing happens to us that does not fit into the "all things work together for good" assurance of Romans 8:28.  We live every moment of our lives in the presence of He who promised, "I am with you always… I will never leave thee nor forsake thee" (Matthew 28:20; Hebrews 13:5).  Let our enemies perform their absolutely worst assault upon us, and the truth remains, "In all these things, we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us" (Romans 8:37).  Indeed, in light of our Father's presence, promise, and care, the part of us that remains upon the earth is dead to any real jeopardy.  Moreover, the part of us already "made to sit together in Heavenly places", that spiritual heart of us "hid with Christ in God," well, the devil himself cannot approach the one who dwells with Christ in that holy place (Ephesians 2:6).

   The upshot of such glorious truth involves the destruction of fear in us.  Truth delivers us from terror, even as David affirmed, "What time I am afraid, I will trust in Thee" (Psalm 56:3).  How did the king trust God?  By remembering and affirming the facts of his Lord's Word.  He didn't just simply say, "Lord, I trust You."  The Psalm are filled with pointed affirmations of truth hidden in David's heart.  He rested upon specifically appplied promises and assurances, along with the remembrance of how often in the past God confirmed the truth of such confidence.  In similar manner, we must fill our hearts with the Light that overcomes darkness.  Both directly and implicitly, the ongoing message of Scripture to the sons and daughters of God in Christ calls us to "Fear not!" (Luke 12:7).  Every time temptation causes our nerve endings fearfully fire and our emotions quake with feelings of fright, an opportunity presents itself to our hearts.  What does the Bible say about this challenge, regardless of its mode and measure?  What does the Bible say about the God who promises His presence always, but who amplifies the assurance by being "a very present help in trouble" (Psalm 46:1; emphasis added).  What does the Bible say about our already having passed through the fires to the degree we cannot be burned? - "the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world."

    The ashes of a burnt over forest.  Regarding the fires ignited by our enemies to do us real harm, the challenge is overcome before it begins.  Herein our hearts rest, our hearts hid with Christ in God

"In God will I praise His Word, in God have I put my trust.  I will not fear what man can do unto me."
(Psalm 56:4)
"I sought the Lord, and He heard me and delivered me from all my fears."
(Psalm 34:4)
"He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose and walking in the midst of the first.  And they have no hurt, and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.  Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the mouth of the burning fiery furnace and spake, and said, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, ye servants of the most high God, come forth and come hither.  Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego came forth of the midst of the fire.  And the princes, governors, and captains, and the king's counselors, being gathered together, saw these men upon whose bodies the fire had no power, nor was a hair of their head singed, neither were their coats changed, nor the smell of fire had passed on them."
(Daniel 3:25-27)

Weekly Memory Verse
    Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord will not impute sin.
(Romans 4:8)
         

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