Keeps from Stumbling Over Me

.

Keeps from Stumbling Over Me

There is so much in life  that we don’t really understand.    There is stuff way up  in the heavens  and stuff way down  in the earth  that we just don’t know much about.     We might have some vague ideas,  but we don’t really know  and scientists are learning new things  every day.

It’s the same  in knowing  about the Christ.     Most everyone knows  that Jesus existed  and that He died  on a cross.     But,  much of the other facts  are unknown — even to theologians.    They can talk  about His true Godhood,  His true manhood,  and various historical things — but,  to really know absolutely everything intimately  and how it can be  is not possible  on this earth.     It is meant  to remain a mystery  until we reach our heavenly home.     Then we will see Jesus  and know  as we are known.

In the meantime,  we need to be aware  that this sinful world  and everything going on around us  can make us feel unsure  about Jesus’ power  to save us.     We are all bound  to have many times  in our lives  when our troubles are so overwhelming,  we just don’t feel  like we can endure.     During those times,  we might even wonder  if Jesus is real  or if He ever has cared  about us.     We would just like  to know what He expects  of us  and how we can get  through this life.

John the Baptist felt the same way.     He had faithfully been preaching repentance  and the coming  of the Savior — and what did he get?     He got thrown  into prison  and was about  to be beheaded.     Who can help  but wonder  about God  in times like that?

So,  John sent his disciples  to Jesus  to find out  for sure,  “Are You the Coming One,  or shall we look  for someone else?”     (Matthew 11:3)      A question  filled with a desire  to really know  if his preaching and suffering  would be worth it — or not.

And — aren’t we the same  as we face our trials  and temptations?     We just want  to know if it’s worth it  or not  to trust  in this Jesus  and obey Him  no matter what.     Jesus gave an answer  for John   and for us today.     He says  in Matthew 11:4-6,

“Go and report  to John  the things which you hear  and see:  the blind receive sight  and the lame walk,  the lepers are cleansed  and the deaf hear,  and the dead are raised up,  and the poor have the gospel preached  to them,  and blessed is he  who keeps from stumbling  over Me.”

Who else can do  all those miracles?     Which one of us  has raised any  of the dead lately?     In the midst  of all that,  the poor had the gospel preached  to them.     We are the poor.     We are the poor sinners,  who have heard the good news  of the forgiveness  of our sins  and eternal life — real life  in heaven — through faith  in Jesus Christ.

We are the ones  who are really blessed  IF we keep  from stumbling  over Jesus.     The world will mock  and continue its persecution — and we need  to look at the facts.     We need to see  how Jesus’ whole life  was a fulfillment  of prophecy given over thousands  of years.     We need to “hear”  and understand  that many witnessed the miracles  of Jesus.     And,  we need to realize  that this man of miracles  also allowed Himself  to be whipped,  beaten,  and crucified.     He didn’t have to.     He wanted to.     Jesus endured  and died  that we might live.

After all that,  we are most blessed,  if we don’t stumble over Him  as we face our trials  and temptations.     We don’t have to wonder  any more  about Jesus’ power  or desire  to forgive all our sins.     We are blessed  when we put our faith  in Him.

As John was beheaded,  he knew  for sure  who Jesus is.     It was okay  because God was in control  of even that.     Let us entrust our lives  to the LORD God Almighty,  remembering that His love  and nearness  will help us  through our trials.

Humbly walking  according to God’s word,  we say,  “Hallelujah!     My Lord,  thank You  for always being near.     Thank You  for dying  for my sins.     Let me truly live  for You.”

Love,
Margaret

.

A Christian devotional to glorify the LORD of lords and God of gods

 

Pray for our country.

 

This is the day which the LORD has made;
Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24

 

The word of the LORD is tried;
He is a shield  to all  who take refuge  in Him.
Psalm 18:30

 

Sing for joy in the LORD,  O you righteous ones;
Praise is becoming  to the upright.
Psalm 33:1

How blessed are those  who dwell in Thy house!
They are ever praising Thee.
Psalm 84:4

 

Just as a father has compassion  on his children,
So the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.
Psalm 103:13

 

Oh give thanks to the LORD,  for He is good;
For His lovingkindness is everlasting.
Psalm 107:1

 

Glory in His holy name;
Let the heart of those who seek the LORD be glad.
Psalm 105:3

 

Not that I have already obtained it, or have already become perfect, but I press on in order that
I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:12

.

.

.

.