Scripture:
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” - John 3:16-17
Thought for the day:
As I browsed the newsfeeds and Facebook, it grieves my heart to see just how focused the masses are on “all that is wrong with the world.” Don’t misunderstand me, there are injustices and evils that need to be brought to light and the struggle against both can never wane! We, as Christians with God’s help, must constantly strive to “make a difference, transform a life, and build the kingdom of God.
However, we are a people of the Word, and the Word, while it acknowledges sin and separation from God, is primarily the story of “all that is right within the world.” Ours is a story of victory snatched from defeat; our is a story of salvation in the midst of condemnation; ours is the story of the one true God who “so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (Jn 3:16)
It is so easy to get caught up in the heartache brought on by the brokenness of our world. Given the opportunity to focus “all that is right with the world,” on the story of: God with us, makes for a much better day!
H. Ernest Nichol wrote a hymn back in 1896 called “We’ve a Story to Tell to the Nations” that speaks to the story…
We’ve a story to tell to the nations, that shall turn their hearts to the right,
a story of truth and mercy, a story of peace and light.
We’ve a song to be sung to the nations, that shall lift their hearts to the Lord,
a song that shall conquer evil and shatter the spear and sword, and shatter the spear and sword.
We’ve a message to give to the nations, that the Lord who reigneth above that sent us his Son to save us,
and show us that God is love, and show us that God is love.
We’ve a Savior to show to the nations, who the path of sorrow hath trod,
that all of the world’s great peoples might come to the truth of God, might come to the truth of God.
Refrain
For the darkness shall turn to dawning, and the dawning to noonday bright;
and Christ’s great kingdom shall come on earth, the kingdom of love and light.
Prayer for the day:
Gracious God, please instill within me the joy of your incredible salvation story and give me the desire to share that story wherever and whenever you deem it necessary. Amen