PUT THE SHOVEL DOWN!
There are times I’ve been attacked and was completely innocent until I began to defend myself. The way I handled myself was worse than the way I was being attacked.
Jesus warned us, “In this world you will have trouble.” We shouldn’t be surprised when attacks occur, even from friendly fire.
Here’s what’s real about the Christian life: You have to develop all types of skill sets you don’t have yet. The first thing you need to develop is the knowledge that you do not run away from Jesus no matter what.
And when you do runaway from God and try to handle things on your own – when you “make your bed in hell” as King David said – there He is with you. He’ll take your shame and give you His honor and righteousness.
This is Jesus bearing your burdens and guiding you back home to Him. If you don’t know Jesus as the face of an ox, as your burden-bearer, you’re not going to make it.
Without knowing this side of Jesus, the stuff you’re going to reach for is going to cause some serious collateral damage because of the anxiety that your life. Without Jesus – more specifically the burden-bearing side of Him – you’re going to be fighting the wrong battles instead of fighting the right battles.
It’s this side of Him that sees you digging a trench to hell and He doesn’t say, “You’re going to get what you deserve and I wash My hands of you.” No, sir! You can count on Jesus to say, “Put the shovel down.”
He not only takes that shovel, He pulls you out of your hole and helps you fill it in with honor. He’s strong as an ox when it comes to your mistakes. Count on it.
“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.” – Luke 15:20
FROM MY SERMON SERIES JESUS UNVEILED
TODAY’S PROPHETIC THOUGHT
I Am God Almighty. While I fear nothing and run from no one, I have a father’s heart. I will run to you in your wanderings and bring you back home.