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God’s Truth for Trying Times - 4/2/20

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God’s Truth for Trying Times - 4/2/20

 

We need God’s truth in trying times. Read the Scripture passage, think about what it is saying, then pray; by yourself or with your household. Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly (Col. 3:16).

 

READ: John‬ ‭12:12-13‬

 

“The next day the large crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out, "Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!"”

‭‭(John‬ ‭12:12-13‬)‬‬

 

CONSIDER: Hosanna means “Save us, Lord.” It’s from Psalm 118. Just think about what people did soon after this. Some believe it but many called for Jesus’ crucifixion. Many did not want Him to be over them in any way. Many rejected him out right.

Singing hosanna and then shouting “Crucify Him!” is a complete contradiction.

Singing hosanna and denying Christ is a complete contradiction.

Singing hosanna and disregarding the Word of God is a complete contradiction.

Asking Jesus to save you but not wanting to surrender is a complete contradiction.

It makes no sense. Would a drowning man asked to be saved and then push his rescuer away? How disingenuous would it be for that drowning man to accuse the rescuer, after having been been rescued, of being unfair, harsh, or unreasonable?

That’s us what we say if we say Jesus saved me but I really don’t need to pray, read the Bible, have good relationships with believers, proclaim the Gospel, sacrificially serve Jesus, live my life according to biblical principles, or otherwise be obedient to what the Word says.

Basically, if you say you want Jesus to save you, or you claim that He has, and you believe he has, the only appropriate response is surrender of life. Asking Jesus to save you means you surrender. Salvation necessitates surrender.

 

THINK: What does this declare about God? What are God’s people being called to do? What assurance is given? How does the Word of God transform our hearts and lives and relationships?

 

PRAY:‬‬ Pray these verses to God as a prayer. Pour out your heart in praise to God. Pray for others. Present needs to Him.