Presenting ...
... a weekly letter of encouragement.
Singapore
12 June, 1996
Good Morning!
DO YOU WANT CHRIST TO TOUCH YOU AT YOUR DEEPEST POINT OF
NEED?
Here are five observations from an incident in the life of a
leper whom Jesus healed+:
#1 WE MUST ACKNOWLEDGE WE HAVE A NEED -
A lowly leper falls at Jesus' feet and beseeches Him, "Lord,
you can make me clean."
Of all the people Jesus could have helped, He chose the
one in desperate need. Christ cautions the self-sufficient non-lepers
of the world: "You say, 'I am rich...I do not need
a thing'...You do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful,
poor, blind and naked." (Revelation 3:17)
#2 WE MUST COME TO JESUS -
The leper came and besought the Master for the solution to his miserable condition.
Many of us in seeking a solution to our needs seem to go to every
one and to every thing but Jesus:
Friends, seminars, books, tapes...you name it. But not
to the Lord Jesus.
"...You refuse to come to Me to have life."
(John 5:40)
#3 WE MUST COME TO JESUS IN HUMILITY -
The leper fell on his knees worshipping Jesus and begging Him
for help, "If You are willing, You can make me clean."
James reminds us, "God opposes the proud
but gives grace to the humble." (4:6)
#4 WE MUST COME TO JESUS BELIEVING HE CAN AND WILL HELP
US -
The leper cried out, "You can make me clean."
Because it is our Father's intent to conform us into the Saviour's
image, we can be assured that He will do whatever is best for
us toward that end:
"...In all things God works for the good of those who
love Him... For those (whom) God ...predestined (He)...conformed
to the likeness of His Son." (Romans 8:28a, 29a)
#5 WE MUST COME TO JESUS AND ASK HIM TO HELP US
-
James cautions, "...You do not have, because you do
not ask God." (4:2b)
By our asking for help we are acknowledging the fact that we
have reached the end of our resources and are now relying upon
His. Our "extremity" then becomes
God's "opportunity."
I trust you are having a great week!
Dwight Hill
+ Matthew 8:2 - 4; Mark 1:40 - 45; Luke 5:12 - 16
© Copyright 1996 Dwight Hill. Unlimited permission to copy or use is hereby granted subject to inclusion of this copyright notice.
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