Are You Troubled

TITLE: “Are You Troubled?”
DATE:  September 18. 2019
TEXT:  1 Peter 5: 6-7 -  ESV - Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.
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When it comes to your faith, do you ever have any doubts?

 The answer is simple, but the reason behind your answer is not very complimentary. Yes, I doubt. because I am a human being that relies on my senses more than I do my faith.

That’s the lesson of a story that comes from the 1800’s.

A skeptic was standing on a soap-box at Hyde Park Corner.

His words poured scorn on Christianity. He said, "People tell me that God exists; but I can't see Him. People tell me that there is a life after death; but I can't see it. People tell me that there is a judgment to come; but I can't see it. People tell me that Jesus has died and risen for me, but I can’t see Him."

When he stepped down from his pulpit, he received a smatter of cheap applause.

Then another man stepped up to the soap-box. His style of speaking was a deliberate copy of his unbelieving predecessor: He began, "People tell me that there is green grass all around, but I can't see it. People tell me that there is blue sky above, but I can't see it. People tell me that there are trees nearby, but I can't see them. I can’t see them because I am blind.”

Actually, both men were blind. One was blind physically. The other was blind spiritually. I can tell you which of the two had the greater handicap.

If you look at the crowd at the foot of Jesus’ Jerusalem cross you will see many people are blinded.

• The Pharisees and Priests were blinded by their hatred against this new Messiah. They were afraid that this crucifixion might not bring an end to His teachings of salvation by grace.
• We see their counterparts today. People who stand before the cross and are blinded to the wonderful thing that the Lord has done there. They cannot see the Lamb of God Who is offered, in our place, so that we might have life in this world and the next.
• People are blinded by their doubts and troubles. They ask, “Is God really going to help me?” They wonder, “Does He really have the answers that I need?”

How wonderful it would be if all eyes would be opened to the immensity, and individuality of Jesus’ love. Jesus died for me!   For MY sins. For MY troubles, doubts and fears.

Now, if anyone says  to me, “Are you ever troubled, and do you ever doubt?’, I can say, “I sometimes do, but I also remember,” amazing grace, how sweet the sound, to save a wretch like me. I once was lost, but now am found, was blind, but now I see.”

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord Jesus, I believe, help my unbelief. Let me see in the cross Your love and grace that cares and offers hope to all who would believe. In Your Name, I ask it. Amen.

The music which introduces and concludes our devotions was written by Guy Baumann. He along with three of his brothers perform on the album: The Baumann Brothers which may be ordered here: http://thebaumannbrothers.com/index.html