Got It

TITLE: Got It
DATE:  July 23, 2019
TEXT:. Philippians 2:  5-8 - ESV - Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

Christ is risen! He is risen, indeed.

Some people “got it”, and some people don’t.

As far as I know, there is no way to measure or predict if a person has “got it.’ About all you can do is wait until the proper time and see. The right circumstances and situations will quickly separate those who “got it” from those who don’t.

Daily Devotioners, I am proud to introduce you to Derrick Byrd, a 20-year-old Washington State man who, most definitely has “got it.” Let me explain...

Recently a fire broke out at the family home in Aberdeen. There were seven family members inside. Derrick took up his station under a window and caught his 6-year-old nephews Junior, and 3-year-old Rory who jumped.

Next at the second-floor window was 8-year-old niece, Mercedes. Derrick called for her to jump, but she hesitated. Mercedes began calling her uncle’s name, but she couldn’t take that leap of faith to safety.

That’s when Derrick showed he’s “got it.”

He says, “"I wasn't going to let my niece die." He says he bolted up the steps, "pushed through the fire," found Mercedes, covered her face with his shirt, and then "carried her out as fast as I could." A local police officer commented, ”He forced entry back into the residence even though it was fully involved with flames at that time."

Derrick, Junior, and Mercedes were airlifted from the scene and were treated for serious burns. Our hero received care for having suffered second- and third-degree burns on his face, back, and arms. When asked whether he had any regrets, Derrick says, ”I'd do it again.... "I don't care. ... I'd run back in there and do it again, even if I got burnt worse or died."
That’s a young man who has “got it.”
Now this is where I point out that if Derrick has “got it”, your Savior, Jesus has “GOT IT.”Consider:

1. While Derrick was saving his beloved family members, Jesus left heaven and was born as one of us. Rather than encountering gratitude He was despised by the religious and political leadership and harassed by the pillars of the community. Yet He came to save us.
2. While Derrick didn’t know that he would be burned or suffer to save his family, Jesus knew. He knew He would be despised, rejected, a Man of sorrows Who would suffer greatly so we might be healed.
3.  Lastly, Derrick had every hope of saving His life. Jesus had no such expectation. The Redeemer knew His life would end ona Roman cross outside Jerusalem. It was a sacrifice, so complete, so total, so effective there has never been anything “LIKE IT.”

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, we certainly didn’t deserve a Savior who was willing to give as completely as Jesus did. For His suffering, sacrifice and death I offer my thanks and praise. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

The devotion for today was inspired by various recent news articles. For further reading you may wish to go to this address: and the article written by .Jenn Gdman for Newser n July 9, 2019 See the article at: https://www.newser.com/story/277552/hero-uncle-after-fire-i-wasnt-going-to-let-my-niece-die.html
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