DEVOTIONAL

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”

Hebrews 13:8 NASBS

Beloved of God, I write this small devotion to you so that you might be encouraged. Because in this life you will face many troubles. Though you have been saved by His precious blood, this does not exempt you from the frailty of the human flesh.

Christian do not be deceived, for because of the atrocity of sin and how it has affected all of humanity, you will face sickness and various ailments in this life. There will be moments when it seems as if this infirmity has overtaken you, and His truth becomes veiled to your mind.

But take heart beloved, for when the sun becomes eclipsed by the moon and casts a shadow on the earth so you can’t see it, it is still there in all of this glory, so too, the Son of God will never leave you. The Bible tells us concerning the words of Christ, “I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I EVER FORSAKE YOU.”

The Apostle Paul affirms this to the church who was suffering at Rome, “For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Never forget, “The LORD is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed,” for “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”

Octavius Winslow penned this concerning suffering many years ago, “That darkened room and the curtained bed contain one for whom the Son of God came down to earth to live, to labor, and to die. That room is often radiant with His presence, and that bed is often made with His hands. Jesus is never absent from that spot! The affectionate husband, the tender wife, the fond parent, the devoted sister, and the faithful nurse are not in more constant attendance at that solemn post of observation than is Jesus. They must be absent; He never is, for one moment, away from that couch. Sleep must overcome them; but He who guards that suffering patient neither slumbers nor sleeps. Long-continued watching must cease; but He, the divine watcher, “fainteth not, neither is weary.” No matter what you are facing this day, let God’s word be established in your heart and do not be moved from these deep truths. Blessed suffering one, your days on this earth are limited in the span of eternity, for “one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.”

Therefore, let David’s word echo in your heart, “The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You have anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows. Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.”