Every once in a while, I come across a quote that is not only insightful and powerful but also delightful. In today’s devotion I would like to share such a quote, from Max Lucado, that put a great big smile on my face: “You have a God who hears you, the power of love behind you, the Holy Spirit within you, and all of heaven ahead of you. If you have the Shepherd, you have grace for every sin, direction for every turn, a candle for every corner and an anchor for every storm. You have everything you need.”1
I would like to share a little bit on each of the eight points Lucado touches on and then challenge you to meditate on this quote and see if it doesn’t put a smile on your face too! In today’s Part I of this devotion we will look at the first four points. And in tomorrow’s Part II we will discuss four more points.
Point 1 – You have a God who hears you
Imagine the Creator of the universe, who just spoke the Word and brought our entire universe into existence, delights to hear what’s on your mind and in your heart. In a world of eight billion people you might think how and why can Jesus be so interested in listening to me! The exciting thing, however, is that not only is Jesus interested in hearing from you, but He, because He is God, is able to give you His undivided attention! So talk and pray to Jesus – He is nearer than you can ever imagine.
Point 2 – You have the power of love behind you
Not only does Jesus hear you when you talk to Him, but His incredible love is always there to uphold you, surround you, and permeate every part of your very being. If you ever doubt His love for you remember what Jesus did for you at Calvary – He died so you could live! Not only that but God’s love allows us to become God’s precious children, for we read in (1 John 3:1): “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!…”
Point 3 – You have the Holy Spirit within you
Not only does the Holy Spirit come to dwell within us when we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior but our bodies actually become the temples of the Holy Spirit. (1 Corinthians 6:19) tells us: “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?…” Imagine the third member of the Godhead, who has unlimited power, now resides in us!
Point 4 – You have all of heaven ahead of you
There is nothing as exciting in all the universe then knowing that one day we will leave these frail bodies behind us and put on new glorified and immortal bodies that will spend all of eternity with Jesus in heaven (actually we will be living on the new earth). Just think we will never be sick, never be sad and will enjoy endless bliss in a land of perfection with Jesus!
In tomorrow’s Part II of this devotion we will explore four amazing thoughts on what it means to have Jesus as our Shepherd!
1 You have a God who hears you, the power of love behind you, …