“but rejoice that your names are recorded in heaven”
“Jesus answered them, . . .”
(The Gospel According to John 10: 25-28 NASB)
[the Jews gathered around Him]
“I told you,
and you do not believe;
the works that I do in My Father’s name,
these testify of Me.
But you do not believe because you are not of My sheep.
My sheep
hear My voice,
and I know them,
and they follow Me;
and I give eternal life to them,
and they will never perish;
and no one will snatch them out of My hand.”
Jesus was in Jerusalem, in the portico (the surrounding porch area) of Solomon’s temple during the winter season. It was the time of the Feast of the Dedication that took place ritualistically every year. Those Jewish men had heard reports that Jesus, the Son of man, proclaimed to be the Messiah, the Son of God.
Those men faced the Lord, and they wanted (demanded) answers.
“How long will you keep us in suspense?
(The Gospel According to John 10: 24b NASB)
If You are the Christ, tell us plainly.”
There are just some seasons of our lives when we just do not understand.
- That’s right. Sometimes, all we can cry is “Why God?”
Or
- We might say, “Lord, I just don’t understand why You would have me endure this.”
Nevertheless, in every season—every situation—every moment of every day of our lives—
WE MUST TRUST GOD!
WE MUST!
Even when we do not understand asking “Why”—WE MUST TRUST GOD!
Even when we are walking through a season of testing—WE MUST TRUST GOD!
The unbelieving world surrounding us just cannot understand how we can endure a season of testing or a season of unanswered questions, but BELIEVERS KNOW THE TRUTH of GOD!
Our Savior will never—EVER—let go of us!
- Believe it because God’s Word records it so!
- Believe it because Jesus Himself said so!
May we never—EVER—forget!
May we always—FOREVER—remember!
“and no one will snatch them out of My hand.
(The Gospel According to John 10: 28b-30 NASB)
My Father,
who has given them to Me,
is greater than all;
and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.
I and the Father are one.”
Twenty-six years ago (in 1998), when I prayed, asking God for a child, God was faithful to answer my prayer. Some may believe that God can only answer a prayer with “YES,” and God did answer my prayer for a child by helping my husband and I conceive.
What we must ALWAYS REMEMBER—
GOD’S TIMING & GOD’S PURPOSES ARE ALWAYS PERFECT!
ALWAYS!
When I prayed, asking God for a child, God heard my vow, just as I also heard my promise.
“Lord, if You will give me a child, then I promise, I will not complain when You take her far away.”
How far is FAR AWAY in God’s eyes?
- In my eyes, far was Africa. Then God led her to marry a military man who was stationed in Germany.
- In my eyes, far was anywhere not close to our farm in Kentucky. Then God led them (my daughter and her husband) to live eight hours away in North Carolina.
How far is FAR AWAY to God?
As my daughter was growing up, there really was only one goal I had as her mother. I wanted my daughter to come to know Jesus as her Savior.
GOD IS AMAZINGLY FAITHFUL—for during a Vacation Bible School when she was nine years old, the Holy Spirit spoke to her being, and she responded in childlike faith. She was led through the ‘Sinner’s Prayer’ and she was led to read certain Scripture for herself, within the Bible, verses that helped her see God’s Truth. That Vacation Bible School, my little girl gave her heart to Jesus. I was there & I saw it with my own eyes & I will never forget that moment for as long as I live.
Since that day, I have continued to see how she walks daily with Jesus, led by God’s Holy Spirit. No, she is not perfect, and she has never been perfect, but she’s God’s child.
HALLELUJAH!
PRAISE GOD!
I can never really explain in words the jubilation that resides deep within me knowing my little girl of twenty-five belongs to God.
Yes, that’s right—The devil has not snatched her away from God & he never will.
HALLELUJAH!
PRAISE GOD!
“My sheep
(The Gospel According to John 10: 27-28 NASB)
hear My voice, and I know them,
and they follow Me;
and I give eternal life to them,
and they will never perish;
and no one will snatch them out of My hand.”
- Once we belong to God, we belong to God FOREVERMORE!
- Once we believe in Jesus as our Savior, we belong to God FOREVERMORE!
- Once we ask Jesus to forgive us of our sins, we belong to God FOREVERMORE!
- Once we receive Jesus’ forgiveness & our sins are covered by the blood of Jesus Christ, we belong to God FOREVERMORE!
- Once we belong to God, we belong to God FOREVERMORE!
IT’S A PROMISE OF GOD & GOD IS ALWAYS, ALWAYS—FAITHFUL!
GOD HIMSELF DRAWS A LINE & DECLARES THIS ONE IS MINE!
GOD NEVER—EVER—LET’S GO OF THOSE WHO BELONG TO HIM!
We live in an earthly world, one filled with sin, with sickness, with disease, and with everything unimaginable under the sun. The devil seems to have his way here on earth. Nevertheless, Satan can hurt us, hinder our witness, lead us astray, and even make us stumble in our faith, BUT SATAN CAN NEVER HAVE US.
MAY WE REMAIN FAITHFUL TO OUR FATHER.
So, child of God, may we rejoice when our children are safe within the hands of Jesus.
Yes, Christian brother and sister, may we rejoice when our children come to know Jesus as their Savior.
God has given them to us, entrusted these little ones to us: To love & To care for & To raise &
To teach them about Jesus.
How far is FAR AWAY to God?
In all humility I write these words. It is a truth. God may call away our children BEFORE he brings us home to heaven. My grandma walked through seasons such as this, twice. Friends have walked through seasons of despair such as this.
GOD IS ALWAYS, ALWAYS—FAITHFUL!
Therefore, let us ALWAYS REMEMBER—
The abundant Grace of God!!!
God’s Got Us!
GOD IS HOLDING ONTO US!
Once we belong to GOD—HE NEVER LETS US GO!
So, despite how far away my Father may have my little girl go, I can rest upon the promises of GOD—HE WILL NEVER—EVER—LET HER GO!
There is no greater life lived than the one lived in pursuit of bringing others to Jesus.
- May we commit ourselves today (and again tomorrow when it has become today) to sharing Jesus with “the least of these,” the unbelieving.
- May we allow the Holy Spirit to fill us with a fresh, renewing faith that leads us to share Jesus today.
“The seventy [witnesses] returned with joy, saying,
(The Gospel According to Luke 10: 17-20 NASB)
“Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.”
And He said to them,
“I was watching Satan fall from heaven like lightning.
Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions,
and over all the power of the enemy,
and nothing will injure you.
Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this,
that the spirits are subject to you,
but rejoice that your names are recorded in heaven.”
I appreciate the thorough analysis you’ve provided in this post. It’s made a big difference in my understanding of the topic.
Thank you for your comment. I am really humbled that my words could cause this understanding.
I so appreciate that you chose to read.
I also hope you continue to read daily.