The Word - January 16, 2012

"Here on earth you will have many trials; but be of good cheer; because I have overcome the world" (John 16:33). "Peace I give to you, and the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don't be troubled, neither be afraid" (John 14:27).

The precious words of our Scriptures this morning come from the loving heart and lips of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. May we fix our attention on Him today? How worthy is He! He is our mighty, loving and adorable Lord! How He loves His own, how completely He cares for us, is mindful of us; it is difficult to understand.

He is the One who was rich, yet became poor for our sakes and died on the cross that we might share eternal riches and glory with Him. This awesome truth is as fresh for us today as it was for the disciples long ago. It never grows old, and He who bought us with His own blood, loves and cares for us, His sinful people with unconditional love and infinite patience.

As daily, we come to Him with our failures, our sins, our burdens, our fears, we find Him to be the same unchanging, tender Savior. How can we ever measure the depths of His love! He will never cease loving those who have accepted him as their Savior. With a joyful heart we can say, "I am my beloved's and His desire is toward me."

Oh how we need the Lord to become more real in our hearts. Our fellowship with Him, our trust in Him, our daily walk with Him, our waiting for Him, all must become more real. The Holy Spirit in His power will accomplish this in our lives. In the terrible darkness which is hovering over this present age, only those can remain faithful who cling closer to the Lord and wait expectantly for His coming. Through it all we need a fresh reminder of His precious Word: "Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." "Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world."