Pleasing God, Making Disciples of Jesus Christ

May It Never Be

ISAIAH 63:4-5 – For the day of vengeance was in my heart, and my year of redemption had come. I looked, but there was no one to help; I was appalled, but there was no one to uphold . . .

THEME OF THE DAY. MAY IT NEVER BE. Today’s scripture is one of those soul-searching, heart-exposing, mind-probing and life-evaluating portions of God’s Word. What we are reading is the Lord speaking of the Day of His wrath and deliverance. He is about to render destruction and salvation upon the world and His people. We also are exposed to His compassionate heart, not only from Himself, but He in looking for compassion from people, and particularly His people. And here is where the personal application of this scripture comes home to each of us. Here is where our souls are searched; our hearts exposed; our minds probed, and our lives evaluated. Let’s paraphrase what the Lord says – “I looked around to see if anyone was willing to help. I searched far and wide looking for compassionate people to uphold those who are suffering and hurting, and not a person could be found.”

Would our neighbors, co-workers, friends, or even strangers we meet along the paths of life say that of me? Of you? Of us? Of our churches? Let’s go one step deeper into this issue. Would the Lord say that of me? Of you?

David declared a similar message in Psalm 142. He wrote, “Look to the right and see: there is none who takes notice of me; no refuge remains to me; no one cares for my soul” (Psalm 142:4). What an indictment upon any Christian or church! For someone, anyone, to be able to say, “I look all around and no one cares for my soul.” It is a direct contradiction of our profession of faith. Friends, Jesus made it clear we are to be a people known for love; love for Him, for His people, and for those who have yet to meet Christ. In the Upper Room Discourse, our Lord gave His disciples a “new commandment”. He said, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:34-35).

It won’t be our right doctrine that makes known the reality of Christ, though right doctrine is vital. Nor will it be our proclamation of the truth of Christ and His Word, though proclamation is vital. No, the most important impact we will make in our spheres of influence will be our love; a love that serves the hurting in Jesus’ name, a love that goes to the suffering in Jesus’ name, a love that denies self-interests for the interests of others . . . a love that lives out the reality of “Jesus is Lord” by being under control of His love (2 Corinthians 5:14).

May the Lord draw each of us away from the busyness of life and allow Him to search us with the question, “Am I under the control of His love?” If we listen to Him, He will show us the answer to this all-important question. And should we find ourselves lacking, let’s seek Him to grant us repentance and a renewed commitment to make a difference to all the hurting souls around; a difference that comes from the reality of Christ’s love in us, flowing from us.

PRAYER: “Father, please help me not to grow indifferent to all the hurting people around me.”

QUOTE: “May it never be said of any of us that we fail to show the world the reality of Christ’s love.”