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This Week’s Devotional Topic
THE HERO
The imaginations of this world are constantly coming out with heroes of all types. There is competition to see which one can be more powerful than the next or have the most awesome special abilities. Indeed, we have come a long way from the days of “Superman” comic books.
And there are many whom we look to as “heroes” past and present. You might be thinking of ‘first responders’, those who work with incoming “911” calls. And then there are many of us who look to a close friend or family member as a hero based upon who they are and what they have accomplished.
Please listen now as we look to Jesus as the ultimate hero.
Let’s look at the awesome character traits of Jesus described by the prophet Isaiah.
Isaiah 9:6,7 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.
He protected His children in the fiery furnace.
Daniel 3:23-28 And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace. Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonished, and rose up in haste, and spake, and said unto his counsellors, Did not we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire? They answered and said unto the king, True, O king. He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God. Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the mouth of the burning fiery furnace, and spake, and said, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, ye servants of the most high God, come forth, and come hither. Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, came forth of the midst of the fire. And the princes, governors, and captains, and the king’s counsellors, being gathered together, saw these men, upon whose bodies the fire had no power, nor was an hair of their head singed, neither were their coats changed, nor the smell of fire had passed on them. Then Nebuchadnezzar spake, and said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who hath sent his angel, and delivered his servants that trusted in him, and have changed the king’s word, and yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any god, except their own God.
Our ‘hero’ has the ability to forgive sin!
I John 1:5-9 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Jesus encouraged Martha AND us, that He has the power to give us life.
John 11:25, 26 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?
As the ultimate hero, he alone provides us with access to and a relationship with God the Father.
John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Are you in an uncomfortable spot today? Do you need a hero? Then look to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. Consider God’s many promises and let His many promises be reminders that He is our very real Hero.
Isaiah 14:10 Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.
And as Paul reminded the church at Philippi…
Philippians 4:19,20 And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus. Now all glory to God our Father forever and ever! Amen.
Jeremiah 33:3 Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.
This week’s Scripture:
Daniel 3:23-28; Isaiah 9:6,7; John 11:25,26; 14:6; I John 1:5-9; Isaiah 14:10; Philippians 4:19,20 and Jeremiah 33:3
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