Jesus the Saviour of all mankind, the One of a matchless and beautiful character; humbled Himself for everyone. Why do so many say no, when to experience Him, is to love Him? When Jesus has come into any heart, He is then the most precious treasure, that none ever plan to lose.
Jesus invites us to unite with Him, John 15: 1 – 4 “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vine dresser. 2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away, and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.” To be a branch of ‘the true vine’ necessitates a close connection. It is amazing that this connection is with Jesus my Saviour, and I will then bear His fruit. I am so glad for His invitation, and that He makes this connection possible. He does not promise a spiritual life without pruning cuts that bleed. I notice with relief that such cuts are only so that I will bear more of His fruit, such as love, joy, peace and right doing to name just a few. 1 Peter 3: 14, 15 “But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. ‘And do not be afraid of their treats, nor be troubled.’ But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear. It is only when closely connected to Jesus as a branch is to a vine that we can be as we should be as a Christian.
Because we live on this sinful world, bad things happen in varying degrees upon the followers and those who do not follow God. The future for the believer and the non-believer will be different, God says! God is always trying to save each person from eternal death, and bring them to Himself, and eternal life. Deuteronomy 33: 25, 27, 29 “…………As your days, so shall your strength be. 27 The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms; He will trust out the enemy from before you, and will say. ‘Destroy’! 29 Happy are you, O Israel! Who is like you, a people saved by the Lord, the shield of your help and the sword of your majesty! And you shall tread down their high places.”
I make the old hymn “Leaning on the Everlasting Arms” (written from Deuteronomy 33: 27, by E. A. Hoffman, 1887) my praise today.
- “What a fellow-ship, what a joy divine, leaning on the everlasting arms; what a blessedness, what a peace is mine, leaning on the everlasting arms.”
Refrain, for 1 and 2: “Leaning, leaning, safe and secure from all alarms; Leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms.
- O how sweet to walk in this pilgrim way, leaning on the everlasting arms; O how bright the path grows from day to day, leaning on the everlasting arms.
Refrain:
- What have I to dread, what have I to fear, leaning on the everlasting arms? I have blessed peace with my Lord so near, leaning on the everlasting arms.
Refrain 3: Leaning on Jesus, leaning on Jesus, safe and secure from all alarms, leaning on Jesus, leaning on Jesus, leaning on the everlasting arms.