Strength, Courage and Salvation

Strength, Courage and Salvation by Kirk Hunt

The Lord is my light and my salvation;
Whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the strength of my life;
Of whom shall I be afraid?

When the wicked came against me
To eat up my flesh,
My enemies and foes,
They stumbled and fell.

Psalm 27:1-2 NKJV

Godly men and women have enemies and foes, just like everyone else. What is different is that we live in the grace and protection of our all-powerful God. God is our strength. Always.

Can God’s people be battered and bruised? Perhaps. Can God’s people be beaten and defeated? Not until after they beat and defeat God. But we must operate in God’s strength, not our own.

King David, experienced and understood unjust treatment and persecution. Yet, here in this Psalm, he sang in victory about the light and salvation of God. Whether hiding in a cave or living in a palace, David understood that God was greater than his enemies.

David fought battles. More than once, his life was at risk. Still, his courage came from the source of his strength. He found grace and protection in all-powerful God.

Whatever you face today, consider where you find strength. No matter how battered and bruised you feel, you are not beaten. Not if you operate in the strength, light, and salvation of God. Find your courage in His strength.

Think:God is my strength and salvation, therefore I can have courage.”

Pray: “Lord, help me to remember my courage comes from Your strength.”

Copyright © March 2022, Kirk Hunt

This devotional is brought to you courtesy of CadreMen Press. You can purchase a copy of Blessed and Blessing: Devotionals For Gospel Champions from your favorite bookseller or directly from CadreMen Press.

The Likeness Of Men

The Likeness Of Men By Kirk Hunt

But made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.

Philippians 2:7 NKJV

Jesus was born in the likeness of most men and women. Mary and Joseph were people of quite humble means, despite Joseph’s royal lineage. Were it not for the wise men’s reading of God’s stars or the announcement of the angelic host, no one would have known of Jesus’ birth.

Jesus came in my likeness. He chose to exclude Himself from the wealth that could smooth His way in the world. Jesus, despite being a direct descendent of King David was born without the advantages of privilege or position.

Jesus loved us so much that He decided He had to look like us. He was determined that salvation would be available to all of us, so He chose the station and lifestyle of the least of us. The Creator of galaxies and nebula arrived as a baby, helpless except for His loving parents.

He arrived in your image, so that salvation could be extended to all of mankind. He lived our life so that we would have an example, and proof, that the least of us come live out the Christian life. All men and woman can live the Gospel life, if they chose to follow His Word.

This Christmas season, I pray that you see Jesus in the faces of men and women from every tribe, language and skin tone. He came to earth in their likeness, determined to make salvation available to everyone who would chose to accept Him as their Savior and obey His Word.

Think: Jesus decided to come in my image. Have I committed to living in His image?

Pray: “Lord, help me to live in Your likeness.”

 

Copyright © December 2018, Kirk Hunt

This devotional is brought to you courtesy of CadreMen Press. You can purchase a copy of Blessed and Blessing: Devotionals For Gospel Champions from your favorite bookseller or directly from CadreMen Press.

Come To Save Them

Come To Save Them By Kirk Hunt

But He turned and rebuked them, and said, “You do not know what manner of spirit you are of. For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives but to save them.” And they went to another village.

Luke 9:55–56 NKJV

The Disciples were eager to use their power. They wanted to indulge their lust for control and dominance. Jesus reminded them He came to save lives.

I am distressed and saddened by the adversarial and vindictive words and actions of too many in our society. I am especially upset by those who claim to be God’s people. Even cursory examination of the Gospels reveals that Jesus is neither a brawler or spiteful.

He extended dignity, mercy and grace to adulterers, prostitutes and publicans. He was silent before Pilate. He did not call a host of angels to save Himself from the Cross. Jesus demonstrated, in the flesh, that the truly strong understand how to restrain their strength.

By having control over His strength, Jesus was able to fulfil His purpose to save mankind. He did not come to destroy men’s lives. Nor did He allow His disciples to flame strike the Samaritan village, despite their rudeness and inhospitality.

Do you have self-control? Do you understand Jesus’ purpose should be your purpose as well? God’s people are called to save men and women.

We save others by being careful how we use the power that God entrusts to us. Just because you can, does not mean you should. Remember; Jesus saves.

Think: As a disciple of Jesus, I am to save the lives of men and women, not destroy them.

Pray: “Lord, help me to save the lives of those around me.”

 

Copyright © July 2017, Kirk Hunt

This devotional is brought to you courtesy of CadreMen Press. You can purchase a copy of Blessed and Blessing: Devotionals For Gospel Champions from your favorite bookseller or directly from CadreMen Press.