Do we truly grasp what it means to be forgiven? In all honesty, we probably have taken our salvation for granted. It’s so easy to live a casual peaceful lifestyle once we are saved and serving God, and to bury in the far reaches of our memory the grief that we endured as a sinner, lost without hope.

Oh, it’s so true that when I struggle with desperate needs in my life, I pray more, and when everything is going well….

Well you know what usually happens, we get too busy to read the bible, too busy to talk to God, too busy to help others who are waiting for someone to encourage them, too distracted and self-absorbed to reach out to others.

Then, I think about Jesus. He dedicated his life, here, preparing to meet a cruel death to pay the price for my sin, and yet, not once did he think of turning back and going against the will of the Father. Why?

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16

Jesus was flesh, so he did pray that if it wasn’t God’s will, to let the cup pass from him, but he willingly accepted the plan that was laid out for his life; he took on the sins of man, and laid down his life for our salvation. He didn’t just lay down his life, he forgave the ones who crucified him.

We are forgiven, if we accept that forgiveness that he desires to give.

To be forgiven.

Let that sink in for a moment. What an awesome God we serve. We all are given a free will, and I choose to follow Jesus Christ. With or without Christ, we will go through trials, sickness, sorrow, and pain, because we live in a sin cursed world. I know that if Jesus Christ is for me, then who can be against me? He has forgiven me. That in itself is amazing.

Onward

I will follow where he leads me,

through the valleys and the hills

I will trust Him for there’s no other

who can all my needs fulfill

In sickness and in health

he’s my strength and my song,

In life’s battles, He’s my shield;

In my weakness, He is strong.

Oh, when all the world’s against me,

my ideas and my plans

I know that he’ll lead me through it, and

Teach me how to stand.

This week’s Lattereign reminds us that God is with us, even through the storm.

 There’s Nothing Too Hard for God