"Conquering the World"
October 5, 2017
John 1:14 - And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
"For God so loved the world ..." That's the way John 3:16 begins.
Sadly, many people don't believe it, while others who have been given a perfectly logical reason to doubt the Lord, decline to do so.
Such a man was Eric Barker, a missionary from Great Britain. For over 50 years, Barker and his family lived overseas, sharing the Savior.
During World War II, the hostilities came close enough that Pastor Barker was advised to evacuate his wife and eight children to England for safety. His sister and her three children were also sent home on the same ship.
Barker remained behind to carry on God's work.
A short time after his family left, on a Sunday morning Pastor Barker announced to his congregation, "I've just received word that all my family has arrived safely home!"
The pastor then continued with the service.
It was only later that his congregation found out, just before the worship service began, their pastor had been given a telegram which told of how the ship on which his family was sailing had been torpedoed.
There had been no survivors.
As a husband, father, brother, I cannot imagine the impact of that telegram. In a few short words, Barker's life should have been turned upside down. No, I cannot imagine what went through his mind. I know every problem I have ever had is nothing compared to what that man must have felt.
I know many people would snap under the weight of such a tragedy. Barker did not.
Instead, the Spirit of God lifted his eyes. Rather than a lost family, because of Jesus, he saw a saved family. He looked past death and a watery grave to see his family with Jesus. In the worst of life, he relied on Jesus. What a weak word that is: relying - better to say, clinging to and clutching Jesus - he found his answer; he found hope.
Have you?
Please understand that we live in a world that is dedicated to bringing people down, to drag them, screaming and kicking, back into the darkness. That which is good is disparaged; that which is sent as a blessing from God is put down.
This is why we need the Christ. Only Jesus has the ability to dispel the darkness and lead His people into the light and life, which comes from the forgiveness of sins and adoption into the family of faith. This is why this devotion says believe in Jesus: the Answer. Trust in Jesus, our Hope. Cling to Jesus, our Savior and Salvation.
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, grant that the lost may see the greatness of Your grace and love. In Jesus may they be given a security and hope that the world cannot match or destroy. This I pray in the Savior's Name. Amen.
