In light of Holy Week, we were reminded of just how much good news there is in the gospel. There is so much for each of us and all of us to appreciate and apply. In fact, each section of that blog article might be worth another look for each of us in some way. The good news of Jesus is like a diamond that sparkles in the light from different angles.
Here is one angle to remember: Jesus has fulfilled and incredible number of biblical prophesies about the Messiah, or the Anointed, of God. The central teaching of the Apostles was that this Jesus of Nazareth is “both Lord and Christ” (Acts 2:36) according to the unfolding story of promises made my God on behalf of Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:15), Abraham (Genesis 12:2-3), David (2 Samuel 7:12-16), Jeremiah (Jeremiah 31:31-34), Ezekiel (Ezekiel 36:25-27), and many more (2 Corinthians 1:20)! God has been faithful in keeping His promises for millennia regarding the course of nations and human history, and you can depend on Him regarding the course of your life and eternity. Let yourself rest in Christ’s trustworthy hands and plan, so you can release white-knuckled strain.
Jeff Vanderstelt in Gospel Fluency provocatively says that we are all “unbelievers” in the sense that practically we might not experience and live out all that we might profess to believe. In a sense, we Christians are still learning and growing to believe the very gospel we began this journey of following Jesus with (Romans 16:24-26; 2 Corinthians 9:12-14; Galatians 2:14; Colossians 1:21-23). Similarly, Seamands & Funk in Healing for Damaged Emotions that there are inner parts of us that still need to be evangelized by the good news of Jesus—parts of us that have not yet fully embraced Christ in one way or another.
For example, we might find ourselves living with “white-knuckled strain” clinging to our sense of self-sufficiency and control or belief that we can outwork some issue in our lives. We need to look up from that place and turn again to Jesus: “Let yourself rest in Christ’s trustworthy hands and plans.”
I’ll never forget the impact of this thought in my life: “God, thank You for planning so carefully for me.” It’s so simple, but it struck my heart as such good news. Can it be—really be—that God chose you and me in love for heaven before He created the earth itself, even chose to send Christ to redeem before you and I even existed let alone sinned (Ephesians 1:3-5; 1 Peter 1:18-21)?
Will you let go again? Let’s do it together. “Let yourself rest in Christ’s trustworthy hands and plans.”
Think of it! Before human history, human history up to this point, and eternity to come have all been orchestrated by God to say and to mean, “I love you. I will always love you” to each of us and all of us at the expense of the Crown Jewel of Heaven Himself.
How valuable must you and I be to plan for so carefully and provide for so fully?
Think of it! How many nations have arisen and fallen in human history, and yet the ethnic Jewish people persevere to this very day from whom Jesus appeared as both Christ and Lord? Mark Hitchcock in The End reports that Jesus fulfilled around 300 prophesies in His life and ministry—over 30 on Calvary’s cross alone.
What are the odds that Christ will fulfill the rest of God’s promises that are outstanding as of yet? Set your hopes and dreams on Him!
What are the odds that He will prove Himself faithful to you personally? You cannot lose!
Let yourself rest in Christ’s trustworthy hands and plan, so you can release white-knuckled strain.
