It wasn’t so hard to understand the possibility of taking advices from King David, a man who got chased from his throne by his own son. I joined him in his flight.
Do you think it strange when I ended up in prison with the ruler, Joseph, a man who was sold by his own brothers? In the darkness we gasped for light.
It wasn’t a mystery discovering the great supplanter, Jacob, whose life was desired to be ended by his own twin. We ran away with all our might.
Would you have been puzzled when I found myself in a ship with Jonah, who thought it best to run from his God? Storms in the ocean turned us white.
It wasn’t at all startling to find myself locked up in an ark with Noah, who shut himself and his family from his own people. Our lives were shaken by the waters’ height.
Maybe it should have been a wonder when I ran from Damascus with Paul, who was to be killed by his own religious brethren. He taught to fight the good fight.
But…
It was with great humility we were all summoned to join, in death, our Savior, Christ Himself, who didn’t survive eternal punishment from his own creatures. He gave us the strength to go on even in the chastisement and blight.
Christ promised us restoration.
Spirit guaranteed our redemption.
God ushered His Son – a reward.
Jesus gifted the Spirit – His due we can never afford.
Paul suffered the most of all the apostles….but God…restored his soul.
Noah wept at the futility of his muscles ….yet God…restored his soul.
Jonah repented at the belly of the beast…but God…restored his soul.
Jacob ran in fear, for his brother’s right he leased…yet God…restored his soul.
Joseph yearned and long-suffered for his family…but…God restored his soul.
David wrote some psalms in pain…but…God restored his soul.
Christ was killed for my gain…and God…raised his soul.
I look back and couldn’t see anyone, yet, somehow, without a doubt, I knew I was surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses. It wasn’t the first time I found myself in such a predicament. Some were sufferings for good; others, by my own foolishness.
Nevertheless, he restored and still restores many. He shall surely restore me again.
The sand felt hot under my cracked feet.
My belly roared for some form of meat.
In spite of it all the bleak distance shone in hope. Courage seeped into me again to take another step.
Why?
Because every time I’ve found myself in lack, Spirit made me whole;
Each time I found the strength to go, Christ was, and still is my goal –
And every time I get caught in the deep, God, He restores my soul!!!
The Prisoner of Christ
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