In Joshua Chapter 6, we read the story of the fall of the city of Jericho. The Israelites had crossed the Jordan River and entered the land promised to them by God, the land of Canaan. However, they faced a major obstacle - the city of Jericho. This fortified city was standing in the way of the Israelites being able to move further into Canaan. They had to destroy it to be able to move further into the land. Upon God’s instruction, Joshua commanded the priests carrying the ark of the covenant and the army, to silently march around the city once for six days. On the seventh day, they were to march around the city seven times, with the priests blowing trumpets. The seventh time, the priests were to give a long blow on the trumpets, the army was to give a shout and the walls of the city would collapse. When they had done all of this and the walls collapsed, they swarmed into the city and destroyed and burned it but saved a prostitute and her family because she had helped them when they came to spy out the city and the land.
    There is no logical reason why walls as thick and as fortified as the walls of Jericho should collapse simply by marching around it. Yet, when God is in it, anything impossible becomes possible. The reality is that the city of Jericho was a strong city preventing the Israelites from being able to move further into Canaan. The city was strategically positioned and fortified so that intruders could not easily enter Canaan. Yet, God was with Israel, and not even the strongest of fortifications could prevent them from receiving what God had promised them. 
    When you think about it in this light, it means that nothing that the enemy sends your way, could truly prevent you from receiving God’s will for you. The enemy may be able to delay or hinder you, but only for a time. He cannot stand in your way forever. It’s about trusting God to bring to pass His promise, His Word in your life and in His time.
    What’s also interesting is that the Israelites had already faced a major obstacle as they tried to enter the land of Canaan - the Jordan River (Joshua 3:7-17). At the time they were ready to enter Canaan, it was that time of the year when the Jordan River burst its banks. I have seen a video or two on this overflow and believe me, it is not a place that you would want to cross especially with women and children. It would have been easier to cross that river when it had not overflown its banks. But the thing with God is that the more impossible the situation, the more His power and might are evident. God will never put us through a situation He cannot handle. We may not be able to handle it, but He can. So, the Jordan River experience would have been one way to strengthen their faith in God for what lay ahead - the city of Jericho. God will always allow tough situations to strengthen our faith in Him. God gave them the breakthrough at the Jordan River and in so doing prepared them to be confident that He would give them another breakthrough at the city of Jericho. 
    The thing is, we don’t like impossible situations. Yes, we may know that God is able and that He can bring us through but I don’t think we actually like what we have to go through to experience this reality. The sight of the Jordan River’s overflowed banks and rushing waters may have looked intimidating to the Israelites. The reality of Jericho standing in their way may have also been intimidating to them. But the reality is that each time, God gave them strategies to help them overcome. The God of breakthrough showed them exactly how to make it successfully through each obstacle they faced. What was impossible for them to accomplish was certainly not impossible for their God. God did it for them - each time - and He will do the same for you.
    If you have not accepted Jesus Christ into your life as your Lord and Saviour, I encourage you to do so today. God knows that this life will at times bring impossible situations your way. But He also knows that He is able to handle every impossible situation that comes your way. He is still the God of the breakthrough, the God who will enable you to successfully navigate every obstacle, every challenge you may face. Be encouraged. 
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    While thinking of what to write for this blog, I pulled up a song that had been shared with me some time ago. It’s entitled “Joy Comes In The Morning” sung by Martha Borg. I had actually heard it earlier in the day and felt led to play it again … on repeat! At some point I realised that it fell within my theme for this month - the God of Joy.
    The first verse of the song says:
    Tears often fall on my face in sorrow
    And as I walk on through the long, lonely nights
    Often I cry when it seems no one hears me
    Then through the shadows I can see the dawning of light
Can you relate? We have all faced challenging seasons. During those times, we may have often felt as if there was no way out, that we would die right there in that wilderness. And maybe in those down times of discouragement and despair, we may have cried out to God: “God how long? God when?” You may have felt as if you were in a pit with a lid on it that you couldn’t push out of the way to allow you to escape. This paints a pretty discouraging picture but maybe you can understand. Yet, this verse ends on words that suggest hope and the possibility that you are going to make it out. 
    But the chorus of this song is what touches me. 
    Hold on my child joy comes in the morning
    Weeping only lasts for the night
    Hold on my child joy comes in the morning
    The darkest hour means dawn is just in sight
It means that no matter how dark things look, when God is in that cave, that valley, that dark place with you, you will make it! God is not standing by watching you suffer and be in distress. Rather, He is right there with you. He’s actually giving you the comfort and strength and grace you need to endure. Yes, He will bring you out in His time, but just know that the darkest part of your story will also be your most powerful.
    Jesus’ victory would not have been impactful if He had not gone through death and a brief time in hell. His victory was meaningful because He didn’t stay where He was, He broke out of that dark place. It could not hold Him down. It could not keep Him back. It could not stop Him from fulfilling His purpose for coming to this earth. In fact, that was exactly His purpose - to conquer death, hell and the grave and to offer us eternal life!
    In Psalm 30:5 we read these powerful words: “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.” Interestingly, when we look at the first three verses of that Psalm, the psalmist is giving thanks and praise to God for what He has done for him: He did not allow his enemies to rejoice over him, He healed him, He delivered him from death and hell. He also reminds us at the beginning of verse 5 that God’s anger is but for a moment and His favour is for a lifetime. The final lines in verse 5 sum it all up as a reminder to us that no matter what we are going through and how long it takes for deliverance to come, negative situations don’t last because God will always come through for us, specifically for those of us who choose to put our trust in Him. 
    The night truly doesn’t last, neither do trials. Just as morning surely comes without fail or delay, just so your deliverance will come. It’s about having hope in the God of joy who will never leave you nor forsake you when you are going through difficult situations; the God of joy who will give you grace as needed; the God of joy who will rescue you. It’s about His timing, His way of delivering, His way of bringing His own Word to pass. Just trust Him.
    If you have not accepted Jesus Christ into your life as your personal Lord and Saviour, I encourage you to do so today. The God of joy will come through for you. He will not leave you hopeless or helpless. At the right time, the light of hope will burst through your darkness and bring the deliverance you need. Be encouraged.

    In the book of Genesis, we read the story of Joseph, one of the sons of Israel. He is favoured by his father because he was the son of his old age. Unfortunately, this favour incited the jealousy of his brothers who hated him even more when he had a dream suggesting he would rule over them. So, when the opportunity came, they sold him to traders, who were on their way to Egypt. They lied to their father making him believe that he had been killed by a wild animal.
​   Joseph faced both favour and challenges while in Egypt. Even when he found himself in prison because of false accusation, God’s favour covered him. When God gave Pharaoh a dream and only Joseph could interpret it as well as assist in the fulfilment of the dream, he was elevated to a high position in that country. This gave him the opportunity to provide help for his family in their time of need.
    The story of Joseph is a very interesting one. It is filled with all the twists and turns of a modern day drama. Yet, a closer look at this story reveals God’s hand at every turn. By the end of the story, you are able to see how God was very actively involved in putting every piece together to bring about a very desirable ending. 
    Joseph’s life may have been one of favour, evident through his father, the Egyptian officer, Potiphar, the jail keeper, and last of all Pharaoh himself. Yet, on his way to greatness, he encountered challenges, discouragement and disappointment. To be sold by his brothers to traders could not have been easy. To be sent to a foreign land away from the father he loved could have been downright difficult. I am sure he experienced times of confusion wondering what was happening and why. I believe he may have even experienced times of pain and bitterness when he faced unfair treatment. He went through a very long season possibly filled with fear, uncertainty, doubt and discouragement. 
    I am sure we have all been through tough seasons - and may still be going through such seasons - where things were so difficult that you were not sure to make it through. It’s one thing to know that God is able, that God is the God of the impossible, but when you are in the midst of it and can see no way out, your faith can be pretty low. You see it happen for other people but wonder when and if it will happen for you too. You may even feel happy for others who make it through their difficult times but wonder if you will make it through yours. I’m just being real because this is where you are reminded that serving God doesn’t mean that your bed of roses doesn’t have thorns. And sometimes, the thorns seem much more pronounced than the roses. 
    Maybe that is how Joseph felt many times. He knew God was with him but could see no way of returning home to the family that he missed. Yet, God’s Word says that He works all things together for our good. God took both the good and the bad that Joseph experienced and turned it out for good. I believe that God used this experience to work on some things in Joseph’s life that needed to be worked on. He was preparing him for the realisation of his dream. 
    But what I love about God is this: He is the God of joy. After all that He allowed Joseph and his family to go through, He brought joy! He brought joy back into Jacob’s life when he discovered that his son Joseph was not dead after all but very much alive! He brought joy back into Joseph’s life because the family he thought he would never see again, he not only saw again, but was the means of providing a home for them right where he lived! And his brothers? God brought joy to them when they experienced forgiveness from the very person who had every right to hate them and treat them like they had him. He chose to forgive them and provided provisions and security. Only God!
    No matter how bad things may seem, no matter if it seems like there is no way out, you may even feel like you will die right there in your wilderness, can I say this? You won’t! You will survive and thrive. You  will make it through and come out alive. And on top of it all, you will experience God’s joy! In fact, it doesn’t matter what is happening around you or in you, in God’s presence there is fullness of joy and at His right hand, pleasures forevermore (Psalm 16:11). The God of joy does not stop being who He is because life gets hard. No! The God of joy is your strength, your song, your praise no matter what comes your way. Be encouraged!
    If you have not accepted Jesus Christ into your life as your personal Lord and Saviour I encourage you to do so today. The God of joy is ever-present, always willing and able to help you when you need Him. Trust Him to do what no one else can. Trust His joy to be your strength when you need it.

    In Luke 15:8-9, we read the story of a woman who had ten silver coins. She unfortunately lost one of them. She consequently lights a lamp, sweeps the house and begins a diligent and desperate search for that coin. When she finally finds it, she calls her friends and neighbours telling them to rejoice because she had found her lost coin. 
    To understand her desperate search, you have to understand the significance and value of that coin. One might say that she had only lost one, she still had nine more. But that wasn’t how she saw it. For one thing, the coin she lost was called a drachma, a silver coin equivalent to a Roman denarii and whose value was equivalent to a day’s wage. Yet, for a woman in that culture it carried even greater value. Traditionally, a woman was given ten silver coins as a wedding gift. These she would sew into a headband or necklace. It was pretty much like a wedding ring and was a symbol of the woman’s marital status and security. Finding that coin was therefore of great importance to that woman.
    Have you ever lost something of great value? To what lengths did you go to find it? I think many of us know what it’s like to suffer loss of some kind. It may be the loss of a loved one, the loss of a relationship, the loss of an item of value. In this story, the context points to God’s love for us and His diligent pursuit of us. Before coming into a relationship with Him, God diligently pursues us desiring a relationship He knows will bring a sense of worth and security we so desperately desire. Even when we reject Him, even when we don’t desire Him, that does not stop Him from reaching out earnestly to us. 
    I remember a number of years ago, when I had moved away from my relationship with God, I realised somewhere along the way, that God still loved me and wanted me to come back into a right relationship with Him. Even when it was difficult for me to make that step myself, God was more than willing and able to help me find my way back to Him. But can I tell you, God was not the only one who rejoiced when I rededicated my life to Him? I too experienced joy. The Bible talks about the angels in heaven rejoicing when one sinner comes to repentance (Luke 15:10). That tells me that God loves us so much, He is excited when we make that step to commit or even recommit our lives to Him! Imagine that! The God of the universe is excited when we choose to serve Him! We may feel so insignificant, even invisible before this great God but God does not see us as invisible or unimportant. He loves us that much!
    But, as I said, I too, experienced joy. I had been experiencing so much depression at times because of moving away from Him that when I returned to Him and He welcomed me with open arms, I guess it overwhelmed me. God loved me even though I had not been faithful to Him. God loved me even though I had chosen other gods over Him. He. loved. me. I couldn’t and still can’t do a thing to change that and neither can you. That in itself is a source of joy. 
    So, I encourage you today to choose the God that is a guaranteed source of joy. Just knowing that He would choose you over and over again should make you feel encouraged and secure in His love for you.
    If you have not accepted Jesus Christ into your life as your personal Lord and Saviour, I encourage you to do so today. God would go to any lengths to reach us and to bring us into a secure place in Him. He is still the source of our joy no matter what life sends our way. Be encouraged.​

    In Genesis Chapter 12, God instructs Abraham, formerly Abram, to leave his country and his father’s household and to go to the land He would direct him to. He promised to make him a great nation, that his name would be blessed and that he would be blessed and be a blessing to others. Abraham was seventy-five years old when God spoke to him.
    The problem was that Abraham’s wife, Sarah, was barren and she was past child-bearing age. God, however, promised Abraham that his offspring would inherit the land of Canaan to which He was directing him. Abraham and Sarah had no idea how God was going to do it. They even tried to make God’s Word come to pass through Sarah’s handmaiden, Hagar. Hagar was able to bear Abraham a son, but God did not accept this child as the child of promise. God was going to do the impossible through his wife, Sarah, and cause her to bear a child in her old age. 
    Twenty-five years after His promise, Sarah, at ninety years old, gave birth to her first-born son, Isaac. God did what was impossible for man to do. 
    At the time God spoke to Abraham, both he and his wife had most likely already given up on the thought of having children. They were both advanced in age and were probably simply content with their situation. Have you ever been in a situation where things were not working out the way you had hoped and planned and you simply became comfortable with how things were? You were past the stage of disappointment, even past the stage of hope and you simply chose to be content. Abraham and his wife were most likely not even thinking about children anymore. And then, God came on the scene. 
    What I find interesting is that God chose a barren couple to fulfil His will. He could have chosen a couple, much younger in age and able to easily have children. But He did not. God chose an impossible situation to do an impossible thing. You may look at your life and at your situation and all you see is the “impossible.” You can’t see yourself past your limitations and challenges. But here’s the thing - God can take all that you are not and do something great and excellent with it. When people may look at you and also see what’s impossible, God does not see the way man sees. God is able to do amazing things with an ordinary life, amazing things with a broken life, amazing things with a life that doesn’t seem to have much to offer. Here’s the key - God can do it!
    But the key thing with this story is the fact that God can bring joy out of unexpected situations. When we’re not looking for it, when we’re not expecting it, God can bring joy through unexpected miracles and blessings. That’s the God we serve. God delights in putting a smile on our face and joy in our hearts. He delights to do what He knows we can’t do on our own. Imagine Sarah’s joy at being able to produce life when she thought that this opportunity was gone. Imagine her joy at no longer being negatively labeled by society because of barrenness. Imagine her joy at the fact that what God had promised, He had brought to pass … not them! They couldn’t do it but they had connected with a God who could!    
    Yet, it doesn’t stop there. They named their son “Isaac” which means “laughter.” And Sarah said, “God has made me laugh and all who hear will laugh with me.” She also said, “Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? For I have borne him a son in his old age.” (Genesis 21:6-7) Imagine here Sarah’s joy that she was able to provide a child for her husband and not have to rely on anyone else to do it for him. God sees the secret pain and disappointment of our hearts that no one else sees. 
    Yes, God is love but He is also joy, turning impossible situations around thus bringing joy to our hearts and lives. As I love to say, God sees, God hears, God knows and He will answer when we least expect it and in ways we least expect. Be encouraged!
    If you have not accepted Jesus Christ into your life as your personal Lord and Saviour, I encourage you to do so today. God delights in replacing our sorrow with joy, in sending unexpected blessings our way. He loves us and has a beautiful plan for our lives. Just trust Him!  

    In Luke 10:25-37, we read the story of the good Samaritan. When an expert in the law asks Jesus what he should do to inherit eternal life, Jesus asks him what the Law says. The man replies: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,” and “your neighbour as yourself.” (v.27) Jesus told him that he had responded correctly and added that he should do the same so that he might live. But the man further pressed Him wanting to know who was his neighbour. Jesus then shared the story of a man who was attacked by thieves while on his way from Jerusalem to Jericho. He was stripped of his clothing, wounded and left half dead. A priest came along and saw him but he passed on the other side. A levite also came and saw him and passed on the other side. A Samaritan also came and when he saw him, he had compassion on him. He bandaged his wounds and poured on oil and wine. He put him on his animal, took him to an inn and took care of him. The next day, as he was leaving, he gave the innkeeper some money and asked him to take care of him. He added that if the innkeeper spent more on his care, when he returned, he would repay him. When Jesus asked the expert in the law which one of the men were the man’s neighbour, he told Jesus the one who had shown him mercy. Jesus encouraged him to go and do the same. 
    I usually view this story as one that encourages us to show kindness to others, no matter who they might be. But there is in fact a bigger picture. What that Samaritan did for that unfortunate man, is what Jesus has done for all of us. It does not matter who we are, what we have done or what we have been through. Christ came to die for all. Traditionally, Jews and Samaritans did not get along. So the fact that this Samaritan chose to help this Jew, especially when the Jew’s own countrymen - the priest and the Levite - refused to help him, is truly an act of compassion and love. That’s exactly what God chose to do for us. He did not just send His Son, Jesus, to die for the Jew but for the Gentile as well. God’s love and His gift of salvation encompasses all.
    The rejection by the Jewish man’s fellow Jews is a reminder to us that at times we too may be rejected or ignored by those around us - sometimes those we most expect to show compassion to us. That can be painful. Have you ever reached out to someone, expecting them to help you but instead face rejection? They may make up an excuse or just outright refuse to help you. Rejection is not an easy thing to deal with especially coming from those you expect to show sympathy. Yet, at times rejection is a very real part of life. 
    God’s love and compassion, on the other hand, is in stark contrast to that rejection. God is not turned off by who you are, what you’ve done or failed to do, or by the situation you are going through. God’s love sees right through all of that and chooses to care about your need. In our darkest moments, God’s love shines through like a light giving us hope and encouragement. Nothing can separate us from God’s love for us. Nothing can stop God from loving us. And, more than two thousand years ago, nothing stopped Him from sacrificing His Son so that we could have the gift of eternal life. The Samaritan gave all of his help without holding back. So too, God gave and continues to gives us His love without holding back. 
    God will never withhold His gift of salvation from us but we do have to make the choice to receive it. The Jewish man’s life was restored because of the Samaritan’s act of kindness and selflessness. God wants to restore your life and give you the gift of life eternal. Will you make that choice today? You will not be disappointed.
    If you have not yet accepted Jesus Christ into your life as your personal Lord and Saviour, I encourage you to do so today. God’s love and compassion never fail. If He is willing to give you the gift of eternal life, why not be willing to receive it. The choice is yours.

    In Acts 13:1-12, Paul and Barnabas are set apart for the work of the Lord. They are subsequently led by the Holy Spirit to different cities where they preach the Gospel. When they arrive at Paphos, they meet a Jewish sorcerer and false prophet named Bar-Jesus, also known as Elymas. He was an attendant of the proconsul, Sergius Paulus. The latter sends for Paul and Barnabas because he wanted to hear the word of God. However, Elymas tries to discourage him from the faith. However, Paul filled with the Holy Spirit, rebukes him and he becomes blind. When the proconsul, impressed by the teaching about the Lord, sees this, he immediately believes.
    A few things get my attention about this story of salvation. One, a Roman proconsul desires to hear the word of God. This man was extremely wealthy. He was a member of the senatorial class which boasted great wealth and political power in the Roman empire. It would seem he had everything and lacked nothing, yet, he was curious about the word of God. Clearly he had heard about Paul and Barnabas and their teaching and he wanted to know more. Thankfully, his curiosity caused him to receive something far greater and more valuable than all that he had - salvation. 
    This reminds me of the reality that salvation is for everyone, not just the poor, not just for those who are struggling. God sees all of our need. He is not distracted by our outward accomplishments because He knows that our soul is not satisfied by these things. Thank God that He sent Paul and Barnabas by the Holy Spirit to this particular city. He knew that that Roman proconsul needed so much more than what he already had - he needed salvation. 
    I love the reality that God is willing to embrace us all no matter our social standing, education, position or accomplishments. He knows that we all need Him. After all we have all come short of His glory and we need Him to provide us with a treasure far greater than what this world has to offer. 
    Second, the Jewish sorcerer tried to prevent his salvation. The good thing is, God did not allow him to succeed. What comes to my mind is the fact that God sees our heart. He knew that the proconsul wanted to hear about Him and He was not going to allow anyone or anything to prevent that from happening. 
    God sees your heart. He knows your desires. He knows what you need. The enemy may try to prevent you from connecting with God and receiving His best for you, but God knows exactly how to ensure that you get His help when you need it. In spite of the enemy’s best efforts, God is bigger and more powerful than any attempt the enemy may make to stop you from receiving God’s salvation and deliverance. 
    God sees. God knows. God cares. God knows exactly how to get to you, to help you in your time of need. Nothing and no one can stop God’s love from reaching you. God is all-powerful, all-mighty, more than able. Be encouraged.
    If you have not accepted Jesus Christ into your life as your personal Lord and Saviour, I encourage you to do so today. God loves you and when you reach out to Him, He will not ignore you. His desire to connect with you is even greater than your own. He will push past obstacles and challenges to ensure that you receive the salvation He desires for you.

    In Acts chapter 16:23-34, Paul and Silas are in Philippi where they are beaten and thrown into jail. In spite of their pain and discomfort, at midnight, they began to pray and sing hymns to God. Suddenly there was a great earthquake and all the doors to the jail cells were opened and the prisoners’ chains loosed. The keeper of the prison who had been asleep, awoke and saw the doors opened. He thought that the prisoners had escaped and he drew his sword intending to kill himself. But Paul called out to him assuring him that no one had left their cell. The jailer in turn fell down trembling before Paul and Silas asking them what he needed to do to be saved. They told him to believe on the Lord Jesus and he and his household would be saved. He brought them to his home where they preached to him and his family. They believed and were baptised. He also washed their wounds and gave them food to eat.
    I have focused in the past on the whole idea of Paul and Silas singing and praising God in spite of their dire circumstances and the reality of God’s deliverance because their attitude was one of worship instead of complaining. But today I am focusing on the jailer and his story. Interestingly, you would think that the purpose of the earthquake was to give Paul and Silas the opportunity to be set free. However, God used it to bring about a different kind of freedom - the one of a lost soul. It would seem that the purpose of Paul and Silas’ imprisonment was to save this Gentile jailer. 
    It reminds us that God would go to any lengths to bring about our salvation. After all, He already sacrificed His Son to pay the price for our sins so that we would not have to. It was therefore no small thing to sacrifice his disciples’ comfort to bring about the salvation of another. In God’s eyes, that jailer was important.
    Additionally, it is important to note that when that earthquake took place and the prison doors opened, not a single prisoner made an effort to escape. If they had, the jailer would have been punished, even put to death for the escape of the prisoners in his charge. God knew this and did not allow a single prisoner to move. Once again, it wasn’t about anyone escaping but about God proving His love for this one jailer, and the lengths to which He would go to get his attention and to motivate him to receive His gift of salvation. 
    For some of us, when we think about our own lives, if we are honest, we can remember the lengths God went to, just to get our attention. We are that important to Him. He loves us that much. 
    When the jailer realised that no one had made an effort to escape, he immediately came before Paul and Silas, asking them how he could be saved. He must have realised that what had happened was not normal. Somewhere along the line, he seemed to realise that God had a part to play in all of it and he wanted to connect with this God who clearly spared his own life. He knew there was an earthquake. He knew all chains were miraculously loosed and prison doors opened. But he was also forced to acknowledge something even more miraculous - not a prisoner had left their cell. God wanted to get his attention and He did. How far has God gone to get your attention? How did you respond?
    Finally, the jailer knew exactly who to go to ask about salvation. He must have heard Paul and Silas singing and praying to God. As children of God, our lives, in both the good times and the bad, should be the arrow that points people to Christ. We are the light of the world (Matthew 5:14 & 16) and we have the answer they need to escape the challenges this world has to offer. God is interested in using both our good times and our challenging ones to lead lost souls to Him. Don’t believe for one minute that that situation you are going through is in vain. God will use both the good and the bad in our lives to encourage someone else. Nothing we go through is wasted.
    If you have not accepted Jesus Christ into your life as your personal Lord and Saviour, I encourage you to do so today. God loves you and will go to any lengths to motivate you to serve Him. And when you turn your life over to Him, He will in turn use you to lead others to Him. 
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    In Luke 19:1-10 we meet Zacchaeus, a rich tax collector from Jericho. Jesus was passing through Jericho and when Zacchaeus heard about it he wanted to see Him. Unfortunately, he was short. He decided to climb a tree in hopes of seeing Jesus as He passed by. When Jesus reached the tree, He looked up, saw him and instructed him to come down because He was going to visit his home. However, those who heard what Jesus planned to do complained that He was going to be a guest at the home of a sinner. Zacchaeus on the other hand, was so overjoyed that he hurried down  from the tree and told the Lord that he would give half of his goods to the poor and if he had taken anything wrongfully from anyone, he would restore it fourfold. Jesus in turn declared: “Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” (vv.9-10)
    I found this story of salvation interesting for a few reasons. One, Zacchaeus’ tiny stature. He was short but he so desired to get a view of Jesus as He passed by that he decided to climb a tree. I love his determination. He didn’t let his small size stop him from getting a view of Jesus. How determined are we at times to connect with God? Do we make excuses or do we make an effort? We may feel the prompting of the Holy Spirit to stop what we’re doing and spend time with Him. At that point, do we submit to His leading or do we continue doing what we are doing thus deeming it more important than time with our Father? It can be so easy to make excuses. God will never interrupt us if it were not important and sometimes I think He just wants to spend some time with us. 
    Two, Jesus took notice of Zacchaeus. There may have been other people in trees and walls trying to get a glimpse of Jesus as He passed by. The Bible does not say. But Zacchaeus was in a tree and Jesus could have walked right past him, after all, there were so many other people around for Him to notice. But that’s the God we serve. He sees us. Even when others don’t see us or even care what’s going on in our lives, God chooses to take notice. I like to think that God is intentional. He intentionally chooses to take notice of us and to care about what concerns us. He doesn’t ignore us or pretend that we are not there. Others might. But God sees and chooses to pay attention.
    Three, Zacchaeus was not the most popular person in that town. He was a tax collector, the chief one at that. He had unfortunately wronged so many people and this deemed him unpopular, someone that no one wanted to be around because they could not trust him. His track record was not good. But Jesus chose not to focus on his flaws like everyone else. He saw the man and He saw his need. He chose to reach out to him when no one else would. By just inviting Himself to his house, He was able to bring about the necessary change in Zacchaeus’ life. Zacchaeus wanted and needed love just like everyone else and Jesus did not hold back, He freely gave it. Jesus sees you in a way that no one else does. He does not focus on your flaws but on you, the person, and He desires to meet your need. He loves you in a way that no one else can or may be even willing to. 
    Four, Jesus publicly acknowledged Zacchaeus. While people saw him as an outcast because of his profession, Zacchaeus’ desire to make things right, caused Jesus to publicly reverse his outcast status. Jesus reminded the crowd that Zacchaeus was a son of Abraham who had simply lost his way because of greed. He was as deserving of mercy and salvation like everyone else. 
    God is not blind to your faults and flaws. He knows them but chooses to offer the gift of salvation. God knows what you deserve, but He chooses to offer what you need - salvation. Jesus chose to pay the price for our sins so that we would not have to. It wasn’t because we deserve it - because we don’t - but because of God’s immeasurable love for us. Let’s not take His salvation for granted. If He is willing to give it, let’s be willing to receive it.
    If you have not accepted Jesus Christ into your life as your personal Lord and Saviour, I encourage you to do so today. God’s gift of salvation is not dependent on your worthiness but on His love for you. God desires the best for you in spite of your flaws and shortcomings. God loves you. Period. And there is nothing you can do to change that.
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    Robyn was on the way to the hospital in an ambulance fighting for her life. Doctors realised that she had several blood clots in her lungs and a large one in her heart. On the way to the hospital her husband, Phillip, a former pastor, prayed but felt as if God was not listening to him. Whatever he prayed for, the opposite seemed to happen. At the hospital, doctors got themselves ready to remove the clot in her heart. Unfortunately, by the time she got to the hospital, it had moved to her lungs. When her husband got to the hospital, she told him what had happened. The next thing he knew, she was going into cardiac arrest. The medical team made desperate efforts to remove the clot. 
    While waiting, Phillip prayed. He couldn’t picture his life without his wife. He asked God to show him if there was anything in his heart that he needed to get out of the way. The Holy Spirit asked him if he would give up on Him if He chose not to bring her back. He admitted it would not be easy but he promised Him that he would do his best to keep pressing on, that he would not give up on Him. He would keep standing, he would keep testifying, he would keep preaching. After he said that, he experienced a strange calm. 
    During this time, Robyn had coded and had been without a heartbeat for fifteen minutes. She found herself standing in front of Jesus. She felt awe, joy, peace. It was so bright she could not see His face. Jesus turned towards a particular dark place and He said, “Okay Satan show me what you think you’re going to do.” He went on further to say, “I Am is going to show you what I Am is going to do.” And Jesus breathed a breath and that breath went into Robyn and filled her lungs. Her body raised on the table at the hospital and they knew she was back. 
    Her heart and lungs began functioning again. The doctor expressed concern about possible damage to her brain. However, Robyn made a complete recovery and went home a week later.  
​    A few things caught my attention with this testimony. Phillip was crying out to God. He did not think he could go on without his wife. Yet, when Jesus asked him if he would give up on Him if He decided not to bring his wife back, Phillip affirmed that he would not give up on his God. After declaring that, he felt a strange peace. 
    For the past month I have been talking about God being a God of peace. It is interesting that when we fully surrender that fearful situation to Him, when we even surrender our desire for the outcome to Him, He gives us a peace that makes no sense. The problem may not have changed but we do in the midst of the trial. It’s about trusting God even though the outcome might not be what we would like. 
    While writing this post, after hearing Phillip’s response to God, I told God honestly, “Where would I go?” It was a legitimate rhetorical question  because if God is with me in the storm and giving me the strength I need to go through it, if things don’t work out the way I would like, why turn anywhere else? Who else could I turn to who would give me the peace and strength He provides. Who else would be able to sustain me like He does? Who else would help me both survive and thrive in the midst of a negative situation. For me, I agree with Phillip. I would keep serving God because nothing else would make sense. 
    When Job lost everything, even the support of family and friends, he worshipped God, he did not turn his back on Him. When David went through trial after trial, he never gave up on his God. When God told Abraham to sacrifice his only promised son, he chose obedience to God, thus choosing God over trying to keep his son alive. At the end of the day, our peace comes from knowing that our God is with us in both the good times and bad. He will never fail us, He will never abandon us, He is always there no matter what we may face. Giving up on God is not an option. The peace we so desperately need is all wrapped up in Him!
    If you have not accepted Jesus Christ into your life as your personal Lord and Saviour, I encourage you to do so today. The reality is we need God like we need air to breathe. Turning our back on Him is not an option. He is our everything and we are nothing and can do nothing without Him!