THE WORD 4 ev 1

Isaiah 63:9 - In all their distresses He too was distressed, and the angel of His presence saved them. In His love and mercy He redeemed them; He lifted them up and carried them all the days of old.

Jim was a good neighbor, a really nice guy, and I don’t want you to get any wrong ideas from this story. I needed a favor. I needed Jim’s help with something I did not feel able to do on my own,and his involvement had to be kept confidential. After listening, Jim told me why he felt it would be better for me to handle this on my own. Yet, he understood my awkward feeling with this particular situation and agreed to help in some way.

Before our conversation ended, Jim let me know there might come a time in the future when he might need to call on me for something. This favor wasn’t going to come without strings attached. Like I said, don’t get any wrong ideas or think less of Jim. He was just conducting business as many of us might do, nothing wrong or illegal. He was helpful to me, but he was also a shrewd administrator, and the world had taught him to get something in return for his efforts.

Jim was a good neighbor, but he didn’t love me as a father might love his child or a husband a wife. He certainly helped me out, but he also held out the possibility he might expect me to do the same. God saw us in our distress, and He too was distressed. He lifts us up; He carries us. In His love and mercy He has redeemed us, and there are no strings attached to that promise.

THE PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank You for Your unconditional love that is ours through Jesus our Savior. Amen.