COURAGE!

John 10:22-30

It was the time when the feast of Dedication was being celebrated in Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was in the Temple walking up and down in the Portico of Solomon. The Jews gathered round him and said, ‘How much longer are you going to keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.’ Jesus replied: ‘I have told you, but you do not believe. The works I do in my Father’s name are my witness; but you do not believe, because you are no sheep of mine. (1) The sheep that belong to me listen to my voice; (2) I know them and they follow me. (3) I give them eternal life; (4) they will never be lost; (5) and no one will ever steal them from me. (6) The Father who gave them to me is greater than anyone, (7)       and no one can steal from the Father. (8) The Father and I are one.

Food for thought!

Jesus, in these few words, said eight things about his sheep that need our attention. There are eight great truths that should lift up all of us who are bowed down or discouraged by whatever we are going through. They are words of assurance. It is as if Jesus said, don't be afraid because THE FATHER AND I ARE ONE. 

And because I and the Father are one, says Jesus, I am God just as is the Father; I mean what I say, and I say what I mean. So, listen to my voice all of you that belong to me. And because I know all of you that follow me: 1) I give you eternal life; 2) I will not let you be lost; 3) nobody can and will steal you from me; 4) because the Father gave you all to me; and 5) no one can steal what the Father has given me. Therefore, Jesus is telling us to have COURAGE!

So, be truly glad! There is wonderful joy ahead, even though it is necessary for you to endure many trials for a while. (1 Peter 1:6 ) 

So be strong and take courage, all you who put your hope in the Lord! (Psalm 31:24 )

I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me. (Psalm 16:8 ) 

We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they are good for us—they help us learn strength of character in us, and character strengthens our confident expectations of salvation. And this expectation will not disappoint us for we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. (Romans 5:3 ) 

So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it. (Hebrews 4:16 ) 

God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. (Psalm 46:1 ) 

I have refined you but not in the way silver is refined. Rather, I have refined you in the furnace of suffering. I will rescue you for my sake,—yes, for my own sake! (Isaiah 48:10 ) 

“We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed and broken. We are perplexed, but we don’t give up and quit. We are hunted down, but God never abandons us. We get knocked down, but we get up again and keep going…” (2 Corinthians 4: 8-10 ) 

“For you will rescue me from my troubles and help me to triumph ...” (Psalm 54:7 ) 

“So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and in his good time he will honor you. Give all your worries and care to God, for he cares about what happens to you.” (1 Peter 5:6-7)