Daily devotional, January 30, 2024 Anti-theft technology

"The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you,not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance." 2 Peter 3:9

The anti-theft technology used in bags today is amazing. There are hidden mesh wires in the fabric that will prevent slash and run thievery, zippers are reinforced and puncture proof, can be hidden, and have self-locking capabilities. The whole bag has RFID protection to prevent identity theft through scanning. Bags have straps that come with a wire that will prevent cut and run bag snatching.

As Christians we ought to know that we are safe in God’s hands. That as long as we abide and love Him above all else, there is nothing that could take us away far from His love and care.

In the Gospel according to St. John, he quoted Jesus as saying that as long as He is our shepherd, nothing can separate us from Him:

"My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand." 
John 10:27-28

The same thing was assured to us by St. Paul through his letter to the Roman Church:

"For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:38-39

So what does this mean for us? It means that as long as we are dwelling in the presence of God, we will not perish. That we can endure trials and sufferings because we can draw strength from Him. The Lord will give us the power to endure because He will be there with us, He will carry us through:

"But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me." 
2 Corinthians 12:9

The only thing then that could separate us from loving God, and make us leave His loving presence is when we sin. When we live dark lives, and get our conscience numb from doing what is disdainful in the eyes of the Lord. When we prioritize what we think is right for us, even if it breaks the commandments of the Lord.

“Surely the arm of the LORD is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear. For your hands are stained with blood, your fingers with guilt. Your lips have spoken falsely, and your tongue mutters wicked thing.”

In the above passage written by the Prophet Isaiah, he explained to the people that the problem is not with God because He will always hear us and that He is loving. When we commit sin, we tend to turn away from our fellowship with the Lord because of guilt, and along with that we get to experience the natural consequences of our sins.

Disobedience and pride are detestable to God and so when we cease to live in Christ-likeness, and stop trusting in Him we veer away from our relationship with Him. When that happens our ears seem deaf to the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and we are more prone to make mistakes and suffer due to our spiritual bankruptcy.

The good news is, regardless of our sins and mistakes, He will always be there waiting for us to repent. Like the Prodigal Son who remains loved and welcomed by his father, he had to endure the consequences of his disobedience and disrespect. And that is what happens to us when we turn our backs from God.
Either way, His arms remain outstretched towards us, always ready to welcome us in His embrace.

If we feel that we have been snatched from our good relationship with the Lord, we must take heart that we can come back, right at this moment, because our God is loving and merciful.

"and return to the Lord your God, you and your children, and obey his voice in all that I command you today, with all your heart and with all your soul, then the Lord your God will restore your fortunes and have mercy on you, and he will gather you again from all the peoples where the Lord your God has scattered you." Deuteronomy 30:2-3

Thank you for reading through our devotional today. I invite you to ponder on  John 10:22-30 and Romans 8:35-39 to dig deeper on today’s topic.

Reflection Question: Is there anything that keeps you from having a close fellowship with the Lord?

Conversation with the Lord: Heavenly Father, give me the confidence to come to you and repent from the sins that have affected my fellowship with you. I want to remain by your feet my Lord, so help me turn my back on my weaknesses that keep me from fully enjoying your love for me. Amen.