Packaging. Sometimes, it’s the packaging of a product that draws your attention to the product. You might not need the product, but the packaging was so impressive that it drew your eye to the item. The placement of the item in the store also drew your eye – it was designed to bring you in, make you pause, look, and ultimately purchase the item. Sometimes, the item lived up to the advertising; sometimes, it didn’t.
I’m so glad Jesus isn’t like that. He is all we can say He is and more! I know Him as Savior, healer, comforter, provider, corrector, mind regulator, etc. I know Him as these things because these things have hit my life, and I’ve leaned on Him in good/bad times. Because He is “I Am,” then that means He’s everything whether I have gone through it or not.
We used to sing a song in church years ago, “Have you tried Jesus? He’s alright”. Nothing about Jesus is a gimmick. Jesus is “alright!”
This doesn’t mean that as soon as you or I call on Jesus, He will give us what we want, when we want it, in the manner we want it – He’s so much better than that. Whether He answers by delivering us or giving us strength to go through, He’s still alright!
He is willing to allow us to not understand His actions (or lack thereof). The disciples called Jesus on the carpet when the boat was thrown about during a severe storm. He had the nerve to be asleep in the bow of the ship! How could he be sleeping at a time like this? They asked him, don’t you care that we’re about to die? Of course, He cares, but He allowed them to experience Him in a manner they’d never known before. Jesus wasn’t faulty – He was revealing a glimpse of Him they didn’t know before that storm. They had no idea He had the power to speak to storms, and they’d obey. It was new to them! But they could say afterward it wasn’t what we thought!
I’m just stopping by today to remind you that Jesus didn’t prank you or that you’ve been a victim of false advertising. Our Lord is all the scriptures proclaim Him to be – and more. He really is I AM, and He hasn’t forgotten that you need Him to show up as __.
Keep calling on Him because He really is alright!!
And Moses said unto God, Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?12 And he said, Certainly I will be with thee; and this shall be a token unto thee, that I have sent thee: When thou hast brought forth the people out of Egypt, ye shall serve God upon this mountain.13 And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them?14 And God said unto Moses, I Am That I Am: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I Am hath sent me unto you. Exodus 3:11-14 (KJV)
And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side.36 And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships.37 And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.38 And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?39 And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.40 And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?41 And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him? Mark 4:35-41 )KJV)
In the Master’s Service,
Author/Pastor Michele D Robertson
28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
Matthew 11:28-29 (KJV)