In recent few years, my wife and I have been blessed with several grandchildren. It is quite a blessing to watch each of them as they grow and mature. It is particularly wonderful to see them undergo many of life’s experiences for the very first time. My post today comes as a result of one such experience that recently unfolded.
Not too long ago, one of our grandsons was due his next round of shots. As his mother dutifully packed him into the car seat and prepared him for the trip to the doctor’s office for the ordeal, she discovered that he had grabbed an item from their living room to take with him on the trip. Of all things, held firmly in his iron-tight little grip was the small baby Jesus from their nativity scene!
Needless to say, she immediately recognized the great spiritual truth embedded within the whole situation. In this seemingly innocent little action, her son had actually illustrated a profound truth. For we who are followers of Jesus Christ know that whenever we face an impending difficulty, no matter how traumatic, we do not have to face it alone! Our Lord and Savior has promised to go through it with us!
We know this for two reasons. The first is because the Bible tells us so. In the New Testament Book of Hebrews (chapter 13, verse 5), we are reminded of God’s promise to us when He said: “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”
We are also told in the First New Testament Letter of the Apostle Paul to the Corinthians (chapter 10, verse 13) that: “God is faithful: He will not let you be tried beyond what you are able to bear, but with the trial will also provide a way out so that you may be able to endure it.”
The second reason is because all of us who are genuine believers have invariably lived out the truth of these promises! And we have the testimony of God’s faithfulness as a result.
My grandson survived the ordeal. He got through the doctor’s visit and made it back home just fine. I am happy to report that, other than a few expected side effects from his shots, he is now doing just fine!
And baby Jesus? He too completed the trip and is doing just fine. In fact, even now, He is ensconced once again in my grandson’s home, ready and willing to undertake any other journey and offer any other support wherein He might be needed.
I trust you know that this same Jesus has promised to be with you and with me as well. And for the very same reason and with the very same results! I hope you know this and that you understand that you do not have to travel the road of life alone! Remember the promise of the Psalmist (as found in Psalm 145, verse 18): “The LORD is near to all who call on him…”
I leave you with the words of a famous hymn written by Lydia Baxter nearly a century and a half ago…
Take the name of Jesus with you, Child of sorrow and of woe.
It will joy and comfort give you, Take it then where'er you go.
Precious name, O how sweet! Hope of earth and joy of heaven;
Precious name, O how sweet! Hope of earth and joy of heaven.
Take the name of Jesus ever, As protection ev'rywhere.
If temptations 'round you gather, Breathe that holy name in prayer.
Precious name, O how sweet! Hope of earth and joy of heaven;
Precious name, O how sweet! Hope of earth and joy of heaven.
At the name of Jesus bowing, When in heaven we shall meet,
King of kings, we'll gladly crown him When our journey is complete.
Precious name, O how sweet! Hope of earth and joy of heaven;
Precious name, O how sweet! Hope of earth and joy of heaven.
Amen!
SOURCES:
SCRIPTURES:
https://biblehub.com/hebrews/13-5.htm; https://biblehub.com/1_corinthians/10-13.htm; and https://biblehub.com/psalms/145-18.htm.
HYMN:
https://hymnary.org/text/take_the_name_of_jesus_with_you_child_of.
NOTE:
I almost titled this particular blog post: "I Need Thee, Oh I Need Thee!" Cf. https://hymnary.org/text/i_need_thee_every_hour_most_gracious_lor.
Not too long ago, one of our grandsons was due his next round of shots. As his mother dutifully packed him into the car seat and prepared him for the trip to the doctor’s office for the ordeal, she discovered that he had grabbed an item from their living room to take with him on the trip. Of all things, held firmly in his iron-tight little grip was the small baby Jesus from their nativity scene!
Needless to say, she immediately recognized the great spiritual truth embedded within the whole situation. In this seemingly innocent little action, her son had actually illustrated a profound truth. For we who are followers of Jesus Christ know that whenever we face an impending difficulty, no matter how traumatic, we do not have to face it alone! Our Lord and Savior has promised to go through it with us!
We know this for two reasons. The first is because the Bible tells us so. In the New Testament Book of Hebrews (chapter 13, verse 5), we are reminded of God’s promise to us when He said: “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”
We are also told in the First New Testament Letter of the Apostle Paul to the Corinthians (chapter 10, verse 13) that: “God is faithful: He will not let you be tried beyond what you are able to bear, but with the trial will also provide a way out so that you may be able to endure it.”
The second reason is because all of us who are genuine believers have invariably lived out the truth of these promises! And we have the testimony of God’s faithfulness as a result.
My grandson survived the ordeal. He got through the doctor’s visit and made it back home just fine. I am happy to report that, other than a few expected side effects from his shots, he is now doing just fine!
And baby Jesus? He too completed the trip and is doing just fine. In fact, even now, He is ensconced once again in my grandson’s home, ready and willing to undertake any other journey and offer any other support wherein He might be needed.
I trust you know that this same Jesus has promised to be with you and with me as well. And for the very same reason and with the very same results! I hope you know this and that you understand that you do not have to travel the road of life alone! Remember the promise of the Psalmist (as found in Psalm 145, verse 18): “The LORD is near to all who call on him…”
I leave you with the words of a famous hymn written by Lydia Baxter nearly a century and a half ago…
Take the name of Jesus with you, Child of sorrow and of woe.
It will joy and comfort give you, Take it then where'er you go.
Precious name, O how sweet! Hope of earth and joy of heaven;
Precious name, O how sweet! Hope of earth and joy of heaven.
Take the name of Jesus ever, As protection ev'rywhere.
If temptations 'round you gather, Breathe that holy name in prayer.
Precious name, O how sweet! Hope of earth and joy of heaven;
Precious name, O how sweet! Hope of earth and joy of heaven.
At the name of Jesus bowing, When in heaven we shall meet,
King of kings, we'll gladly crown him When our journey is complete.
Precious name, O how sweet! Hope of earth and joy of heaven;
Precious name, O how sweet! Hope of earth and joy of heaven.
Amen!
SOURCES:
SCRIPTURES:
https://biblehub.com/hebrews/13-5.htm; https://biblehub.com/1_corinthians/10-13.htm; and https://biblehub.com/psalms/145-18.htm.
HYMN:
https://hymnary.org/text/take_the_name_of_jesus_with_you_child_of.
NOTE:
I almost titled this particular blog post: "I Need Thee, Oh I Need Thee!" Cf. https://hymnary.org/text/i_need_thee_every_hour_most_gracious_lor.