Jesus Hears and Saves

It is good for Christians to consider:  how do your thoughts align with truth of God's word?  There can be a condemning voice that has an accusing tone we listen to, are beaten down by, and even ascribe to God--when God never said such things in Scripture.  If we would compare the content of those accusing words with God's word the Bible, we are able to recognise a foul, sulfurous stench which betrays lies Satan speaks to deceive people, aiming to turn focus away from God to themselves and bring despair to the hopeless.  Satan denigrates mankind and tells us how worthless we are, but Christ's sacrifice on the cross reveals His love and delight to save us sinners because He values us.  There is always hope in Jesus Christ for the repentant sinner, for He is loving, gracious and good.

God has proven countless times when people humble themselves, confessing and repenting of sin, He will forgive and accept the contrite of heart who trust Him.  During a season of Israel's history, God's people were guilty of grave abominations through idolatry, spiritual adultery and even human sacrifice, and they were unwilling to heed God's word or warnings through prophets He sent.  For centuries He endured their provocations and caused them to taste the bitter fruit of the sin they cultivated.  If they would only admit they had done wrong and return to Him, He would heal them.  God's loving desire for His erring people was shown in Jeremiah 3:21-22:  "A voice was heard on the desolate heights, weeping and supplications of the children of Israel. For they have perverted their way; they have forgotten the LORD their God. ²² "Return, you backsliding children, and I will heal your backslidings." "Indeed we do come to You, for You are the LORD our God."

How different are God's ways and thoughts from ours!  God did not demand the people bring sacrifices, maim themselves, go on a long pilgrimage or prove they had "changed their ways" with good deeds:  from the high places where they had viciously sacrificed children they could weep in repentance for their sin and how they had forgotten God.  Right there God they could return to God and He would heal their backslidings and self-inflicted wounds from sin.  This is similar to Jonah who returned to the LORD in repentance after being swallowed by a great fish.  Jonah 2:1-2 says, "Then Jonah prayed to the LORD his God from the fish's belly. ² And he said: "I cried out to the LORD because of my affliction, and He answered me. "Out of the belly of Sheol I cried, and You heard my voice."  In the whirring darkness of the fish's belly, God heard and answered Jonah.  He could not save or help himself, but God could and was inclined to do so.

Isn't it awesome God has sought, pursued and spoken to us?  If you have never known God or if you have walked away from Him or forgotten Him, Jesus is the Way--and the Way back to fellowship with God.  Wherever we are, whatever we've been doing, in our affliction we can cry out to God, repent of our sin and turn to the LORD who will answer us.  There are no hopeless cases as far as God is concerned, for He is able to deliver, save and redeem.  A Philippian jailor ran to Paul and Silas in prison and asked what he needed to do to be saved.  They replied, "Believe on the LORD Jesus Christ and you shall be saved." (Acts 16:31)  That very night that man and his whole household rejoiced, for God heard and answered their cries for salvation.  Today the same can be true for you because Jesus saves all who trust in Him!