Midweek Snack for your Soul my friend.

“RIGHTS.”

When you get up in pain day after day with no one to share but the author of life, you are likely to learn to live with pain and learn more about life, living and the giver of life. A wounded person is a hurting person.

Whether his wounds are real or fictitious, the truth of the matter is that he is hurting and more likely will hurt others if the sympathy he receives does not stop the bleeding of his wounds.

Apart from the curse that, “misery love companion” there is the added tendency of idolatry which is to grasp the closest visible thing I can get hold to keep me from being swept away by the force of the current to the crest of the river.

In times of adversity the voices of the friends of Job will visit you at the counsel of their own will, while in loneliness you lick your wounds being in the need of fellowship of your greatest longings.

When your comforters are not sent from God, you will likely find their comfort insufficient in comparison with the comfort from above. Do not seek help from him who cannot help, because your loneliness will be greater at the end for having turn from the fresh streams of water to stagnated waters of wells full of tadpoles.

Rejoice anyway, for he who is invisible is closer in such a times to remind you that he has not left from your side just because your wandering eyes might have turned away from Jesus for a brief moment.

Do not be fear little flock that, as you get closer to the pearly gates, there should be such a testing of your faith. Take it as the wedding rehearsal and say to yourself, “I want to be ready for my bridegroom” if not now when? Nothing can go wrong for you now. The worse is behind and the gates of Hell are but a distant memory. Your journey ends at the Supreme Court of Justice where the Judge happens to be the Father of your Lord and Defender Jesus.

When tempted to talk too much in self-pity, remember “YOUR RIGHTS”. “You have the right to remain silent for anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of Law.” Silence, loneliness and intimacy in the secret chamber with God are your best antidote against “self incrimination. ”Say with Job, "I am unworthy--how can I reply to you? I put my hand over my mouth.”

He who is the Word of God has spoken to reveal “HIS RIGHTS”, so let him who has ears to hear, hear what the spirit of God has spoken.
Let Jesus talk on your behalf. Let the Books of God be open and get ready to speak the one word your heart longs to shout when the roll is called up be-yonder say “YES” at the sound of your name.
Jesus bought for you with his blood the Right to say YES to God.

“Do you understand your Rights?”
YES! Good!

Gerry Gutierrez.

PS. Last month in Washington DC with Steve , Carl and Walter at the 75 anniversary of McLean PCA.