Show Me Where You Were

Scripture: Psalms 46:1-3

God, where were you?

No matter who you are or where you find yourself in life, you’ve probably asked this question at least once in life. Maybe you feel like this is a constant question in this season of your life. There are moments in life where it’s difficult to understand where God is or where He was when “that” happened – tragedy, heartbreak, the season where every part of you was desperate. Over the next few days, you can ask your Father, “Show me where you were!” and believe He will. 

Going back, to go forward 

This seems like an oxymoron but think about it for a moment. When you’ve experienced healing from something in your past, or thought of someone you needed to forgive, did you also notice it takes thinking of that person, or that place, or that moment to let go, release, forgive and move on? We cannot truly move forward while holding onto the past. Well, we can try, but we won’t get anywhere fast or effectively. 

Maybe it’s a person, maybe it’s an experience you had or maybe it’s God. I want you to imagine you’re in a room alone face to face with whatever “it” is. Whatever has been gripping your heart, consuming your mind, or stealing your attention. Whatever keeps you from what it is you truly desire, whatever keeps you from moving forward. You’re alone in a room with “it”. 

Now, what do you need to say? What is it you need to ask? What is it you need to let out? 

There is no shame here. There is no condemnation here. There is no guilt here. There is no bad question or any judgment. There is nothing you have to do, prove, or perfect. 

Say what you need to say now and together we can ask, “Papa, where were you? Show me where you were.”

Scriptures: John 8:1-11, Song of Songs 4:7, 1 John 2:1

Will this terrible feeling in my heart ever leave?

If I took the next few minutes to try and convince you that you had an accuser, for most of us it probably wouldn’t take much convincing, if any. Most of us are highly aware that we often feel accused. What many of us don’t realize is that there is an evil one behind all the accusations. Listen to this quote in Waking the Dead by John Eldredge, “The story of your life is the story of the long and brutal assault on your heart, by the one who knows what you can be and fears it.” Meaning: the enemy is always assaulting you and accusing you; his goal is to destroy your heart and steal your life. 

Why does the enemy want to ruin your life, and why does it feel sometimes like he’s doing just that? Because of the One, Jesus, who lives inside of you! The enemy wants to destroy your life because he wants to destroy the relationship you have with Jesus. The beautiful news though is this, you have an Advocate who has already won every battle for you. The accuser will always come to tear you down, condemn and shame you, but if you recognize that you have an Advocate who calls you forever righteous, you will live victorious. 

Look at the woman who was caught in adultery in John chapter eight. The woman was brought before Jesus by the religious leaders just after being caught in the very act of her sin. Can you imagine her shame in that moment? The religious leaders thought Jesus would condemn the woman, but instead, Jesus turned the focus off the woman’s sin by saying to her accusers, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.” When they left her alone with Jesus he said, “Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?” She replied, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.” 

Your accusers may disguise them­selves as the righteous ones. The accusations you hear in your heart and your mind all day long, may sound true. In fact, they may even be true. Just like the woman caught in adultery, maybe you keep finding yourself in the very act of your sin. Maybe you keep going back to the thing you said you’d never go back to. Friend, the good news is, even when you are rightly accused, your Jesus doesn’t accuse you. Even when you are wrong, even when you’re in the very act of your sin, Jesus says to you, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.” He is the One who stands between you and the enemy of your heart. As a Believer in Him, Jesus convicts you of your righteousness. He no longer sees any blemish and to Him, “there is no flaw in you.”

Scriptures: Luke 23:39-43, Psalms 91:14-16

Where and how can I run from this? If only there was a way out. Is there?

Friend, did you know that in Jesus you always have an escape? No matter your situation, when you set your love upon Jesus and call on His name, He promises to answer and deliver you. So many times, in life, it seems we need an escape. Can you remember the last time you thought to yourself, If only there was a way out? Or maybe you’re currently in a situation where you’ve been praying for a way out and an escape from a situation, person, or pattern that continues to lead to defeat or even darkness? 

Beloved, there is good news for you today. Although it may feel like you’re on your own, Jesus is with you. He has already gone before you, providing a way out and an escape from every path that leads to destruction or death. Jesus is the way out. Jesus is the escape. 

For the criminals who hung next to Jesus, it seemed that they got what they deserved. The criminals on the cross were reaping the consequences for their actions, but when one called on the name of Jesus—everything changed. 

Physically, it was impossible for the man who was once a criminal to escape. There was nothing he could do in his own strength or willpower to save himself. He needed an escape and only Jesus could be what he needed. 

By calling on His name, the earthly criminal was set free from eternal death and completely forgiven. He didn’t hop off the cross and find his own way out; no, Jesus was his only hope. And Jesus is our only hope. 

Friend, we once were all criminals, guilty of small things and large, and they all deserved death under the Old Covenant. But our escape is the same as the criminal who hung next to Jesus on the cross. Your way out, your rescue, is simply calling on His name. Jesus will be with you. He will rescue you. And He will be your escape from every form of darkness.

Scriptures: Psalms 18:2, Matthew 16:18, 1 Corinthians 3:11, Matthew 7:24-27, Psalms 40:2

How will I rebuild my life?

If you know by now that Jesus is with you in every moment, that you’re righteous in Him, and that He is your escape – also believe that with Jesus, your life can be totally restored. 

Many times, Jesus is referred to as our “rock” in the Bible. Verses like Psalm 18:2, “The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust,” give us the picture of God being our firm foun­dation, but what makes this foundation strong enough for the church? Or, what makes this foundation strong enough to build our lives on? 

You may have heard that the name Peter means “rock.” 

This foundation, this “rock” that Jesus told us to build the church on was Himself. So when we say, “Jesus is our rock and our firm foundation,” He actually IS our rock and firm foundation. This Rock is stronger than even the wages of death. 

If the keys of the kingdom have been given to you (Matthew 16:19), then it is time you unlock the Kingdom in your world. It is time to unlock the Kingdom of the Rock: a foundation of freedom, life, grace, and love. The kingdom is a firm foundation. 

Just before Jesus changed Peter’s name from Simon to Peter, Jesus had asked His disciples a question. He asked, “Who do you say that I am?” And Peter responded, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” I love Peter’s response here, because it put Jesus in His rightful place, acknowledg­ing the power and authority of who He is. 

Friend, instead of dwelling on death, shortcomings, or personal failures, put Jesus in His rightful place in your life; acknowl­edge His power and authority.

Scriptures: Ruth 2:16, Ephesians 1:7, Psalms 111:9

Will the harm of my past ever be redeemed?

Beloved, no matter who you are or where you’ve been, nothing is too big for your Redeemer. He came to save that which was lost and in need, and that means you and me. Did you know that not only do you have a Redeemer, but you have a Kinsman Redeemer? Maybe you’ve never heard of a kinsman redeemer before, but today we’re going to discover what this means by looking at the story of Ruth. 

Although many people focus on the deter­mination of Ruth in this story, look instead at Boaz. Put yourself in the shoes of Ruth and see your Jesus in the heart of Boaz. Boaz was Ruth’s kinsman redeemer. Ruth didn’t do anything to earn Boaz; by blood, he was her kinsman. A “kinsman redeemer” is a relative who is rich and is in the position to redeem you out of your debt or your widowhood, or to avenge your debt. This is who Boaz was to Ruth, and this is who your Kinsman Redeemer Jesus is to you. 

Jesus is your Kinsman Redeemer. Just like Boaz had to be related by blood to Ruth to redeem her, Jesus became a man, so that He could be blood-connected to you to redeem you. Jesus wanted to be your Kinsman Redeemer. He wanted to pay your debt. He wanted and still longs to redeem you from loneli­ness, depression, shame, condemnation resulting from your past. He wants to defend, provide, heal, and deliver you. 

In the story of Ruth, we see that Ruth gathered wheat in the fields that belonged to Boaz. When Boaz saw this, he then told his workers to purposefully drop grain for her and not rebuke her. Boaz was providing for Ruth and defending her even before she needed defending. 

Just as Boaz told the workers to purposefully spill grain for Ruth to pick up, Jesus purposefully spilled His blood for you. In His blood is full redemption. 

Friend, according to the riches of His grace, you have been redeemed. May you receive this redemption today through His blood, and rest in your Kinsman Redeemer.