SHREDDING DAY

SHREDDING DAY

 

The prompting for writing this article came from a devotional thought in ODB for Dec 22, 2009. It was entitled "Good Riddance", and described an event that happened in NYC on Dec 28, 2008. People were encouraged to bring a record of things that happened to them that year that they would like to get rid of. A large industrial paper shredder was set up in Times Square that would take care of any records that people brought forward!

 

The author of this devotional used the scripture (2 Cor 12:7-10) where Paul asked God three times to deliver him from the "thorn in his flesh", but God didn't take away the pain of this affliction, but instead told him "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness". In other words He gave Paul the strength to live with the affliction that was given to keep him from becoming proud because of his many heavenly revelations. I wonder if that might possibly be the reason our prayers are not always answered in the way we desire. But wouldn't it be great if we could somehow just have all our past records that represent failures or painful experiences in our past, put into some giant shredder, and done away with? In a sense, that is exactly what happened on the cross, when Jesus gave His life as the only possible payment for the sins of all humanity. He was the perfect, sinless, Son of God, the only one worthy to do this! That is the true gospel of the Kingdom of God, which we should be proclaiming to the world's citizens who are still in their spiritual darkness.

 

God has promised to remove our sins from us, and remember them no more. That is far better than just having them placed in some giant shredder! Check out (Psalms 103:1-12) to see the extent of this promise. He makes this available to everyone because of His great Agape love to all who believe. (John 3:16-21) But because He has created us with a free will, He must restrain this powerful love from us until we come to Him in faith and ask for it. That is why the whole world is not redeemed, not because God lacks power, but simply because people "loved the darkness more than the light, because their actions were evil"(John 3:19). Thank God He has sent His Holy Spirit into the world to convict us of our sinful condition, and show us our need to repent and receive Jesus to become part of His Forever Family! (2 Cor 5:17) Have you done that yet? If not, why not?

Sincerely submitted.

Dave Jamer