Pastor Rick Lipira: Morning Devotion 08/17/22
Wednesday, August 17, 2022
Can I Interest You in a Trade?
Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. (James 1:12 ESV)
I hope this verse convinces you to remain faithful in the midst of the storm. It is a promise to us that if you remain faithful you are going to trade it all in for a crown. It reminds me of an old-time hymn titled, “The Old Rugged Cross”. Let’s look at the lyrics:
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Verses |
Chorus |
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On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross, |
So, I’ll cherish the old rugged cross, |
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Oh, that old rugged cross, so despised by the world, |
So, I’ll cherish the old rugged cross, |
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In that old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine, A wondrous beauty I see, |
So, I’ll cherish the old rugged cross, |
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To the old rugged cross I will ever be true; |
So, I’ll cherish the old rugged cross, |
This hymn was written in 1913 by George Bennard, who does a fantastic job describing this emblem of pain, suffering, and cruelty that we know as “the cross.” That cross my friend, can also be known to a lesser degree as a trial. He tells us it is “an emblem of suffering and shame”, where Jesus, “for a world of lost sinners was slain”. Why, would Jesus do this? “To pardon and sanctify me”. I like where he tells us, “I will cling to the old rugged cross”.
What is it in life you are clinging to? It better be the Lord Jesus and what he did for you on that old rugged cross. The more frightened you get; I suggest you cling to the Lord Jesus even tighter. He paid for your sins, He pardoned and forgave you, He redeemed you, He made us holy and sanctified us. You grasp all of that and you will want to hang on to Him even tighter with all you have.
If you are fortunate enough to be treated like Jesus, that means mocked, tortured, abandoned by His closest friends, suffering emotional and physical damage, I say congratulations, because you are going to be able to trade all that in for a crown that will never pass away. Not just any crown, a prize, a trophy, a reward. “For He will call me someday to that home far away, where His glory forever I’ll share”. From an old rugged cross to an everlasting crown.
Pastor Rick Lipira
