A Standing O
This devotional was written by Jim Burns
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written, “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. —Romans 8:35-37
It had been one of those crummy days. I walked off the platform of a high school auditorium, feeling depressed and dejected. I did not connect with the kids. In fact, what I thought would work at the assembly fell flat. I mumbled an apology to the principal and walked to my car, feeling broken and downcast. The entire day, I let this bomb of an assembly get to me.
That night my sleep was interrupted by a dream (I believe God gave me this dream). I found myself in the same auditorium as I had been in earlier in the day. It was empty except for one person sitting in the front row—Jesus. As I walked to the platform, Jesus rose to his feet and gave me a standing ovation! He cheered, whistled and applauded with enthusiasm before I even spoke.
When I awoke I remember smiling so big that my face hurt. God loves me, not for what I do, but for who I am—His child. Did you catch that? God loves you, too—not for what you do but for who you are—His child.
Did you know Jesus gives you a standing ovation? He loved you enough to die for you. I have this feeling that if He carries a wallet in heaven, your picture and mine are in that wallet. Isn’t it nice to be loved?
GOING DEEPER:
1. When was there a time in your life when you could have used a standing ovation from God?
2. How do you feel when you read Romans 8:35-37?
FURTHER READING: Psalm 23
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