During the days of Queen Victoria there was a young lady who had to take...
Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
By Pastor Ken Klaus, Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour
"God Is There"
September 8, 2017
No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
~ 1 Corinthians 10:13 (ESV)
During the days of Queen Victoria there was a young lady who had to take a long journey on the newly constructed railroad, and she had to travel alone.
This young lady had learned enough geography to know her trip would cross any number of large rivers. Crossing those rivers was a matter of concern to the girl as she had no idea how such a passage could safely be made.
As she drew near the first river, she saw the bridge which took her over the river as if it had not been there. Soon there was another river and another bridge. It didn't take long before the girl leaned back and with a relieved sigh, said, "I don't have to worry, somebody has built bridges for me all the way!"
She had it figured out. Somebody had delivered her. That little girl had learned a valuable lesson.
All of us ought to echo her and say, "I don't have to worry, the Lord has built bridges for me that will take me over every dangerous place." We can say that; we can believe that, because it is true. God has built bridges, He has always built bridges so humanity might be delivered and ultimately reach our final destination.
Look to the Garden of Eden. Mankind's rebellion had created a gulf between heaven and hell; between the Creator and His created. Adam and Eve could not bridge that gulf, but the Lord did when He promised His Son as the Sacrifice which would buy our freedom.
When the world had become evil, God spoke to Noah and his boys. He had them build an ark which bridged the world which once was, and the new world which offered humanity a second chance.
When the Children of Israel were caught between the chariots of Pharaoh and the Red Sea, God opened that body of water and created a bridge of dry ground over which His people were delivered.
God builds bridges. Before we were ever born He knew our pains, our problems, our sins, our shortcomings, our demons, our diseases, our disobedience. He saw these things and in love He built bridges whereby people of faith, empowered by the Holy Spirit, could safely cross.
Again, and again He extends the invitation: "Call upon Me in the day of trouble and I will deliver you."
And again, "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you."
To these Jesus adds the invitation: "Come unto me all who labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest." It is a promise and an invitation for deliverance that He keeps.
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, grant that I may believe and trust You to be there to provide that which I need to be Your faithful follower. In Jesus' Name I ask it. Amen.
Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin! Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM).
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