It was the night before the crucifixion of Christ. Jesus had gathered his disciples in an upper room to prepare them for his departure from the earth. After they shared a meal together, the Lord took a towel and proceeded to wash the men’s feet.

That evening, Jesus told these devoted followers he was going to be “lifted up” (meaning crucified) by the hands of wicked men. When he told them this, he was forewarning them about what was to come.

COVER LETTER

“IF I ONLY HAD WINGS.”

David cried, “Oh that I had wings like a dove! For then would I fly away, and be at rest” (Psalm 55:6). He added, “Then would I wander far off, and remain in the wilderness” (verse 7).

“This cometh to pass, that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause” (John 15:25, my italics).

Jesus said he came to seek out and save the lost. This was the same man who had power to subdue the very winds and waves. At any time Christ could have sent fire down from heaven to destroy the wicked. Yet instead Jesus came as a humble servant.

COVER LETTER

Dearly Beloved:

GOD HAS THE POWER, WISDOM, WILLINGNESS AND LOVE TO PRESERVE HIS BELOVED PEOPLE.

If we are being asked to trust our lives to someone, we have to know that this someone has the power to keep us from all danger, threats and violence. Otherwise, our trust is in vain. Simply put, our God has to have the wisdom and power to guide us and countless multitudes through various crises and difficulties. And he must accomplish this guidance of his people in love.

I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day” (2 Timothy 1:12, my italics).

Here are the words of a dying man. The apostle Paul was addressing his pupil, the young minister-in-training, Timothy. Later in the same letter, Paul confides to Timothy these difficult words: “I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith” (4:6-7).

COVER LETTER

Dearly Beloved:

A WORD OF CAUTION TO ALL WHO SUFFER:

When you are suffering, don’t threaten. Here is an amazing truth connected with Christ’s suffering: “When he was reviled, he reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not” (1 Peter 2:23). What a tremendous statement: “When he suffered, he threatened not.” Jesus never once defended himself against those who mistreated him. He punished no one and never retaliated against any.

Jesus was ministering to a great multitude when the people began getting hungry. He took his disciple Philip aside and asked him an important question. “He saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat? And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do” (John 6:5–6).

COVER LETTER

Dearly Beloved:

DELAYED ANSWERS TO PRAYER — A word from my daily devotions.

Most of us pray as David did: “In the day when I call answer me speedily” (Psalm 102:2). “I am in trouble: hear me speedily” (Psalm 69:17). The Hebrew word for speedily suggests “right now, hurry up, in the very hour I call on you, do it.” David was saying, “Lord, I put my trust in you — but, please, hurry.”