"Spring Up, O Well"

"The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul." (Psalms 121:7)

  I hope that we understand what kind of life this is talking about; because if we think that it is all about this life, blessed daily living in this world, things are not going to feel all that well in our lives, from time to time. The abundant life that the Lord has promised us, is a life that is outside of this domain; yet, it is also a life that influences and protects us throughout living here, regardless of the chances of suffering and pain. People buy life insurance to take the pressure off worrying about what might happen to their loved ones if they were to die unexpectedly. This is Life Assurance, which too, is the kind if policy that takes the pressure off worrying about what might happen to our soul when we die, which is something that should be expected to happen, unless the Lord comes back before it does! Again, I will go back to Ray Comfort's illustration of what salvation should look like, in his book, "Hell's Best Keep Secret." The guy that is told that the plane is going down, will wear that parachute no matter how uncomfortable it might be, and no matter how many people might laugh at him; he does so because he knows that it will save his life! The other guy, who is told how much peace and comfort he will feel wearing the parachute, but not told of the danger ahead, will begin to feel uncomfortable; and as far as peace goes, it will never be experienced while people are laughing and mocking him for wearing it. Paul is a good example to us of how this might look in real life, as he was shown a glimpse of all the suffering he would encounter declaring the name of Jesus, to the Jew first and then to the Gentiles. (Acts 9:15-16) He had spent most of his life trying to obtain eternal life, only to discover the truth, that eternal life is only available in Christ. Imagine the guilt he felt in his heart for all those that he had taught; let alone the guilt he had for trying to destroy what Christ had done. Whether you know it, or even believe it, Paul's last letter written before he was beheaded was 2 Timothy. While writing his last letter, he knew full well that he was going to be beheaded, any day, it was bound to happen. But he had his Parachute on, and even though the plane was going down, he was abundantly living...

"The first time I was brought before the judge, no one came with me. Everyone abandoned me. May it not be counted against them. But the Lord stood with me and gave me strength so that I might preach the Good News in its entirety for all the Gentiles to hear. And he rescued me from certain death. Yes, and the Lord will deliver me from every evil attack and will bring me safely into his heavenly Kingdom. All glory to God forever and ever! Amen." (2 Timothy 4:16-18)