2011-05-12 - Lost Glory

1 Cor 6:19-20 Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; ²⁰ you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies. (NIV)

A horse was found wandering in a Tucson, Arizona suburb. He limped up to the people who had seen him and stared at them as if asking for food. The poor creature was seriously emaciated. His had scares because his bones rubbed his skin into the rough ground as he slept. The authorities were called who in turn called a horse rescue organization. If they could not take him or were unable to help him he would have been euthanized. The organization sent someone out to take a look at the animal. He was clearly dehydrated, starving and had several other medical issues all normally treatable for a healthy horse. He could barely walk because abscesses in his front hooves. The rescue organization sent out transportation to bring him back to their facility to see what could be done.

The horse responded well to some food and water. The simplest things were treated and the doctors have laid out a plan to bring the creature back to a healthier state. Over a period of five months as his ills were being treated and he gained weight he walked without the limp and has continued to make progress. Today he is a beautiful much more healthy horse again. He has some distance to go but his spirit has been restored and he wants to live. He had been redeemed from wandering in the desert and near death.

He had one other interesting feature. He had a number tattooed on the inside of his lip. For those of you who know horse racing you now know this horse is a thoroughbred race horse by birth. When the number was looked up they found out his name was Dyna King. He was the son of Dynaformer. Dynaformer had won a number of stakes races and sired a significant number of very successful horses including Barabaro who won the Kentucky Derby in 2006. Dyna King had raced in stakes races in 2000. He was a member of the horse racing elite. He had fallen from that glory and had been abandoned.

Spiritually we were destitute. We were dead (Col 2:12-14). Not unlike Dyna King we were unable to do anything at all to improve our condition. Without help he would have died in a very short time. Without Christ's sacrifice and new life we would never know the assurance of His promises - to adopt us as His children, to never leave us forsake us, to have a home for us in heaven. In an even more meaningful way we were redeemed not unlike Dyna King. Young or old, rich or poor - no matter who you are, where you are or what you have done Jesus Christ makes the same promise to you. Ask Him to forgive you and tell him you want to follow Him. He has also promised never to turn anyone who sincerely asks.

Heb 13:5b “Never will I leave you;  never will I forsake you.” (NIV)

You have God's word on it. Eternity with God in a home in Heaven for eternity. Forgiveness in exchange for a sincere heart turning away from sin. A glory that can never be lost or taken away. When we understand from what depth we have been purchased, our hearts should know very little other than humility and gratitude.

Grace & Peace,
Mike

jmhoskins@gmail.com
http://www.cfdevotionals.org