Devotional Guide—April 17

Wednesday, April 17, 2019

Praise:  Our Response to
God’s Generosity and Grace

“But God showed us his love for us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8

Years ago a prominent man in Bowling Green – I’ll call him “Joe” – called us one night and asked that we come to his house. Joe was an educator and a good fisherman – some said the best in the county – who taught people how and where to fish.

We found our friend in deep distress. His life was a mess and he was threatening something terrible. He had tried to straighten things out, but he just could not. We must have talked for two hours when Wallace said, “Have you been fishing lately.” I looked in shock at my husband. This was certainly no time for a fishing story! Joe immediately began to tell of some extraordinary catches, and Wallace finally interrupted to ask what seemed foolish, “What kind of shape were the fish in? Gutted, cleaned, and ready to eat?”

Joe looked at Wallace in disbelief and explained that he had to clean them. Wallace then said, “Isn’t that what’s wrong here? First God wants to catch you; then he’ll clean you up.” I was stunned! My husband had taken what this man knew best and hit the nail on the head with it. Joe was trying to clean up his own life before he allowed God to land his catch!

Today’s wonderful Scripture makes a fantastic promise to us that in our dirty state, scales and all, God loves us and died for us. Amazing!

Prayer: Father, never can we deserve your love. Thank you. Amen.

“I am the resurrection and the life.” John 11:25
Lenten Devotional Guide
prepared for Homosassa United Methodist Church, Spring 2009
by Patience Nave, Christian Education Director