A few weeks ago I did something incredibly absent minded. I stole. I was a thief. Granted a very honest one, still a thief for a short time. I self checked out a cart full of groceries. I scanned them all, bagged them, placed them in my cart and then left. It wasn’t until I was on my way home that I realized what I had done. My penance for the thievery was that I had to load all the groceries (minus the pizza in the oven, but I took the empty box) back up, drive back to the store, re scan and then pay. Now although I did steal and I was a thief it was completely unintentional and the situation was remedied with no jail time or reprimands.
In my prayers today I was bringing before the Lord two situations where there was a thief involved. The scripture says that the thief comes to steal, kill and destroy. In these situations he has been successful. As I began to become disheartened about those very real situations the rest of the verse stood out to me.
““The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”
John 10:10 ESV
Although we have a very real adversary, we in turn have a God who already gave his life so that we may have it more abundantly. As this season of thanks and giving approaches it often highlights areas in our lives. For some it is a reminder of all of our blessings, friends, family and comforts that God has richly blessed us with. However to others it highlights very different aspects of life. Highlighting areas of struggle, regret and disappointment. And although everyone has these moments in their lives the thief can use these tough times as a foot hold into our lives.
Today, let these words remind you that He has come to give life and life more abundantly. There is a blessed hope!! Whatever situation you are facing, no matter how grim or unsurmountable He has a way out. He is the way out. The thief can’t steal what we don’t allow him to grab.
“”Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Matthew 6:19-21 ESV
Dig into His Word. Claim the promises that no thief can steal. Let this season be a season of fulfilled promises and joy for you and spread them to those around you.
That Could Preach 