Today a prominent United States senator switched parties causing amazed joy in some rooms and agonized despair in others. It’s always that way when somebody converts. Jesus describes it like this, “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them . . . goes after the one which is lost until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. . . . I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.” Luke 15
Jesus doesn’t mention it but it is safe to assume there is added misery in hell when they lose someone; after all, misery loves company. Surely they can’t stand it to see one of their own become happy and gain what they themselves once had but threw away in moments of stupidity.
So if you would like to stick it to Satan because of some horrible thing he has done to you, (He doesn’t treat his followers well.) then make Jesus the Lord of your life right now. It’s a chance to get even. Now isn’t that just the wrong reason to accept Jesus? Yeah, it is. How about accepting Jesus because it will make both you and Jesus happy! Now that’s the right focus.
Please do not carry this illustration too far. This devotional is not a political commentary about one party being good and another evil. It’s just that it was too good an experience to pass up when seeing the joy on one side and the despair on the other.
Written by Roger Bothwell on Apri 29, 2009
Spring of Life Ministry, PO Box 124, St. Helena, CA 94574