There is a good reason labs are called retrievers. They just cannot resist chasing sticks. The excitement mounts when their masters pick up anything that can be thrown. They bounce up and down with eager anticipation. It is even better if the stick is thrown into a lake. There is such joy in leaping belly first into the water to power one’s way to the floating object. Grasping it firmly, the retriever swims head high to bring it back to the master’s feet.
In Jude 1:24 we read, “Now unto Him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,….” It emphasizes Jesus’ great joy in bringing us to the Father. He could not be more proud than when He is able to bring you before the throne and proclaim you to be redeemed. There is no doubt about it; Jesus is the Great Retriever. He has rescued us from ourselves. He jumped into this cesspool of sin and brought us to safety.
Written by Roger Bothwell on October 10, 2000
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