THE FIRING LINE

“Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.”

Revelation 2:10 KJV

Bessie F. Hatcher wrote “Keep on the Firing Line”.  It is one of my favorite hymns.  The words in this hymn are true.  God will only use us if He can trust us.  Can God trust us to stay loyal to Him even when satan attacks with lies and tries his best to discourage us? 

“God will only use the soldiers He can trust, To keep on the firing line; If you’d wear a crown then bear a cross you must, And keep on the firing line; Life is ours to labor for the Master here, Help to banish evil and to spread good cheer; Great reward He gives you for the service here, So keep on the firing line.”

If ever someone had a right to give up, it was Jesus.  Our precious Saviour never did anything wrong.  All He did was spread unconditional love and compassion and He is still doing it today.  What brings tears to my eyes is that even while hanging on the cross, He asked His Father to forgive us.

What kind of love is this?  It is a compassionate and forgiving unconditional love.  I have said this many times and I will keep saying it until God calls me home.  Nobody loves you like Jesus loves you and nobody ever will.  Why do I keep saying it?  I say it so you will allow it to go from your head to your heart.

We know Jesus loves us but does He know we love Him?  What are we doing to prove to Him we love Him?  Is He first in our heart and in our life?  Jesus deserves to have the first place.

Joanne Lowe

February 10, 2019