Music. . . and the Gospel

I love music. LOVE LOVE LOVE etc. music. I play violin and piano, and I also enjoy listening to music, especially worship songs. I think God uses my love of music to speak to me. One song in particular by the Annie Moses Band called "Tough as Nails" is really amazing. Please watch the video below to hear the song. Both their songwriting and musical talent are amazing.

Did you listen to it? Good. Did you hear the line "But he did not fight when the hammer fell; his love was tough as nails . . ."? (amazing line, by the way!) That line got me to thinking. Jesus didn't fight when he was being nailed to the cross. He could have just spoken, and legions of angels would have come to his aid! But he didn't. He let them kill him, because in his death millions would be restored to life.

And, in turn, this got me to thinking about something else. Whenever I go through a difficult time, I know I can always count on God to see me through it. He never forsakes me. (The only reason that is true is because of the Gospel . . .it all connects in the end, you see!) But when Jesus was on the cross, he didn't receive help from God. He cried out to his Father, saying "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" But God had turned his back on him.

Jesus was utterly alone. For the first time ever, he didn't have God right there with him.

Imagine what you would feel like if you were forsaken by God. But very quickly after imagining it remember that God promised never to leave you or forsake you! OK, good.

Jesus had a closer relationship with God than any of us have. And he was forsaken by God!

But there's some excellent news coming up. Because he was forsaken by God that night when he hung on the cross, we will never be forsaken. Ever. In my life. (get that... you know, from Up? :) Never mind.)

I do believe this marvelous news calls for a celebration. An outburst of thanksgiving. Aren't you so thankful that Jesus has saved you?!?!? (If you happen to be reading this and you don't think you're saved, I would encourage you to ask God to help you believe all of the above. The Christian life is a wonderful life.)

I hope you are encouraged by this!

Sarah :)