Quieting a Room

Our salvation is not based on our own good works. It is fully founded upon the person of Jesus Christ, so reliable, unchanging, and true that we can be sure that our salvation is fixed.

Quieting a Room

This week's devotions are written by my friend Jessica Hermann, former director of our college ministry at Great Hills Baptist Church.

- Pastor Danny

As you know, this week I'm sharing stories from "Elizabeth", my dear friend from college who is being used mightily by the Lord in North Africa. Today's story struck me when I read of my friend's boldness. I am so proud of her and the woman of God that she is. I remember when she was a freshman coming to the same church I was at while in college, and now she is in a foreign country, sharing the good news daily with people in a largely unreached area. Here is today's story from Elizabeth:

Maybe some of you remember my stories about my Souk Auntie. My roomie and I went to visit her because her daughter had a baby. We arrived at their home to find a table full of food, tea, and sweets. But first, we had to hold the precious new baby boy! We had only planned to stay for a little while, and right when we were about to change the subject to the good news, we heard a loud commotion in the stairwell. Four women and all of their children poured into the room. Apparently it was quite special that we had arrived because, without our knowledge, they had called their whole family to drive 30 minutes to come see us! After giggles, tight hugs, and cheek kisses, we quieted the room. We asked a question that helped us get to the heart of the matter: "How would you feel if you knew that all of your sins had been forgiven?" We repeated the question a second time. One responded, "I would feel so at rest." We looked over to see another woman with tears streaming down her cheeks. Even just the mention of this type of relief targeted the deep fear that she, and everyone in this city, lives with daily. Every action is done in hopes of earning a spot in eternity, with no certainty of if their g0d will forgive them in the end. "We have this rest you say you want because all of our sins have been forgiven. Do you want to know how?" we asked them. "Yes, tell us!" they responded.

A simple visit to meet our friend's new grandchild turned into the Father filling up a room of women who had never heard before of His deep love for them. They don't even have context for the words we are saying, it is such foolishness to them. One woman stood up, donned her modest clothing, and began displaying the motions on the ground of how we are supposed to do our prayers. But, we know he was working in that room. They heard his name and his story for the very first time. We know he wants to give them this rest that their hearts so desire.

What faith it takes to quiet a room full of women to ask them such a bold question! In general, Muslims live with great fear and uncertainty, because in their belief system, their salvation and acceptance by their god on the day they face judgment is not certain. They live with the burden of trying to do enough but never really knowing if they have indeed done enough to earn paradise. The idea that they could know that they have been forgiven with certainty made these ladies so emotional because it is a burden and deep fear they live with every day. 1 John 5:13 says, "I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life."

Our salvation is not based on our own good works. It is fully founded upon the person of Jesus Christ, so reliable, unchanging, and true that we can be sure that our salvation is fixed. We can know. This is a reason to praise God today.

Thank you, Lord, that you don't leave us guessing. You give us certainty through your Son. Thank you for the peace this gives us.