On the Anvil - Max Lucado [17]
What is this “ax of death”? What does it mean for us today?
Does death still have a sting for us—for you? How?
How does the Cross dissolve the power of death?
31: Valentine’s Day, 1965
My decision had been made sometime during the week. I didn’t tell a soul. (For a ten-year-old, I kept a good secret.) I think I reached my decision on a Monday . . . or maybe Tuesday. Nonetheless, after the decision was made, Sunday took forever to arrive.
But Sunday finally came. The Sunday. My Sunday.
Mom didn’t have to wake me that day. I was up before her. It just so happened that it was Valentine’s Day. I hardly noticed. I remember polishing my “church shoes” until I could see my face in the reflection. An extra palmful of Vitalis was needed on my short red hair to keep my rooster tail from popping up. My daddy tied my tie for me. I washed my face so hard my freckles almost came off.
I was nervous during Sunday school, glad when it was over. Butterflies were swarming in my stomach. The assembly, however, seemed to settle my nervous energy. I sang louder than ever and hung on every word of the sermon. The butterflies stopped. I don’t remember questioning the decision. It seemed so obvious, so right.
The invitation song had hardly begun when I made my move. The five or six steps I had to make, I made fast. So fast that no one saw me go forward except those near the front.
I told our preacher I wanted to be baptized into Jesus. With an innocent faith that children so easily have, I asked God to take over. Did I understand all the implications of my conversion? No. All I knew was that Jesus’ love awaited those who would respond to it, so I did. Ever since that day the Creator of the world—the almighty God—has watched over me like a daddy over a baby, loving me as I have never deserved and sticking with me when others left.
It was the most beautiful day of my life. What a wonderful Valentine’s Day!
What is your “Valentine’s” story with God? Is it a story that you cherish?
How have you asked God to take over your life? Take some time to reflect on your decision and how your life has changed since then.
32: Open Manholes and Sudden Sin
It happens in an instant. One minute you are walking and whistling, the next you are wide-eyed and falling. Satan yanks back the manhole cover, and an innocent afternoon stroll becomes a horror story. Helplessly you tumble, aware of the fall but unable to gain control. You crash at the bottom and stare blankly into the darkness. You inhale the evil stench and sit in Satan’s sewage until he spits you out and you land, dumbfounded and shell-shocked, on the sidewalk.
Such is the pattern of sudden sin. Can you relate to it? Very few sins are premeditated and planned. Very few of us would qualify for Satan’s strategy team. We spend our time avoiding sin, not planning it. But don’t think for one minute that, just because you don’t want to fall, you won’t. Satan has a special trick for you, and he only pulls it out when you aren’t looking.
This yellow-bellied father of lies doesn’t dare meet you face-to-face. No sir. Don’t expect this demon of demons to challenge you to a duel. Not this snake. He hasn’t the integrity to tell you to turn around and put up your dukes. He fights dirty.
He is the master of the trapdoor and the author of weak moments. He waits until your back is turned. He waits until your defense is down. He waits until the bell has rung and you are walking back to your corner. Then he aims his dart at your weakest point and . . .
Bull’s-eye! You lose your temper. You lust. You fall. You take a drag. You buy a drink. You kiss the woman. You follow the crowd. You rationalize. You say yes. You sign your name. You forget who you are. You walk into her room. You look in the window. You break your promise. You buy the magazine. You lie. You covet. You stomp your feet and demand your way.
You deny your Master.
It’s David disrobing Bathsheba. It’s Adam accepting