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August 9, 2011
It Just Takes One |
"But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God's grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many!" Romans 5:15 (NIV)
"I just wanted to tell you," she said. "It just takes one." She knew we had our house up for sale and wanted to offer me a word of encouragement. She had also recently been through having her house on the market and knew what I was facing.
As she grabbed my hands in her own, she looked at me earnestly and said. "It just takes one person to come along and love your house and want to buy it. Hang onto that when you get overwhelmed. God will send that one."
I have thought about what she said to me, and how this Truth applies in many aspects of my life. God will send that one. The one person who can best encourage me. The one person who will provide the answers I am seeking. The one nugget of Truth my soul is craving. The one bit of hope when everything seems desperate around me.
What is that "one" thing you are waiting for God to send you right now? Maybe it is that one test result you are waiting for. Maybe it is that one check you need desperately to show up in the mail so you can make it to payday. Maybe it is that one affirmation you need to hear, but rarely do.
Do you believe that God will send that one? Do you walk in that belief, even when circumstances around you say otherwise? Do you focus on what is happening, or God's promises?
God's most wonderful promise came through the One who could be tempted yet sinless, Lion yet lamb, human yet God. God's plan for redemption came through His one and only Son.
It just took one—one sacrifice, one resurrection, one hope for eternity. Humanity cried out for restoration and God responded by sending that One.
"It just takes one," the woman told me. And that is true, even in this broken, fallen world. So many times that "one" seems far away, so insurmountable, that we despair of ever seeing it come to pass.
Make today the day that you live believing in that one thing happening—whether it is a sold sign in your yard or healing in a relationship; turn to the Creator of all things with whatever is on your heart. Spend today reflecting on that one sacrifice He made on your behalf, because of His unfailing love for you. Trust Him to do what is best for you—whatever His answer may be—and live in expectation of the abundant life He has promised.
Dear Lord, help me to trust in You to send the answers I need. Help me to take my eyes off my circumstances and focus solely on You. Thank You for the sacrifice of Your precious Son so that I could have salvation. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Him?
She Makes It Look Easy by Marybeth Whalen.
For more encouragement from Marybeth and to view all of her resources click here.
Jesus Lives: Seeing His Love in Your Life, by Sarah Young
Application Steps:
In your journal, write a letter to God telling Him about that one thing your heart is crying out for. Offer the letter up to Him with a prayer of sacrifice and humble surrender. Reaffirm your trust in Him.
Reflections:
What is God teaching you through your time of waiting? How can you best use this time? In what ways is it making you stronger spiritually and in your relationship with Him?
Power Verses:
Acts 15:11, "No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are." (NIV)
Romans 5:12, "Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned." (NIV)
Romans 5:10, "For if, while we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to Him through the death of His Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!" (NIV)
© 2011 by Marybeth Whalen. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
Originally published Tuesday, 09 August 2011.
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