Love Coupons from the Lord
by Shawn McEvoy
Then you will not become spiritually dull and indifferent. Instead, you will follow the example of those who are going to inherit God’s promises because of their faith and endurance.
Hebrews 6:12, NLT
Rummaging through our junk drawer once upon a time, I came across a gift from my wife that has brought me nothing but trouble.
Hold it right there. You keep presents from your wife in the junk drawer?
I’m happy to explain. Everything else I’ve ever received from Valerie is a treasure, a blessing. But in this case…
I’m speaking here of a booklet of "love coupons" placed in my stocking one Christmas. You’ve surely received something similar at one point in your life – a bundle of certificates entitling the bearer, at his or her behest, to a smattering of various benefits such as back rubs, dates, baked goods, relaxation, respite from chores, or other goodies. Whoever invented these well-intended documents of doom wasn't a master of foresight.
The problem doesn't lie in the sentiment, it's in the redemption. Flipping fondly through the long lost book, I plucked out a coupon for a 30-minute massage and excitedly approached the one from whom the much-appreciated thought originated.
“Hey, look what I found. Do you think I could redeem this tonight?”
Body language is an amazing thing. Val said nothing, but her facial expression told me I might as well have been expired yogurt. Her lips didn't move, but I very clearly heard her brain say:
“Are you kidding me? I’m overwhelmed and on my feet all day chasing down rambunctious children, and you have the audacity to bring me a coupon? If there’s anybody who should be receiving a massage tonight, mister, it’s me! In fact, if you really loved me, you'd know when I was too busy or moody or tired!”
And there it is. Something that had been designed to show her love to me had turned into something that demonstrated my perceived lack of love for her. Um, how did that happen? Stupid coupons. Back into the junk drawer until you're more convenient to my wife – once the kids are out of the house.
So, in need of unconditional promises I could count on, I pulled out the old concordance seeking out scriptures about which I could pray: "Look what I found. Do you think I could redeem this tonight?"
See, Valerie is human; I'm unwise. Our Father is neither. He loves us more than we can fathom and He's put together quite a package of unbreakable promises that have no flaw in the redemption. We just have to faithfully submit them.
Holding fast to promise in difficult times was a major theme for New Testament authors. Here are just a few examples of the encouragement they offer through telling us what's available to the believer through Christ:
- 1 - Power, Holiness, Escape from Temptation and Worldliness
“And by that same mighty power, He has given us all of His rich and wonderful promises. He has promised that you will escape the decadence all around you caused by evil desires and that you will share in His divine nature” (2 Peter 1:4).
Pluck this out and turn it in when… you feel bogged down by all the sin and negativity in the world, when you need to feel that your destiny is something more than this crude earthly matter, but a partaker of the divine.
- 2 - The Holy Spirit, Complete with Gifts, Fruit, and Power
“And now I will send the Holy Spirit, just as My Father promised. But stay here in the city until the Holy Spirit comes and fills you with power from heaven” (Luke 24:49).
Pluck this out and turn it in when… you need to remember that Jesus did not leave you here alone; He sent His messenger to fill you with everything you need to know Him and make Him known.
- 3 - Fellowship, Joy, Eternal Life
“You must remain faithful to what you have been taught from the beginning. If you do, you will continue to live in fellowship with the Son and with the Father. And in this fellowship we enjoy the eternal life He promised us” (1 John 2:24-25).
Pluck this out and turn it in when… you need to return to the first principles of the faith, being reminded of the benefits of walking with God.
- 4 - Salvation, Belonging, Riches & Blessings, Being Children of God
“And this is the secret plan: The Gentiles have an equal share with the Jews in all the riches inherited by God's children. Both groups have believed the Good News, and both are part of the same body and enjoy together the promise of blessings through Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 3:6).
Pluck this out and turn it in when… you are overtaken by selfishness or self-centeredness, and need to focus on who you are as part of the Church and an all-inheriting child of God.
- 5 - Truth, Confidence, Assurance, Life
“Truth gives them the confidence of eternal life, which God promised them before the world began – and He cannot lie” (Titus 1:2).
Pluck this out and turn it in when… you feel let down by those around you, lost in the temporal rather than the eternal, or in need of knowing that God can’t go back on His Word.
- 6 - Membership in the Family, Persecuted but Free
“And you, dear brothers and sisters, are children of the promise, just like Isaac. And we who are born of the Holy Spirit are persecuted by those who want us to keep the law, just as Isaac, the child of promise, was persecuted by Ishmael, the son of the slave-wife” (Galatians 4:28-29).
Pluck this out and turn it in when… you are downtrodden by right-and-wrong, do-and-don't. You are born again free in the family of the Most High.
- 7 - Trials, Patience, Endurance, the Crown of Life
“God blesses the people who patiently endure testing. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him” (James 1:12).
Pluck this out and turn it in when… you wonder at God’s wisdom and will, when tough times come your way, and when you feel you don't have the strength to go on. Testing is guaranteed, so don't despise it or your own discipline – how else would you be able to exercise your faith?
And the best promise of all while we're on this earth may just be new joy, new mercy every morning. Each day another chance. When days get rough and we could use "a backrub from above," all we have to do is open up the Bible and say, "Look what I found, Lord. It's been a tough day. Do you think I could redeem this one tonight?"
Since the Lord is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow, the answer is always yes. Until one day we experience His ultimate promise of a new heaven and a new earth and there will be no need of coupons.
Intersecting Faith & Life: Redeem one of the above coupon/promises today!
Further Reading
What Does God Promise You?
Check out fantastic resources on Faith, Family, and Fun at Crosswalk.com!
Related Resource: How Habit Stacking Will Help You Discipline Your Mind, Body, & Spirit
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