Beautiful Feet
by Robin Tyler
As young girls walking from my grandparents house to the local store in our small town, my best friend and I were stopped by a traveling evangelist as he shared the good news of the gospel. He explained the consequences for anyone who did not accept Jesus as their Savior and Lord. I was reminded hell is real.
Attending a youth rally in my teen years the speaker shared his testimony of how his life had been changed at salvation, after a life of heavy rebellion. He shared how he accepted the invitation from Jesus, and asked Him to come into his heart. He shared about the road he had been on prior to being saved, and where his life had been headed. On this night of my salvation, I was reminded hell is real.
Satan would like to take as many as possible with him to his eternal destination. A ring inscribed with my name "Robin" and "Isaiah 53:5" ('He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities. The punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by his wounds we are healed'), carries a reminder our eternal peace comes at a cost. Not accepting sin has a cost, not believing the cost has been paid, and not accepting the atonement work Of Jesus paying the penalty Of our sin as being enough, I am reminded hell is real.
Listening on Youtube, a few titanic survivors told their stories of how they escaped death in that terrible tragedy. The realization some people climbed on the ship not knowing it would be their last ride anywhere was sobering. The sinking of the ship set the path of many on board to their eternal destination. On that night, some arrived at a destination no one wants to go. I was reminded hell is real.
In a Bible Study on Revelation, we came across Revelation 20:11-15 "Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. The earth and the heavens fled from his presence, and there was no place for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what they had done. Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire." To those who reject Jesus, I was reminded hell is real.
Being introduced to a sermon "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God", by Jonathon Edwards, delivered July 8, 1741 in Northampton, Massachusetts, I purchased a copy through Amazon. Within the sermon it was said, "The devil stands ready to fall upon them, and seize them as his own, at what moment God shall permit him. They belong to him; he has their souls in his possession, and under his dominion. The scripture represents them as his goods, Luke 1 1:21. The devils watch them; they are ever by them at their right hand; they stand waiting for them, like greedy hungry lions that see their prey, and expect to have it, but are for the present kept back. If God should withdraw his hand, by which they are restrained, they would in one moment fly upon their poor souls. The old serpent is gaping for them; hell opens its mouth wide to receive them; and if God should permit it, they would be hastily swallowed up and lost." Reading the sermon I was reminded hell is real.
As written in God's Word, 'The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.' (John 10:10 NIV), Daily we experience the havoc the thief causes in our life, and other's around us. Stirring up strife and trouble, tempting, creating chaos, lying, breaking up homes, causing opposition to God's Word, accusing, etc., satan uses many tactics to prevent and break fellowship with God. The verse in John 10:10 reminds me of an ever present battle going on all around us. I am reminded hell is real.
As sure as there is heaven, there is hell. God's mercy, grace and love is extended to anyone who believes. But, what if they have not heard? (Romans 10:14-15 NIV- How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!) The truth of the gospel comes to us in different ways.
In remembrance of the people who's path God ordained to cross mine and they were wiling to share the good news of the gospel, it's their beautiful feet I am thankful for!!
Prayer: Father, may our feet be ready to carry the gospel of peace to those you bring into our path. When our feet are tired, remind us hell is real.
