I Was There

Devotional for Saturday, August 14, 1999 by Michael Steckel

In the mid-1980's I enjoyed the group U2. I enjoyed their music and some of their lyrics. One song that I enjoyed a great deal was called "When Love Comes To Town". I liked this song because the group did it with B.B. King. Now I look at the lyrics of that song and I see a verse there that has a powerful meaning for me now, which it did not have at the time the song came out, because I was not living my life for Christ at the time. The verse is as follows:

I was there when they crucified my Lord
I held the scabbard when the soldier drew his sword
I threw the dice when they pierced his side
But I've seen love conquer the great divide.

I may not have been there physically when they crucified my Lord, but he died for my sin. I have fallen short and I have sinned. I have denied Christ through my life -- by my words and my actions. I was just as guilty as the men at the cross were, but through the cross, God demonstrated his great love for us. As we read in John 3:16, God loved us so much he gave his Son so that we may have life. So on the cross God conquered sin. Because of his love and work there, I can now have an eternal relationship with him. Even though I held the scabbard and threw the dice, he was willing to forgive me.

Prayer: Our God and our Father, I have sinned before you through my actions and words, but because of your great love for us you gave your only Son to die for my sins. You have done this so I may live with you. I have only gratitude in my heart for what you have done, and I pray that I may never forget. Amen.

Michael Steckel <steckel@uspacenet.com>
Fairbanks, Alaska, USA

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