“God may perhaps grant them repentance, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.” [2 timothy 2:25b-26]
we all have people in our lives that we’re praying for. people who we love but are choosing to walk in the ways of the world. whether they were following Jesus at one time or not, they’re our brothers, our neighbors, our daughters, our friends. and, it’s heartbreaking to see them living in their sin and brokenness, in need of a savor, but unwilling to come to him. unwilling to see their brokenness and repent, repent and turn to Jesus.
my prayer is that this verse today is a reminder and an encouragement to you,
a reminder that Jesus sees you, Jesus cares, and your prayers aren’t falling on deaf ears. your God loves you, cares for you, and he is hearing the cries of your heart as you plead for that loved one to come to know the Savior.
an encouragement to keep pressing in to the presence of God, keep seeking him, and keep lifting that loved one up. there is hope, there is power, and there is overwhelming beauty in the gospel. no one is too far gone.
the truth of the matter is this, we all know people, we’re all friends with people who aren’t following Jesus right now. so, i encourage you to take time right now to pause, be still in the presence of God, lift those people up to your heavenly Father, and plead with God for their souls. ask that God would grant them repentance.
have faith and be encouraged in this truth of the Gospel, no one is too far gone, there is no place where grace can’t reach. Jesus has conquered sin and the enemy, and he has the power to redeem those who have wandered far away from his grace. Jesus’ victory is so powerful, so perfect, and so complete that even those who are in the “snare of the devil” aren’t outside his reach and his authority!
“he [Jesus] is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.” hebrews 7:25
~ josiah bridges