DEVOTIONAL Header2023

The Squeeze

February 27, 2024
02262024WEEKLYDEVO

The Squeeze

 

“For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:3, ESV).

 

Today I am sitting at a cancer update conference and just heard about a drug that can reduce the risk of breast cancer recurrence by about 6 percent at five years, but with significant symptoms of diarrhea for three years, a cost of more than $100,00 a year and no clear improvement in long-term survival. One doctor in the audience commented on the cost and toxicity. The presenter responded, “It is always our concern with cancer drugs whether the juice is worth the squeeze.”

 

Is the juice worth the squeeze?

 

This is a reasonable question to ask about following Christ, and Jesus encouraged His followers to do so.

 

“‘Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.’ Jesus replied, ‘Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head”’ (Matthew 8:19b-20), NIV).

 

Jesus was very clear about the squeeze required for His juice in our lives.

 

Most of us don’t count the cost because the cost seems light. Others feel the squeeze so painfully that they question the sanity of God (as in The Insanity of God by Nik Ripken).

 

God’s actual demands are extreme and require total surrender. If we are willing, He will squeeze until all the “my way, not yours” is squeezed out of us. For those who truly seek to follow Christ, the more we are willing to surrender—the harder He is willing to squeeze.

 

As Oswald Chambers puts it: “If you want to be a fully orbed grape, don’t place yourself in God’s Hand. He will crush you. Wine cannot be made in any other way.”

 

There are two honest ways to diminish the pain of the squeeze. One is to forsake discipleship altogether. The other is to enjoy the juice of His presence so much we hardly notice the pain.

 

Dear Father,

Squeeze on.

Amen

 

pexels-siddhant-bodile-276328-850708
Weekly Devotions

Foundational Gratitude

“Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no ...
Weekly Devotions

A Pass-through

“I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you…and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you” (Genesis 12:2-3, NIV). ...
Weekly Devotions

Hope

“Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me” (Psalm 51:10, NKJV). With his liver tests slightly off, I ...
Weekly Devotions

Until It Hurts

“Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but ...
Weekly Devotions

When Helping Hurts

“The Lord said to me, ‘Go, show your love to your wife again, though she is loved by another and is an adulteress. Love her ...
pexels-steve-927546
Weekly Devotions

A Switch Too Far

“You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to human traditions” (Mark 7:8, NIV).   He stopped me in church ...
pexels-cottonbro-9588244
Weekly Devotions

A Dangerous Allegory

“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm ...
Weekly Devotions

Canyon Living

“This brings you great joy, although you may have to suffer a short time in various trials” (1 Peter 1:6, NET).   Eight years ago, ...