The God Who Gets Dirty

By Benjamin H. Liles

          I forget where I heard this, but it bears repeating: "God doesn't stay far off when we're in trouble. No, God comes along side you and gets down and dirty with you right where you are." Think about that and think on these verses as well when you do. Think about how God comes to where you are and helps you in your distress.

          So, here are those verses:

For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many - Mark 10:45

[Christ] emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in human likeness - Philippians 2:7

Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many; and He will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who eagerly await Him - Hebrews 9:28

But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed - Isaiah 53:5

He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. "By His stripes you are healed." - 1 Peter 2:24

“A woman who had been bleeding for twelve years came up behind Jesus and barely touched his clothes. She had said to herself, ‘If I can just touch his clothes, I will get well.’ Jesus turned. He saw the woman and said, ‘Don’t worry! You are now well because of your faith.’ At that moment, she was healed.” - Matthew 9:20-22

“After Jesus said this, he spit on the ground. He made some mud and smeared it on the man’s eyes. Then he said, ‘Go and wash off the mud in Siloam Pool.’ The man went and washed in Siloam, which means ‘One Who Is Sent.’ When he had washed off the mud, he could see.” - John 9:6-7

“As he was going into a village, ten men with leprosy came toward him. They stood at a distance and shouted, ‘Jesus, Master, have pity on us!’ Jesus looked at them and said, ‘Go show ourselves to the priests.’ On their way, they were healed. When one of them discovered he was healed, he came back, shouting praises to God. He bowed down at the feet of Jesus and thanked him.” - Luke 17:12-16

You may be going through the ringer, so to speak, in this moment, but God is with you in the midst of your challenges you face. He is with you in those trials by fire you know you have done your very best, and He's with you regardless of whether you failed or not. The thing of it is, God is a God who saves; not just a little bit, not even a God who saves somewhat. No, He is the God who saves! He does things all the way! He healed the blind. He healed those who called to Him in desperate need of Him.

So, no matter where you are at, keep on reaching out to Him. All it takes is faith and to keep having it in abundance. After all, what else pleases the Lord on high? "And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him" (Hebrews 11:6). So, stick it out with Him and He will remain with you to the end of this age and beyond! Amen.