Yes and Amen

               When the twins were about three, we took them swimming. It was a beautiful outdoor pool with all sorts of fun to be had. The girls were gaining on their skill level. We purchased some noodles which they were able to play with and float on. Soon they discovered they could lean over the noodle and it would keep them upright while they floated around kicking. They were having so much fun playing it was simply a delight.

            I turned and walked from the baby pool to the seating area where Bree was tending to Hailey. I turned around and saw one of the girls with her feet in the air and her head under water. She was clearly stuck on the noodle face down and could not get up. My heart was racing and I began sprinting across the water as fast as possible. I grabbed a foot and pulled her out of the water so briskly.

            She began coughing but was going to be OK. The adrenaline flushed through my body to such an extent I had to sit down to calm down. From that moment I recognized a father’s love for their children. It also revealed to me the love Christ has for us. This love is beyond comprehension. As a father I promise to raise them to the best of my ability. I will see to it that their needs are met. I work very hard to provide for them. I ensure they have food clothing and proper care.

            I love my children in spite of their ornery behavior and shortcomings. They matter so much to me. No matter what it takes I care for them. I remember one time the girls got a virus that made them so sick I slept on the floor of the bathroom to keep up with them vomiting. Christ has an even greater love for us. Let’s look at God’s love for us with respect to yes and amen.

            Let’s address God’s love in Romans 8: 15-16 (KJV):
15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear, but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, “Abba! Father!”
16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit that we are the children of God;
God is not Santa Claus. He is our heavenly father. This means he provides for our needs, he wants to be asked for gifts but also will ensure other priorities are handled as well. These priorities vary from person to person. He is more concerned at being looked upon as our heavenly father than someone we just ask something of all the time.
Let’s look at the purpose behind Amen. The Hebrew word used for amen in the Old Testament is “ei men” and means “so be it, verily, true,” or “truly” (literally “truth”) and is how you declare your affirmation. So if I say “Jesus is God” and some in the congregation were to say “amen” or “truly.” They are affirming their agreement also the charge of so be it.
This relates to our lives in various facets. Abraham waited 10 years for the blessing of his child. In Genesis 12:4 Abraham was 75 when he was promised to be a great nation. In Genesis 15:1-6 ten years later Abraham was 85 when he was promised to have a child. When Abraham was 100 God told him he was going to have a child. Abraham had given up on this 20 year promise and fell on his face laughing.  We all have been in the place where we have given up on a promise we thought we heard from God. But the promise was still there and still was a yes and amen.

             Imagine it took Noah over 120 years before he saw the ramifications of his call. Do you think there were times when he pinched his finger or got knocked in the head by a board that he didn’t reconsider what he was doing? Joseph was Joseph was 17 when he had a dream Genesis 37:5-11 of his brothers serving him. Over 13 years he was enslaved, his family betrayed him, his friends betrayed him, and he had to endure imprisonment to become second in command in the entire nation. He had a gift but didn’t get to use it for years. There were years of refining before the call was established.  I was told in high school I would preach but it took 20 years and I wasn’t expecting it in fact to a large extent I was probably like Abraham and have given up on the dream.

             Just like Noah, and Abraham getting the yes and amen in their lives, in Genesis 50:20 Joseph watched his brother’s bow before him and he explained how evil was brought for good. Can you imagine Jesus on the cross as described in Luke 23:33-43. He has been humiliated, given vinegar to drink, jeering and laughing he endured, yet he took the time to listen to the sinner beside him an ushered him into the kingdom of heaven. Jesus said in Matthew 10:29 not one sparrow falls without God knowing and the very number of hairs on our head are numbered.

Look at the following scriptures and see God’s yes and amen:

• 2 Corinthians 1:20 (KJV) 20 For all the promises of God in Him are “yea”; and in Him “amen” unto the glory of God by us.
• Matthew 6:31-33 Our daily needs, food, clothing housing – yes and amen
• John 14:26 Send us the Holy Spirit to be our helper, we aren’t alone – yes and amen
• 1 Corinthians 10:13 he will help you escape temptation – yes and amen
• John 15:11 He will give you joy – yes and amen
• Hebrews 13:20-21 He will provide you with what you need to do his will – yes and amen
• Ephesians 3:14,16 God supplies all your needs according to his riches in glory including spiritual strength – yes and amen
• Hebrews 13:6 God is your helper and you have to fear nobody – yes and amen
• Mark 10:29-30 You walk in the will of God you receive a hundred fold blessing – yes and amen
• 1 Corinthians 12:18 God grants you a chosen role in the church body – yes and amen
• John 14:2-3 A promise of a specific place in heaven just for you – yes and amen
• Philippians 1:6 He who started a work in you will complete it – yes and amen
• Revelation 21:4 He wipes away every tear and one day death shall be no more – yes and amen
• 1 John 3:2 One day we will see Jesus and be like him in eternity – yes and amen
• Revelation 22:3-5 One day we will see God’s face – yes and amen
• Ephesians 1:16-18 Promise of riches and a glorious inheritance – yes and amen
• 1 Thessalonians 4:13 you don’t have to grieve like others who are lost because he gives you hope – yes and amen
• 1 Thessalonians 5:8-10 Hope you are not destined for wrath but salvation – yes and amen
• 1 Peter 1:3-4 an inheritance that is un-defiled and unfading – yes and amen
• Isaiah 65:24 before you ask he answers. – That’s yes and amen

          
You must remember you are a precious child of God, born with a God given, God granted purpose, Your days and calling are ordained by God himself and all his promises are ….. yes…… and amen.