Rob is a
prisoner of war in the enemy territory.
The enemy is merciless and likes to starve, torment and torture the
prisoners of war. When the try to cut
off Rob’s arm, he uses their inattention against them to escape and though he
tries unsuccessfully to free another man on his way out, he is only able to
free an ‘enemy’ imprisoned in the same chamber.
After they leave, the man (Az) tells Rob that since Rob saved his life,
he is obligated by vow to accompany him until he saves Rob’s life; to do less
would be dishonourable.
Rob tries
many times to get Az to leave even giving him opportunity to save his life to
be released from his vow, yet the man continues to follow Rob into his home country
even when trouble with the local thugs then the police happens. If the storyline sounds vaguely familiar,
it’s probably because you’ve seen the movie in the 90’s- it’s called Robin
Hood: Prince of Thieves.
This morning
I was thinking about following the Lord Jesus, “…If anyone desires to come
after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me.” (Lk.
9:23) and I was thinking of Robin Hood and how Azeem accompanies Robin into
unfamiliar and dangerous territory because of a vow due to Robin saving His
life.
Jesus has truly saved our lives,
and for that we follow (same word means accompany) Him on our life’s journey,
even into unfamiliar and sometimes dangerous territory.
Though we
don’t always know what is coming our way, what trials will ‘hit’ us or where we
are going in the long term, we do know the One we accompany along the way by
the Words written in His book, the Bible.
For this reason our journey can be filled with peace (1)
and joy (2) no matter what we face, and because
of our trust in Him, we need not fear (3): the
dangers, the troubles, the unknown, and all that we will encounter on the
journey for we do not walk alone (4). He walks by our side, in front leading (5) the way, behind
(6) as our rear guard, holds (7) us when needed, and in us (8) that we
might be one with Him (9).
(1) For he himself is our peace…
Eph. 2:14 ESV
(2) And may the God of hope fill
you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound
in hope through
the power of the Holy Spirit. Rm. 15:13
(3) There is no fear in love, but
perfect love casts out fear, because fear has torment…
1Jh. 4:18
(3,4,5) Do not fear; for I am with you; be
not dismayed; for I am your God... I will uphold you
with the right hand of My righteousness. Is. 41:10
(3,4) …Do not be frightened, and do not
be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you
wherever you go." Js. 1:9
(5) For this God is our God forever and
ever; He will be our guide even to death. Ps. 48:14
For as many as are led by
the Spirit of
God, they are the sons of God. Rm. 8:14
(6) …and the God of Israel will be your
rereward. Is. 52:12 KJV
(8) Whoever shall confess that
Jesus is the Son of God, God dwells in him and he in God.
1Jh. 4:15
(9) …that they also may be one in
Us… Jh. 17:21
We are not
alone for the One who accompanies us is faithful and true (Rv. 19:11), and He says He will never leave or
forsake us (Hb. 13:5). For a certainty,
our Lord remains with us on our journey.
Thank You Lord!
God is
faithful,
by whom you were called to the fellowship* of His Son,
participation
partnership
communication
communion
Jesus Christ our Lord.
1Cr. 1:9
*
Strong’s alternative meanings for fellowship