CONCERT OF PRAYER

Pray Week 728

“Squeeze Play”

Luke 22:19 (NIV) And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.

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The pitcher winds up and the batter squares off at the plate to bunt in such a manner that he will be thrown out at first base. The runner at third base is poised like a coiled spring ready to run to home and score a run upon a well executed sacrifice bunt. This sacrifice bunt is called a ‘squeeze play’ in baseball. It brings someone safely home.

Jesus made the ultimate ‘squeeze play’ sacrifice that brings us home also. Like grapes in a winepress He was crushed for our sins.

But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; – Isaiah 53:5

In this life as Christian believers and followers of Jesus we will also find ourselves being called upon to sacrifice at some level for the benefit of others. Why do we expect anything different? Why do we expect a life of ease and material abundance – a heaven on earth of sorts – when Jesus clearly stated the opposite to be true?

In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”- John 16:33b

Paul writes to Timothy that he is being poured out like a drink offering. In His service, we too will face trials and persecutions. We too will be poured out.

For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. – 2 Tim 4:6

Just as grapes must be crushed in order to become fine wine, we also must first be squeezed and crushed. God squeezes the natural sinful life out of us so that the life of His Son may be evident in us. He uses circumstances and people we don’t even like to squeeze us and we naturally object to being treated so poorly. We become stiff-necked and refuse to be grapes in His hands and harden our hearts like stones seeking to escape the pressure. We object because we have lost sight of the Lordship of Jesus over our lives as well as having lost sight of our calling to love others sacrificially.

Take a look at the trials and difficult circumstances you are running from. Are you about to give up on your marriage covenant because of a rocky patch in your relationship with your spouse? Examine yourself: are you loving your spouse as Jesus would? Are you acting sacrificially or selfishly? What is God squeezing out of your character so that the character of His Son will be more evident in your life?

Do you question God’s love and presence because of your situation? Now is not the time to distance yourself from Him. Now is the time to draw closer to Him – to be fully abandoned to His will for you. Let Him break you, shape you, squeeze and mold you.

May His character be evident in your life as God gives you the grace and strength to overcome and when you are poured out to be a multiplied blessing to countless others.

Close in prayer, thanksgiving & dedication of your work to the glory of God