Finding Assurance in a World of Lies… On this Hump Day of Holy Week, I felt impelled to share that—even in Jesus’ walk up to Calvary’s cross to die—there is hope, there is assurance, especially in a world that has been lying to itself for thousands of decades! Sadly, even those of us who profess Christ as our Savior can easily get swept up in those lies, especially when we are struggling and wondering if God even hears our prayers.

I have often used quotes and stories from one of my favorite preachers and theologians, Harry Ironside, who was a Canadian and American Bible teacher, preacher, theologian, pastor, and author who enjoyed being called ‘Ironside’. The reason for today’s story is one that mirrored his own concerns of faith as he was pastoring at the famous Moody Bible Church in Chicago. In the middle of his pastorate, he got so depressed he felt he wasn’t truly ‘born again’ and sadly stepped out of the pastorate. With the help of mentors and seeking daily prayer with God, he realized he was listening to the lies of the world instead of the truth of the God he so deeply loved! His new perspective changed him through and through.

When his mentors saw the change in him, they welcomed him with open arms back to the pulpit where God wanted him to be. In total, he pastored Moody Church in Chicago from 1929 to 1948, and passed quietly to his heavenly home in 1951. The Rev. Dr. Billy Graham dubbed Harry as one who “left us stories of laughter laced with solid theology.” I’m sharing one of those stories today because in this Holy Week where it seems everything in Jesus’ life was falling apart, we need to hang on because Jesus did. Enjoy the story and take it to heart.

‘Ironside was once speaking with an elderly man after Good Friday service. The man told him that he wanted to be sure of his salvation in Jesus Christ. So Ironside asked him, “Suppose you had a vision of an angel who told you your sins were forgiven. Would that assure you that you’re going to heaven when you die? Would that be enough to rest on?” The man quickly replied with enthusiasm: “Yes, I think it would. An angel would be splendid.” Ironside wasn’t happy with that reply, so he continued, “But suppose on your deathbed Satan came and said, ‘I was that angel, transformed to deceive you.’ Now, what would you say?”

The man was speechless. Ironside realized this man was already shaken from the Good Friday worship, so he shared from his heart with deep passion, telling the man that God has given us something more dependable than the voice of an angel. He has given His Son, who died for our sins, and He has testified in His own Word that if we trust Him, all our sins are gone. Then Ironside re-read 1 John 5:13 that he used in the Good Friday worship: “I have written this to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know you have eternal life.”  Then he gently continued asking this man “Is that not enough to rest on? It is a letter from heaven expressly to you?!” The man cried with joy and literally fell into the arms of this wonderful pastor saying, “thank you, thank you thank you Jesus!”

Perhaps we need to read this story more than once to remind ourselves that doubt and its constant companion—anxiety—comes in when we buy into lies and falsehoods. Yes, we are people of faith but, as a recent devotion on culture I wrote, it’s very easy to fall into society’s godless culture. On this Holy Week excursion, let’s remind ourselves that God has secured our lives here and for eternity through the death of His Son, Jesus Christ, and his resurrection.

So, when doubt creeps in, don’t look to angels, books, friends, experiences, etc. Instead, stand on the promises of God and remember that because of your faith in Jesus Christ, you are assured that you will always have an eternal life instantly waiting for you when you take your last breath on earth. Now that’s a promise you can “take to the bank” – AMEN!