Our Advocate

I sinned. And straightway, post-haste, Satan flew
Before the presence of the most high God,
And made a railing accusation there.
He said: “This soul, this thing of clay and sod
Has sinned. ‘Tis true that he has named Thy Name,
But I demand his death, for Thou hast said:
“The soul that sinneth, it shall die”.
Shall not Thy sentence be fulfilled? Is justice dead?

Send now this wretched sinner to his doom.
What other thing can righteous ruler do?”
And thus he did accuse me day and night.
And every word he spoke, O God, was true!
Then quickly One rose up from God's right hand,
Before whose glory angels veiled their eyes.
He spoke: “Each jot and tittle of the Law
Must be fulfilled; the guilty sinner dies!

But wait - suppose his guilt were all transferred
To Me, and I had paid his penalty!
Behold, My hands, My side, My feet! One day
I was made sin for him, and died that he
Might be presented faultless at Thy Throne!”
And Satan fled away. Full well he knew
That he could not prevail against such love.
For every word my dear Lord spoke was true!

Author Unknown

"... And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father,
Jesus Christ the righteous."
1 John 2:1

I have gone to court a number of times for men with whom we were working in jail. Standing beside the accused will be his attorney, his advocate. His work is to represent and to plead for his client. A good attorney is a tremendous blessing.

As believers there are times when we may fail; we sin. The devil is quick to pounce on that weakness and to accuse us before the Judge of all the earth. But, thank God, Christ rises on our behalf in our defense. His pleading is always effective; He has never lost a case. We rejoice at the intercessory work of our Saviour. - Donald L. Norbie

(Another treasure from Choice Gleanings Calendar)