When You Cannot Plead Your Case

Well, I’ll tell you what, Butterbean, you gotta’ be ‘a-scootin’ yourself on up here on this here ol’ front porch swing that gits ta’ creakin’ louder’n a cranky ol’ barn door with rusty hinges ‘cause we’re done ‘bout to git ta’ steppin’ on into a truth so doggone good it’ll be ‘a-makin’ a sleepy lil’ ol’ hoot owl be ‘a-blinkin’ twice. Now, looky here at 1 Timothy 2:5 which is done ‘a-sayin’, “For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus.” That right there is a promise a whole lot sturdier than a fence post that’s done been sunk real deep in some o’ that there real good Texas red clay.

Now, be ‘a-lettin’ us git ta’ wanderin’ on back to that there book o’ Job for a lil’ ol’ minute. Bless his heart, that there man was ‘a-sufferin’ like a long-tailed cat in a room full of real heavy rocking chairs that were all ‘a-bein’ used at the same time. Job 1:1-7 is done ‘a-tellin’ us that he was a real good an’ righteous feller, yet ol’ trouble still came at him like a big ol’ stampede of confused, runaway mustang horses. He done looked ‘round for somebody to be ‘a-defendin’ him, somebody to be ‘a-standin’ twixt him an’ God, but all he done found was friends who was ‘bout as helpful as a lil’ ol’ rummagin’ raccoon ‘a-givin’ out tax advice. In Job 9:33 Job done was ‘a-cryin’ out for somebody who’d be ‘a-layin’ a hand on both God and man. In Job 16:19-21 he done longed for a partner to be ‘a-pleadin’ his case in heaven.

Little was Job ‘a-knowin’ that what he was done ‘a-wishin’ for would one day be a Savior ‘a-walkin’ this here earth with sandals on. Romans 8:31-34 is done ‘a-tellin’ us that Christ Jesus, who done died and done rose again, is now ‘a-steppin’ in an’ ‘a-speakin’ up for us. He’s done our Advocate from 1 John 2:1. He’s done our Mediator from 1 Timothy 2:5. He’s done our Intercessor from Romans 8:34. He’s done everything Job done needed and everything we ‘a-needin’, all wrapped up in one Savior who done loves us more’n a mama chicken hen is ‘a-lovin’ her lil’ baby chicks.

An’, Butterbean, if’n God’s done ‘a-bein’ for us, who can be agin’ us. Romans 8:31 is ‘a-sayin’ that there loud enough to sho’-nuff be ‘a-makin’ a squirrel be ‘a-dropin’ all its acorns. Christ ain’t  jus’ ‘a-sittin’ in heaven ‘a-twiddlin’ His thumbs. He’s done ‘a-speakin’ for you. He’s done ‘a-standin’ with you. He’s done ‘a-holdin’ you up when life done gits ta’ feelin’ wobblier than a newborn baby calf ‘a-tryin’ to be ‘a-standin’ on a muddy hillside.

Father, I be ‘a-thankin’ You for done givin’ us Jesus, our Mediator, our Advocate, and our Intercessor. Be ‘a-teachin’ us to done be ‘a-restin’ in His care and ‘a-trustin’ His voice above all others. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Now as you git ta’ shufflin’ off’n this here front porch like a lil’ ol’ possum ‘a-tryin’ to be ‘a-rememberin’ where it done left its snack, be ‘a-takin’ this here with you. You’re not ‘a-standin’ alone in front o’ God. You have a Savior who’s done ‘a-stepin’ right on into the middle and is done ‘a-sayin’, “This one right here is Mine.” You done have an Advocate who done is ‘a-steppin’ right in to be ‘a-fightin’ for you an’ never loses a case. You done have a Mediator who is ‘a-bridgin’ that there gap that’s done wider than that there Mississippi River. An’ you’ve done got a real special Friend in heaven who’s done ‘a-lovin’ you enough to be ‘a-speakin’ your name with so much joy.

With joy,

Gwen