Our house is filled with toys. At least, it sometimes seems that way. I’ve even found the kids’ toys under my bed and in the drawer of my nightstand. What amazes me, however, is not the number of toys (after all, we have four kids), but the fact that we don’t lose more of them.
There are games we’ve had for years, for which we still have all the pieces. In addition, we still have toys that the kids played with years ago. I’m not referring to the toys we’ve stored in the attic for some as-yet-unknown purpose. I’m talking about the toys that have managed to escape the toy rotation and stay in the kids’ rooms because they are beloved and oft-played-with.
Sometimes, however, a beloved toy can’t be found.
That happened to Kenny the other day. He has a small toy which he alternately calls a spaceship or an airplane. He loves this toy because it has a light he can turn on and off. He swoops it through the air, making it fly fast and high. He really loves this tiny little piece of plastic. And one day, he couldn’t find it.
I was sitting at the table working on something. I knew that Kenny had lost his toy, and I knew he was looking for it. Because I wanted him to try to solve his own problem, I let him look on his own. I heard him saying things as he looked, like, “Nope, it’s not in there.” His voice got sadder and sadder. When he had almost lost hope, Kenny came and stood beside me.
“Will you please look for my spaceship, the airplane?” he asked sadly. “He’s a really good flyer.”
I felt the poignancy of his request deep in my soul. You see, Kenny wasn’t merely asking for my help. He was pointing out the virtues of his airplane in the hope that knowing its worth would move my heart to find it.
Kenny was being an advocate for that airplane.
You and I also have an advocate for our needs. And we have one who loves us far more even than Kenny loves his airplane.
Friend, our advocate is Jesus.
Dictionary.com defines an “advocate” as “a person who pleads for or in behalf of another; intercessor”. This is exactly what Jesus does for us. The Lord of all Creation intercedes with God the Father on our behalf. He pleads for us, and for our needs.
Don’t miss the awesome wondrousness of that reality. Not only can you yourself confidently approach your father, but His perfect Son Jesus is already there, advocating for you. I imagine Him saying something like this: “Father, she needs you. Please, meet her need. She’s your beloved child.”
Put your name into the words above. Then savor this truth. Let it sink deep into your heart and mind and soul.
But even more incredible than this amazing truth is the truth that God’s heart is moved by our need.
He’s not some distant deity who rules from on high without being touched by the fray below. No, our God is a personal God, an immediate and intimate God. He cares about us and our needs.
Over and over, the Bible shows God responding emotionally to his people’s needs. Granted, His emotions aren’t the same as ours. They are completely pure and always righteous. But He has granted us a relationship with Him such that our needs touch His heart.
No other follower of any other god dares claim that his or her god cares personally about human needs.
You and I do dare to claim this, because God the Father Himself proclaims it over and over throughout Scripture!
God the Son always lives to advocate for us, bringing our needs to God the Father, because He loves the fragile beings He created and died for.
God the Holy Spirit advocates for us with groans that words cannot express.
Imagine it. God cares deeply and passionately about us and our needs.
I can think of no more profound truth than that.
Praise God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, that this is true.
To Him be glory, both now, and forevermore. Amen.
Hebrews 7:25—Therefore he (Jesus) is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.
Romans 8:26—In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.
Job 16:19—Even now my witness is in heaven; my advocate is on high.
1 Peter 5:7—Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
2 Peter 3:18—To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.