Draw Near – 365 Guides to Greater Intimacy with GodSample

WHOSE SIDE I'M ON An old deaf man faithfully attended church each week. He could not hear the sermons or the music of the choir. He could not sing the hymns because he did not know what had been announced. One day a scoffer asked him through a note, "Why do you waste your time in church on Sundays? You can't hear a thing." The wise old man replied, "I want my neighbors to know which side I am on." In those last hours on the cross, Jesus was not alone. On one side, a thief mocked Him. But on the other side, a second thief determined to let the crowd know where he stood: Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom. That simple prayer (Luke 23:42-43) was the most important act of this miserable man's life. Jesus responded: Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise. There are times when our prayers have an additional benefit to them. Not only are we asking the Father to intervene on our behalf, but we are also testifying that we are people of faith who believe in Christ. While others panic, we pray. We should unashamedly pray in restaurants before our meals. This is a simple act that lets the world know which side we are on.