My Redeemer Lives

"I know that my redeemer lives, and that in the end He will stand on the earth." -Job 19:25

In the oldest book of the Bible, we find the story of Job. He was a man of great wealth, honor, and integrity. He worshipped God and took care of those less fortunate. Even though it appears he did everything right, he still lost everything near and dear to him: his children, wealth, and health. The scriptures tell us that in all of his pain and suffering he did not curse God. He questioned God, reasoned with God, and cried out to Him, but he did not curse Him.

Job faced accusations, indifference, and isolation from those closest to him. In the midst of great physical and mental anguish, Job chose to trust God. His statement, "I know that my redeemer lives, and that in the end He will stand on the earth," is one of great faith. It is sometimes hard to believe God exists and cares for us when life is hard. It is in those times that we have to dig in and lean on Who and what we know. The only way you can say God is alive, He is near, and He will one day make all of this right either in this life or the next, is by knowing Him. We cannot know God if we don't know His Word(Bible). We can't know God if we stay away from His people(The Church). And we cannot know God if we don' talk to Him(pray).

Like Job, firefighters and first responders are generally considered "good" people. We are the protectors of society who took an oath to protect lives and property. We go to work every day willing to risk our lives to save others. Our acts of service and heroism while noble, don't make us immune to pain and suffering, neither do praying and going to church. 

On the fire ground and in life, we are defined by how we respond to adversity. Our first response should always be to trust in Christ. Choose to believe even when you can't see or feel God working. Choose to believe when doubt creeps in. When you know God, the easier it is to trust Him and His plan. May we be able to proclaim in every situation, "I know my Redeemer lives!"

May the LORD Bless You and Keep You!

Bobby

The LORD Will Provide

"Abraham answered, “God Himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” And the two of them went on together." -Genesis 22:8

This weekend hunters all over the Great State of Texas are sitting in a tree or deer stand somewhere hoping to harvest a deer. It is such a blessing to have God provide "meat for the freezer," food that can feed a family. As I have seen social media posts of God's provision for my friends and family this weekend, I have been reminded that God is our provider. 

Abraham was tested by God and asked to do the unthinkable- sacrifice a son that he waited 90 years to have. So, he took his son and began to build the altar. Not aware that he was the sacrifice, Isaac asked his father, "Where is the lamb?(Genesis 22:7)" Abraham's response was, "the LORD will provide." Abraham knew the promises of God. He was loyal to the God who called him and completely trusted in Him. Isaac was evidence of the promise that God would bless the entire world through his son. Fast forward a few millennia to one of Isaac's descendants, Jesus, the "lamb of God(John 1:29)" provided to "take away our sins!"

God is always providing for us. Every meal, talent, skill, and relationship are gifts from God. Even more so, He provided His son, Jesus to be a sacrifice on the cross to provide us with His Love, Mercy, Grace, and Forgiveness. His Word, the Holy Scriptures, are full of His promises for us. What is it that you need from God in this moment? Is it healing, wisdom, strength, peace, hope, purpose, direction, a new job, a miracle, or your next meal? Whatever it is, we can be certain and have faith just like Abraham that THE LORD WILL PROVIDE. 

May the LORD bless you and keep you!

Sr Captain Bobby Delgado, HFD Chaplain

Photo Credit: Kelly Parker 

Trust in Him

"You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you." -Isaiah 26:3

We've endured a complete change of life due to COVID-19 and the aftermath from the death of George Floyd. It feels like life as we know it may never be the same. It is certainly certain that no one is certain about anything. Experts in religion, science, medicine, government policy, public opinion, social media, and the economy don't seem to agree on anything. There is strife and division everywhere we look. Opinions on how to move forward together as a country seem to be ever changing and evolving. Even change for the better is met with resistance. With the constant change we are facing, it is easy to be stressed, depressed, angry, pessimistic, and anxious about our future.

What we all need is assurance. We all need that rock to hold onto. God promises His "perfect peace" to us if we just hold on to and trust in Him. He is immovable, unshakable, immortal, perfect, and constant. He is the only One we can count on. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever(Hebrews 13:8). He never promised us this life would be easy, predictable, or comfortable. He does promise to always be with us and give us His peace and strength to endure. It is evident to me that if I put my trust in Him, I will have peace, no matter what is going on around me. Faith in anything but Him has and will lead to disappointment. May we trust Him, and may He grant us His perfect peace.

 

May the LORD bless you and keep you!

Senior Captain Bobby Delgado

HFD Chaplain

Slug

"Whoever is slack in his work is a brother to him who destroys." -Proverbs 18:9

"Slug" is one of those names that you do not want attached to you in the fire department. Hard work is an essential asset of anyone wishing to succeed in the fire service. While cleaning toilets as a young "tabber" at Station 12, my captain told me that I would go far in the fire department if I kept up my work ethic. My chief at Station 82 made it a point to instruct me not to be like the previous rookie, who earned the notorious label "slug." As an officer it is easy to see that the best firefighters are the ones who are always working. Hard work ensures that everything is in a state of readiness for whatever the shift may throw at you. Simply put by someone, hard work pays off. 

One of the keys to life is not being afraid of work and getting our hands dirty. We should relish the opportunity to put forth our best effort in whatever we do, "as unto the Lord(Colossians 3:23)." Every wake up call is a chance to do God's work. Maintaining relationships takes work. Repairing damaged ones, even more work. Staying connected to God does take work on our part. Loving your neighbor, yup, takes work. Loving your enemy, serious work. Racial reconciliation, you guessed it, takes work. Changing your world, a lifetime of work.  

The implications of being a slacker are related to destruction. Consider unkempt yards, dilapidated homes, failing relationships, preventable diseases, financial struggles, societal unrest, divided communities, and feeling distant from God. A slack attitude in life leads to loss at every corner and is downright sinful to those around us and to God. Start with putting in the work of knowing and loving God. In turn, He will guide you in putting in the work of loving your spouse, children, neighbor(everyone), enemy, and world. Then and only then will we see true transformation. 

May the LORD bless you and keep you!

Senior Captain Bobby Delgado

HFD Chaplain

JUSTICE

"He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? 

To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." -Micah 6:8

The horrific public killing of George Floyd has brought about outrage and much needed calls for justice. My hope and prayer is that his killer and accomplices are punished for their crimes. Our God is a God of justice. As His children, we have been ordained by God to speak and stand against injustice of every kind. We should not just tweet, repost, and share, but we must also listen, pray, write, march, vote, give, donate, love, volunteer, hold accountable...

Being about justice isn't a one time event. It is a lifestyle. We don't get to pick and choose which injustices matter. They all matter to God. We also don't get to solve one injustice with another. Unjust acts in the name of justice are still unjust. Right after God tells us to "act justly/do justice/love justice", he asks us to love mercy. We must remember that each sin we have and will ever commit is against a Holy and Righteous God. When He offered His Son as the perfect sacrifice for our sins, He offered us MERCY. I am so grateful for His mercy every day, because I know what I deserve and never get. We must also offer mercy in the manner and measure we have received.

The only way we can administer Justice tempered with Mercy is to "walk humbly with God." Our gut reaction, apart from God, is to offer swift street justice. We want people to pay and we want them to suffer just as much. If we're honest, we want them to suffer even more than their victims. We want them to burn in hell. The more we walk with God, the more we are willing to extend mercy and grace while also holding them accountable for their actions. 

May the LORD bless you and keep you!
Senior Captain Bobby Delgado
HFD Chaplain

Adopted by God

"...the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by Him we cry, Abba, Father." -Romans 

Adoption holds a special place in my heart. I always knew I wanted to adopt. I believe the Good Lord in His infinite wisdom and purpose was preparing me to be married to an adoptee who had several first cousins who are also adopted. Their family refers to them as "the chosen ones." I love that title, it says so much. The vast majority of us don't get to choose our families. To be chosen is to be wanted. The chosen have been found to have inherent worth and value that they don't have to earn. Once adoptions are legally finalized, all the rights of children are immediately granted to the adopted.

Being the father to two adopted boys, I understand the beauty of God's plan of salvation a little better these days. Believing in Jesus grants us adoption into the family of God. The God of the Universe made a way for us to be part of His family by dying on the cross for us. Take some time to let that marinate and sink in. We are so loved and valued to be chosen by God. It is a huge blessing to be part of His family. Our inheritance is eternal life with Him. He allows us to have a personal relationship with Him where we can call Him Father. As father, He is always there for us. What is His is ours. He is always guiding, protecting, and providing. As sinners, we did nothing to earn it, and we can't do anything to change it. Thank you Father that your heart for us leads to adoption into Your family. 

Be blessed,

Senior Captain Bobby Delgado

HFD Chaplain