Exchange. We’ve all done it at times. Probably hundreds of times. Perhaps the most likely time we do this is immediately after Christmas. We take gifts that were given to us and exchange them. For a different style or color. Or for an item/product that isn’t stained or damaged. Or sometimes we simply exchange our gift for money. This way we can purchase what we really want. The whole purpose behind an exchange is that we get value for value. We exchange a $20 article of clothing for another $20 article of clothing. Or $20 in credit. What we aren’t able to do is to exchange upwards. So, for example, we can’t exchange a $20 gift for $40. Or $100. If were to do this, stores would soon go bankrupt. Then we wouldn’t receive any gifts.
Now if someone who was rich wanted to, they could afford to exchange and receive lesser value. The rich very rarely, if ever, do this because they aren’t into losing money. They are into making money. So generally, whenever a person does an exchange with a rich person, they know that they are going to come out on the short end of things. That’s the way it goes. The richer you are, the more money you make. But again, if the rich wanted to, they could give a person greater value than what they’ve received. They could do this because they can afford to. They can take a monetary loss and still be financially stable. Of course, no matter how rich a person is, they couldn’t afford to do this forever. Sooner or later, depending upon the number of exchanges, and the amount of value lost, they would come to the point where they were broke. Then the favorable exchanges would end.
Fortunately, there is a place where we can receive infinitely greater value for our exchanges. It is called the ‘divine’ exchange. It is run by God. The way this exchange works is that we bring what we have to God. And He gives us something of far greater value in return. This exchange is made possible because of Jesus’ death on the cross. And it is made possible by faith. Among other things, we can exchange:
Our sin for His righteousness.
Our death sentence for eternal life.
An eternity in Hell for an eternity in Heaven.
Our brokenness for wholeness.
Our sickness for health.
Our sorrow for joy.
Our weakness for His strength.
Our shame for His glory.
Our trouble for His peace.
Our ignorance for His wisdom.
Our uncertainty for His guidance.
Our fear for security.
Our poverty for His wealth.
This list goes on and on. Isn’t this great? Nowhere in the world can we get such a one-sided exchange in our favor! How can God do this? First of all, because He is merciful and gracious. Secondly, because of His unlimited resources. As Christians, we are told in Philippians 4:19 that “My God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” The fact is that God has an unlimited supply of all kinds of things that we need. And He is willing to exchange our poverty for His riches. Wow!
Now if someone who was rich wanted to, they could afford to exchange and receive lesser value. The rich very rarely, if ever, do this because they aren’t into losing money. They are into making money. So generally, whenever a person does an exchange with a rich person, they know that they are going to come out on the short end of things. That’s the way it goes. The richer you are, the more money you make. But again, if the rich wanted to, they could give a person greater value than what they’ve received. They could do this because they can afford to. They can take a monetary loss and still be financially stable. Of course, no matter how rich a person is, they couldn’t afford to do this forever. Sooner or later, depending upon the number of exchanges, and the amount of value lost, they would come to the point where they were broke. Then the favorable exchanges would end.
Fortunately, there is a place where we can receive infinitely greater value for our exchanges. It is called the ‘divine’ exchange. It is run by God. The way this exchange works is that we bring what we have to God. And He gives us something of far greater value in return. This exchange is made possible because of Jesus’ death on the cross. And it is made possible by faith. Among other things, we can exchange:
Our sin for His righteousness.
Our death sentence for eternal life.
An eternity in Hell for an eternity in Heaven.
Our brokenness for wholeness.
Our sickness for health.
Our sorrow for joy.
Our weakness for His strength.
Our shame for His glory.
Our trouble for His peace.
Our ignorance for His wisdom.
Our uncertainty for His guidance.
Our fear for security.
Our poverty for His wealth.
This list goes on and on. Isn’t this great? Nowhere in the world can we get such a one-sided exchange in our favor! How can God do this? First of all, because He is merciful and gracious. Secondly, because of His unlimited resources. As Christians, we are told in Philippians 4:19 that “My God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” The fact is that God has an unlimited supply of all kinds of things that we need. And He is willing to exchange our poverty for His riches. Wow!
So what are we waiting for? If we haven’t brought our sins to God, we should do so today! He will gladly exchange them for the righteousness of Christ. And if there is any other area in our life where we are lacking, we can simply bring our lack or deficiency to Him. And He will exchange it for His riches! No, we don’t deserve it. That’s precisely the point. But as believers, it is our right. Anytime, anywhere, we can come to the divine exchange. We will never be turned away. And we will never be short-changed. Instead we will come away with far greater resources than we had. All because of Jesus. Isn’t that a reason to love Him all the more?Lord, I thank you for the wonderful exchange that happened because of the cross. All my sins, sickness and poverty were exchanged for Your righteousness, life and riches. May I come freely to Your throne of grace. Bringing my lack for Your supply. I will never be disappointed! In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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