"Advocate"

Off yonder in the distance,

Looks like some crawlin’ ant,

Do you see those cattle?

I said, no sir, I can’t.

Look yonder where I’m pointin’,

I strained my eyes to see,

I thought I saw some tiny specks,

As black as they could be.

He said you ride off that way,

And bring that little bunch,

We’re movin’ ‘em up this way,

And I had a hunch,

That maybe he was testin’ me,

So I trotted out,

And I was about to see,

What Owhyee was about.

You could tell that they were cattle,

In just a little while,

Don’t really know how far I rode,

Maybe ‘bout a mile.

Turned that little bunch of cows,

And then picked up another,

Crossing that high desert,

But let me tell you, brother.

The silence was amazing,

The wind was dry up there,

I felt my burdens lifting,

Along with every care.

The voice that I heard speaking,

Was not what I expected,

He said I am your advocate,

And I was redirected.

‘Cause many times I wondered,

Who would speak for me,

And often there was no one,

At least that I could see.

But the whisper in the desert,

Said I am all you need,

And as I moved those cattle,

My heart received a seed.

That truth that makes the difference,

And certainly sets free,

Jesus is my advocate,

The One who speaks for me.

It’s not I didn’t know it,

I guess I’ve always known,

But not the way I needed to,

And because of it I’ve grown.

I brought with me the silence,

Of that desert way up high,

And I still can hear it,

Don’t even have to try.

Our living Intercessor,

Beside the Father’s throne,

Always speaking for us,

It’s something to be shown.

“But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father…” (1 John 2:1, NLT)

Have you ever wondered if anyone would ever care enough to defend you or take up you for you? Perhaps you’ve seen other people who were promoted, and you wonder why no one takes notice of your hard work and effort. Many, if not most of us, have felt that way at one time or another. Jesus wants us to know that we have the ultimate advocate in Him. He who knows us best loves us the most. And because He promotes us in all the ways that matter, it really doesn’t matter if we get promoted by people. We put all that in God’s hands and live with the confidence that all that really matters to us is in His hands.

Lord, help us live in the confidence of Your advocacy, in Jesus’ name.

Personal photo of my good friend, John Babb, who sent me after the cattle that looked like black specs they were so far away. Thanks, John.