"Fear thou not: for I am with thee: be not dismayed for I am thy God; I will strengthen thee: yea I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of My righteousness."

What is God's right hand of righteousness? Righteousness does not mean, just being real good. Because being good alone, doesn't impress God at all. He doesn't offer you His right hand because you earned it. In fact, the only way you can receive it is by admitting that you have not lived up to His or even your own expectations. Can you just say, "Man, have I blown it and I need your forgiveness God and I need your help forgiving myself too."

Just to make it clear, here. You can never be bad enough that God will say, "Ok, you are just toooo bad for Me …" Nor will He ever say, "Hey, you are impressive, I need more people like you!". High marks, low marks all the same to Him. So, if you find yourself in either category, the good news is … He doesn't choose by your abilities or mine. It was what He chose to do for you that matters.

You know the story. Key words here: Golgotha, the three crosses, Jesus in the middle. The other two guys were up there for something they had done; He wasn't. One guy says:

"Lord, remember me when you come into your kingdom …"

Jesus replies, "Assuredly I say to you; today you will be with me in Paradise."

Was this criminal really, really good? Nope. Was he, really, really bad? Yep! Was he the first recipient of God's grace and mercy made available to us through the death and resurrection of His Son? Yep.

Tetelesti. What does it mean? Jesus last words spoken before dying. "It is finished." This debt has been paid in full. Will you honor Him by accepting what He has done? He knows your heart.

Just like the thief on the cross, he was stuck. Couldn't change a thing if he wanted to. All he could do was to give it up. Funny thing though, just when you are ready to give up … there He is.