A Redemptive God

"The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me,

because the LORD has anointed me. . .

to grant to those who mourn in Zion--

to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes,

the oil of gladness instead of mourning,

the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit;

the they may be called oaks of righteousness,

the planting of the LORD,

that he may be glorified."

Isaiah 61:1a,3 ESV

Life is hard.  I came to this conclusion after a year filled with joblessness, unpaid bills, an accident that destroyed our car, homelessness, chronic car trouble, parent-caretaking struggles, the death of three beloved pets. And the list goes on.  It's true that follow Jesus does not mean that life will be easy.

The good news is that the LORD is a redemptive God.  He can do something good with each hard situation I face (Romans 8:28).  But its more than that.  Through repentance and faith in Christ, I've been given something new, a fresh perspective, an innovative set of tools, a whole different identity.  Of this I can rejoice, no matter my circumstances.

Ashes.  The smoke choked out the sun, creeping into every nook and cranny, filling the nostrils with its acrid stench.  The land was ravaged by the out-of-control wildfires, taking with it homes, businesses; whatever stood in its path was destroyed.  The summer-long drought contributed to the ease by which it spread, providing ample fuel for the hungry flames.  When it was over, nothing but ashes were left.  

Incredibly, beauty emerges from the ruins.  Seeds sprout and the fire-ravaged landscape suddenly springs back to life with such incredible speed that a barren environment seems to have undergone a miraculous transformation.  And it turns out there is a chemical in the smoke itself that is responsible for triggering such speedy growth.  The very thing that caused the damage contains an element that brings about beauty.

This kind of regenerative property found in smoke reminds me of the transformative power that is in Christ Jesus.  All that is destroyed, ruined, beyond repair in my life is brought back to life and turned into something beautiful.  He uses the ugly and hurtful, weaving each painful strand into a beautiful tapestry.  Soon, astounding splendor emerges from the ruins.  Therefore, I need not be discouraged when the worst happens.  For through it will come that which takes my breath away.

No matter what I face this day I can rejoice because of the beauty that Christ creates from the ashes.

Mourning.  It truly was the worst of times.  The Jewish people, exiled into a foreign land and finding a home there after years of assimilation into the strange culture, found themselves facing annihilation.  Completely unprovoked and unwarranted, the king had issued an edict calling for the total destruction of God's people.  As they waited for the fateful day of execution to come, they prayed for salvation from the only One who could save them.

Incredibly, a new decree was issued, giving the people of God permission to defend themselves against any armed force that might attack them on the very day set aside for their destruction.  Thus, the Jews were saved, and light, gladness, joy and honor spread through the hearts of the people.  This was a holiday like no other for this was the day the prayers of the people were answered, and a celebration to end all celebrations spread throughout the land (Esther 8:15-17).

The Jews rejoiced for they had passed from death to life, and those who trust in Jesus have also done the same (1 John 3:14).  "I once was lost, but now am found; was blind, but now I see."  John Newton expresses it perfectly, and joy emerges as I see all that I have in Jesus.  Every spiritual blessing is mine in Christ, each promise God has made belongs to me through faith in Him (Ephesians 1:3, 2 Corinthians 1:20).  My sin has condemned me but now, through faith in Jesus, I find hope for an eternity with Him; no more fear of death and the judgement that follows (John 3:16-19).  Life is my new destiny!

Even in the midst of mourning over all that is lost, joy emerges as I realize all that gained in Christ.

Despair.  I remember the moment clearly.  It wasn't that big of a deal, but my nerves were on edge nonetheless.  My family and I were finishing out the final weeks of our three-year stint in Germany.  As Christmas approached and my sister and her new husband arrived, we were getting by with borrowed furniture as ours was on its way back to the States where we would soon follow.  We had also shipped our vehicle and were depending upon public transportation to get around.  As we made the trek to the commissary to purchase provisions one afternoon, we labored to carry our food home on the train.  As we arrived back at our apartment, we realized the bag of oranges we had bought was not there and soon came to the conclusion that we had left the much-desired fruit on the train platform as we struggled to load our young children onto the train.  In an attempt to comfort me, my husband reached out to hug me and said, "I love you."  I recoiled in frustration, saying, "How does that help get the oranges back?"

Of course I appreciated my husband's attempts to comfort me, but I could not get beyond the discouragement I felt over losing the oranges, and how difficult a job it had become to accomplish such a simple task as grocery shop, and the shear distress I felt over unnecessary waste of money.  In my frustration, I failed to see the value of my husband's devotion.

While this is an example of a small disappointment, life is filled with much deeper heartache.  The unexpected loss of a loved one, the end of a marriage, the return of a destructive habit, the reappearance of the familiar bitterness of disappointment.  I feel discouraged, that there is no hope for a better tomorrow and sense that things may possibly never improve, that I'm unable to move past the struggles I seem to always face.  Then comes the realization that within me I have a treasure beyond compare, the privilege of knowing Jesus and walking with Him throughout each and every struggle (2 Corinthians 4:7).  I have the honor of dwelling in His strength in the midst of the mess.  And He reaches in and envelopes me with His love, whispering, "I love you" as I get caught up in the temporary.  And I realize. . . nothing else really matters!

While life is swirling around me, causing trouble right and left, I am reminded that there is no joy greater than that of knowing Jesus (Philippians 3:8). 

Yes, life is hard.  But in Christ I have the hope of beauty emerging from the ashes, oil of gladness anointing me through the mourning, and a garment of praise for all He is to me in the midst of despair.  This is how God manifests His redemptive Spirit through the hard stuff of my life, and of this I can rejoice!

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can trust God enough to rejoice in the love He has for me, especially when circumstances distract me from this truth.

How do I focus only on the struggles and fail to see beyond my frustration to the greater treasure.

When do I choose to mourn when I've been blessed beyond compare?

Beautiful Feet

"How beautiful on the mountains

are the feet of the messenger who brings good news,

the good news of peace and salvation,

the news that the God of Israel reigns!

The watchmen shout and sing with joy,

for before their very eyes 

they see the LORD returning to Jerusalem."

Isaiah 52:7-8 NLT

All is broken, twisted, ruined because of sin.  Judgment is my inheritance, condemnation my rightful fate (Romans 3:23, 6:23).  Nothing is as God first created it to be.  I need some good news in the midst of all this mess.  

Behold!  A messenger is coming!  Now is the time to pay attention.

Comfort.  It's true, I get what's coming to me.  Whichever path I choose will determine my destination (Matthew 7:13-14).  There is no magic pill that will protect me from experiencing the consequences of my actions (Galatians 6:7-8).  Still, when everything is falling apart because of my stubborn insistence on living my way, God still cares.  He's still there.  He still offers help in spite of my wayward heart (Isaiah 52:9).

How can I receive such help from a holy God?  Since I am sinful to the core, is it even proper for me to approach the throne of grace for assistance from the One with unlimited resources?  Can I even receive His consolation? Feel His caring touch?  Experience peace with him?  Yes!  I am astounded to discover that I can enter into relationship with the living God who will never cease to amaze me.  How?  By turning away from my own selfish ways and taking on Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior (Acts 20:21)!  Through Jesus I find the lovingkindness of God freely pouring into my life (Hebrews 4:16).

The good news of Jesus Christ is that I can receive the comfort of God.

Redemption.  I'm held captive by my sinful flesh.  I'm a slave to the desires of my selfish heart (Romans 6:16).  I can't help but sin for I have no other choice.  As a result, I reap all the results of such a lifestyle.  Hostility rules my heart and I find myself often getting into heated arguments with others over the silliest of things.  Anger erupts on a regular basis and I find my family is in a constant state of divisiveness, as if we can never find common ground.  I am drawn to the substance of my choice as a tool to drown my sorrows, numb my feelings, ease the pain of my life and the only things that seems to bring me any joy is the latest party, the rowdier the better.  I find myself sinking deeper and deeper into such captivity and I feel I have no power to break the bonds that hold me (Galatians 5:19-21).

Who will set me free from such destruction?  How will I ever feel at peace?  Is there hope for me?  Thank God for sending Jesus Christ to break the bonds that bind me and set the captives free (Isaiah 61:1-3, Romans 7:24-25)!  In dying on the cross He took the penalty for my sins, making a way for me to be right with God.  He paid the price to set me free from slavery to sin and now I can dedicate myself to living His way(Romans 6:18).

The good news of Jesus Christ is that I can be redeemed.

Freedom.  Living in tandem with the world corrupts my thinking, taints my heart, and leads me to destruction (Romans 12:2).  I am held back from truly living the life I'm meant to live, from experiencing the joy and peace that is mine, from being who I was created to be.  What is wrong with me, anyway?  Who is this monster that rises up inside of me and does all that is abhorrent to God?  It is sin.  And it seems to be an invincible force.

How will I ever live a pure life, unrestricted from the sin that weighs me down?  Will I ever discover who I'm meant to be, the real me apart from the fear and doubt, the insecurity and pride?  Through faith in Jesus Christ I can find freedom from what burdens me and holds me back.  In Him I have the opportunity to move from slavery into sonship, from shackles to freedom, from rejection to acceptance as a well-loved child.  In Christ I can find freedom from the sin that taints me; the kind of liberty that is real, permanent and authentic (John 8:34-36).  The kind of freedom that ushers me into the family of God forever (1 John 3:1).

The good news of Jesus Christ is that I can find freedom from the sin that corrupts me (Isaiah 52:11).

I am discouraged as I look around me at my life, the world, even my own heart.  Is there anything good, any news to offer hope?  Then I see a messenger coming, an ordinary-looking man without flowery speech or flashy delivery, but I know deep down that his message is important.  When I pay attention and listen with my whole being, I realize he is telling me what I need to know.  He is giving me the Good News of Jesus Christ that offers the comfort of God, redemption from slavery to sin, and freedom that liberates me in every way.  This is the kind of news I need, the message that will endure.  And I am so thankful for the beautiful feet who took the time to deliver such good news to me.   Why keep it to myself?

As I begin this day it is my prayer that God will develop in me a desire to share such good news with others. 

How have I only partially received such news?

When do I expect to have it both ways, sticking to my way of living and wanting the blessings that only come through obedience?       

     

All God's Benefits

"Let all that I am praise the LORD;

may I never forget the good things he does for me."

Psalm 103:2 NLT

While it is hard to follow Jesus in a culture than runs counter to His teachings, there is much good that comes from this relationship.  There are many advantages I've been given through this bond.  Have I redeemed these benefits?

Forgiveness.  I feel tainted, guilty, burdened by my failures, wrong decisions, and mess-ups.  Even though I know in my head I'm free from condemnation from such transgressions, my heart feels doomed, like I'm a convict awaiting my sentence (Romans 8:1).  

In truth, I've been absolved of all crimes against God and His perfect standards.  Even though I often choose my own way instead of His, I'm cleared of receiving what I deserve.  Despite the fact that I'm drawn to what I think of as the right choice that is in reality not God's best for me, I'm pardoned from the death sentence this kind of living earns me (Romans 6:23).

Forgiveness, true cleansing from the dirty stain of the sin that comes so natural to me, is mine.  While all the ways I fall short, all my missteps and attempts at coping and living according to my methods and ideas have made me guilty as sin, the blood of Jesus has cleansed me as white as snow (Isaiah 1:18).  When God looks at me, He no longer sees my sin but only the holiness of Jesus.  What do I see when I look at myself?

Have I redeemed the benefit of the forgiveness of God that Jesus' death on the cross secured for me?

Healing.  I belong to Jesus, this I know.  I'm a part of His family and glad to find such belonging there (1 John 3:1).  Still, there is this brokenness inside, this inability to move forward in my faith, this constant, nagging feeling of incompleteness in my soul.  Past hurts plague me like an insidious cancer, growing bigger and bigger until they consume me.  I find myself unable to relate to the love of Jesus or reciprocate this love in any way because there is something wrong in my heart.

"Do you want to get well?" It was a strange question for the Healer to ask the invalid who had lain at the healing waters of the pool of Bethesda for years, obviously seeking freedom from his disability (John 5:6).  Of course he wants to be healed, the onlookers must have thought, why else would he be in this place, hoping to be the first into the angel-stirred restorative waters?  

Turns out, it was a valid question and one I must ask myself.  Do I want to be free from what ails me, or do I gain some measure of satisfaction from the misery in which I find myself?  Is my identity so wrapped up in my physical or emotional pain that I subconsciously think I'd lose myself if I became well?  Do I somehow enjoy feeling sorry for myself or reap some kind of warped benefit from my brokenness?

Wholeness and fullness-of-life is mine through faith in Christ, for this is why He came, to give me the abundant life (John 10:10).  If I choose to live with my infirmities, preferring to feel self-pity and see myself as the unfortunate one, or even afraid of who I would be apart from my comfortable and familiar soul-sickness, I am not receiving the whole gift Jesus died to offer me.

Have I redeemed the benefit of healing that is mine through faith in Jesus Christ?

Redemption.  The redemptive power of God is astounding.  He takes the bad within us and exchanges it for something eternally precious.  He transforms what was meant for evil into something astoundingly good.  He is able to take the worst thing that ever happened to me and somehow turn it into the best, most life-changing experience of my life (Romans 8:28, Isaiah 61:3).  

Have I welcomed this redemptive force into my life, or do I tend to focus on the negative, failing to see all the good God is bringing out of it?  Part of faith is believing God will act according to His redemptive nature, doing as He has promised He will do, even when things seem impossibly bad and irreversibly lost.  In Christ, there is always hope.  In Christ, I have the expectation of a God who is doing something new today (Isaiah 43:18-19).  In Christ, I can walk forward into the darkness with confidence, knowing that God, the Light himself, is there waiting to illuminate my path.

Have I redeemed the benefit of His redemptive power at work in my life through faith in Jesus Christ?

It's easy to claim a relationship with Jesus Christ but fail to receive all He has to give.  He offers complete forgiveness of all my sins, past present and future.  Healing is mine so that I can live in fullness of life.  Not only is my life redeemed, but He uses His redemptive power to transform the ugly into the beautiful.  Have I redeemed these benefits?  If not, today is the day to cash in and start living as God means me to live; fully forgiven, healed of all brokenness and with the hope that comes in His redemption.    

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can trust God enough to confidently walk through the fire knowing that God will use it for my good.

How am I stuck in my sorrow, choosing pity instead of healing?

When do I feel weighed down with the guilt of my sin when Jesus freed me from such a burden?  

It Only Takes a Taste

"O taste and see that the Lord [our God] is good!

Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) 

is the man who trusts and takes refuge in Him."

Psalm 34:8 AMP

"How will I know he's the one?"  It's a question asked through the ages by young women yearning for their prince, their knight in shining armor, their future husband.  This sentiment also has been applied to God.  People throughout time have wondered, How do I know what the Bible says is true?  How can I be sure God really is good?  What if I put my trust in Him and it's all proved to be a sham, a big cosmic joke?

There is always a certain risk when it comes to matters of faith.  After all, that's what faith is: Believing something is true in the absence of evidence.  While I can see plenty of proof all around of a good God who loves us; the complexity of His creation, so-called coincidences that are just too good to be mere happenstance, a marriage between two people who love each other through thick and thin, it can be argued that I see these things because I know God for myself.  I love Him and have committed my life to Him through faith in Jesus Christ.  I believe so it could be said I only have eyes for Him.  I'm brainwashed, so to speak.

If this is true, then all I can say is what David expressed in today's passage.  "Try God out for yourself and then see all the ways He makes your life better.  You'll never know for sure until You give Him a chance in your own life!"  

What can I expect if I give Him a chance?

Deliverance.  Not from my problems.  Not from hardships.  Not from difficulties.  Submitting myself to God through faith in Jesus Christ will offer another kind of deliverance.  I will find freedom from fear as I begin to relate to God as a child to a loving, powerful and sovereign Father.  If He is my refuge and strength, bigger than any problem or crisis I face, what do I have to fear (Psalm 46:1- 3)?

In addition, shame will be gone as I realize the forgiveness Jesus has secured through His blood sacrifice (Hebrews 9:22), giving me the opportunity to live with the confidence that my sins have not condemned me.  Not only that, but I have hope, even when it seems there is none.  In Christ, the Conqueror, I can possess an optimistic expectation of what is to come.

When I taste and see that the Lord is good I will find true deliverance.

Abundance.  I often wonder what it would be like to grow up in a wealthy home, to have a father with power and influence, resources beyond comprehension, who loved me unconditionally and had the clout to pull strings to provide the best life has to offer.  Then I remember:  I do have a Father like that!

God is as fatherly as they come, doting on His children and lavishing them with gifts beyond compare (1 John 3:1, Matthew 7:9-11, Ephesians 1:3).  His brand of spoiling is best since He tempers it with discipline, giving me the best of both worlds.  I have all that I need and more, plus the benefit of a firm hand when necessary.  In this way I won't be ruined with getting things my way but am secure in His love as a legitimate child (Hebrews 12:7-8).

When I taste and see that the Lord is good I will discover His abundant gifts flowing throughout my life.

Redemption.  There's something special about the love of God.  He has this power to take that which was meant for my destruction, the very thing that was meant to bring me down, what was introduced into my life to hurt me, and transform it.  God's redemptive power is life-altering (Isaiah 61:3).  

Sin, which came into the world through the disobedience of one man, Adam, spread throughout all the earth, corrupting it and twisting it into something unrecognizable from it's original design.  Still, God is able to take me as a sinful being and redeem my life, transforming it from a downward spiral that ends in death to a beautiful journey that takes me to life eternal (Ephesians 1:8, John 3:16).  

Sin was supposed to be the end of all the good that God made, but God had a plan.  Through Jesus, He was able to buy it back with His blood, giving us the power to live as one who is righteous by faith and the hope of it all returning to it's pre-sin state when Jesus returns (Romans 3:22, Revelation 21) .  His resurrection is proof.  

Not only do I have this salvation from the punishment my sins earned me, but even the weakness of my sinful body can be used for good(Romans 6:13)!  How could anything decent or wholesome come from my heart that is corrupted by sin?  Through Christ, it is made new and I can fulfill the good plan He has for me (Ephesians 2:10)!

When I taste and see that the Lord is good I will know His redemptive power for myself.

It may be hard to believe without some kind of physical, tangible confirmation that God exists.  I can't see Him.  I can't touch Him.  I can't hear Him.  How do I know He's not some figment of my imagination?  If I take a risk and try Him out for myself, putting my full weight on Him and testing Him out, I'll find deliverance, abundance, and redemption.  It only takes a taste, and then there is no going back!

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can trust God enough to take Him at His word.

When do I demand physical evidence before I'll try God on for myself?

How has God changed my life in ways I can't otherwise explain? 

  

With the Enemy

"You prepare a table before me

in the presence of my enemies."

Psalm 23:5a

My idea of a perfect life would mean there was no resistance, no evil, no adversary.  In this ideal world, I'd be able to live as God meant for me to live without anyone to oppose me, tempt me, or trick me.  

While I may fantasize about such a place, it is not a part of reality.  In this world there is an Enemy who is out to steal, kill and destroy, and there is evil which is in direct opposition to God's plan.   As I live in this dark place under the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, these enemies actually serve a purpose in my life.  Even though I'd rather avoid them and wipe them out, God has something else in mind.

Faith.  It's only something I can talk about until it is tested.  I'll never know if it's real until I have to use it.  It stays as an idea in my head until I'm forced to put the concept into practice.  

Faith.  It's worth more than gold in God's economy.  And like gold, it must be purified.  The contaminants must be burned out by fire.  If the faith is real, it will survive the ordeals I'm faced with in life.  If it's not genuine, it will perish (1 Peter 1:6-7).

When I come face to face with an enemy, running into opposition as I go about my life, it's easy to doubt whether what I'm doing is important enough to put up with such difficulty.  I'm may be tempted to give in, letting my convictions go and living as if my choices don't matter.  Or, I can trust God in the plan He has for my life, believing it is good and that He will give me the strength to persevere.  

When I run into obstacles as I walk the path God has marked out for me, I may wonder if I've strayed away from God's will, mistakenly thinking He would only take me on a road that is free from difficulty or that He'd steer me around evil.  In reality, I must trust Him enough to feel comfortable even though there's darkness all around, believing God will protect me.  I'm in a war and must expect opposition, but I am under the protective wing of the Almighty no matter how bad things look.  My faith grows as I take a risk and believe in His ability to shelter me through the attacks.

My faith is tested and grown as I trust Him enough to go about my business in the presence of my enemies.

Reality.  We will be hunted down by those who think they're on God's side.  We'll be labeled as blasphemers, persecuted in many ways.  Our hearts will be grieved as those around us party like there's no tomorrow.  This is our time of grief, but joy will come.  

Jesus warned His disciples of what was to come, what has been experienced since the beginning of the Church and what we now see as 21st Century followers.  He had a purpose for revealing such realities, not just trying to scare us but to teach us of a truth.  "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.  In this world you will have trouble.  But take heart!  I have overcome the world."  (John 16:33)

Evil is a reality of living in this dark world that is ruled by a prince whose purpose is opposed to God's.  My battle as I live in such a wicked place is not against those I see, but versus the unseen powers of evil that are swirling around me in the heavenly realms (Ephesians 6:12).  They are hatching plans against me, dispatching troops to oppose me, and always thinking of ways to trip me up.  

Even though I face such insidious  and persistent evil, I am ruled by the Overcomer!  The power of Jesus is greater than any darkness I will come up against and He will not fail as my mighty Warrior.  Therefore, I can rest easy, knowing I am fighting on the winning side!

I must realize the reality of life in this world is that I will run into opposition, but He who is with me is greater than any foe I can face (Isaiah 54:17, 1 John 4:4).

Redemptive Power.  There seemed to be no hope.  Attacks were coming from all sides.  It looked like it may be the end.  Yet among the ruins, in the midst of the rubble, a tender shoot grew.  A flower flourished like a spot of beauty among the ashes.

This is a picture of God's redemptive power.  In the middle of attack, while withstanding blows from my enemies, I can gain sustenance, finding good in the midst of such evil.  Even more incredible is how God can transform that which was meant for my destruction, and go beyond merely protecting me from it, but actually using it for my good (Romans 8:28, Genesis 50:20).  In the hands of God, the most vile and dark act designed to be the end of me becomes the best thing that ever happened.

God can take the ugly and make it beautiful.  He can take that which was dead and breathe new life into it.  He is a God who gives strength to the weak, joy to the mourning, and praise in place of gloominess (Isaiah 61:3, Isaiah 40:29).  He is a redeeming God who is never without hope.  He is more than able to take that which the enemy meant for my destruction and use it as a tool of His redemptive power.

Even though it's easy to be intimidated by the opposition I face, nothing is so great that God is not greater still.

While I'd rather live my life free from trouble and foes, God has something else in mind.  He uses the opposition I face to grow my faith as I trust Him through the inevitable attacks, always transforming the outcome into something good.  In these ways, I can rest easy in the midst of my enemies, knowing that God has a plan through it all.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can trust God even though it seems things are hopeless.

When do I dread the darkness instead of trusting the God who is known for showing up at the darkest hour?

How do I despair when opposition comes, failing to recognize God's redemptive power which transforms the bad into something good?

My Redeemer Lives!

"But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives,

and he will stand upon the earth at last.

And after my body has decayed,

yet in my body I will see God!

I will see him for myself.

Yes, I will see him with my own eyes.

I am overwhelmed at the thought!"

Job 19:25-27

Job admitted the reality: He was suffering at the hand of God.  In His sovereignty, God allowed the worst to come upon him.  And if that weren't enough, his friends accused, blamed and condemned, adding to his pain.  This man was deeply hurting.

Yet, Job had hope.

Redemption.  In a culture dominated by men, women held little value on their own and were quite vulnerable without a male to look after them.  Apart from a father, brother, son or husband, she had little hope of survival.  Therefore, the widow living in a foreign land needed a kinsman redeemer to take she and her mother-in-law under his wing, vowing to protect and care for them (Ruth 3-4).

Boaz, a relative of the widow's late husband, agrees to buy back his land and marry his widow, Ruth.  In so doing, he saves the life of she and her mother-in-law, giving her a family and a chance to live a beautiful life.  In this selfless act, Boaz saved Ruth from a hopeless existence.  

Jesus has done the same for me.  In my sin, I am destined for an eternity away from the God who loves me (Romans 6:23a).  In my sin, I am bound to do what comes naturally, plaguing my life with guilt, pain and torment (Galatians 5:19-21, Romans 6:19-20).  Thus, God sent Jesus to become sin for me, dying the death I deserved so that I can live the life He meant for me but never could attain on my own (2 Corinthians 5:21, John 10:10b).  Now I am redeemed through faith in Jesus Christ!

Through faith in Jesus Christ, I have the same hope of redemption that Job had in the midst of his darkest times.

Reign.  The world is broken.  This present darkness is not how God created it to be.  Instead of abundance, there is a spirit of famine and deficiency.  While He meant for peace to rule, chaos does instead.  Where once goodness dwelled, now darkness overwhelms.  It's hard to live in such a fallen state.

Thankfully, this is not all there is (1 Corinthians 15:19).  As one who has put her trust in Jesus, I have much to look forward to.  One day, God will restore His creation to its former glory (Revelation 21:1-4)!  Since everything I often hold so dear will one day burn, what would I be wise to hold as valuable?  The temporal, material stuff that often draws my eye, or the eternal, spiritual gifts?  It is easy to get caught up in this world, but since all the physical things I see around me will pass away, I'd better hang on to that which lasts forever (2 Peter 3:10-13).  Let me be found as faithful to Him when that day comes.

Through faith in Jesus Christ, I have the same hope of Christ's reign on earth that Job had in the midst of his darkest times (Revelation 20:6).

Reunited.  Face to face. This describes the kind of relationship Moses enjoyed with God.  He interacted with God like He was a friend (Exodus 33:11). Moses felt pretty close to God and enjoyed an intimate relationship with him.  As a result, Moses wanted to see God in all His glory.  Even so, the Lord told him he "may not look directly at my face, for no one may see me and live." (Exodus 33:20)

Yet we have hope to one day see God through His Son, Jesus Christ, dwelling with Him forever (John 1:18, 14:1-4)!  As I enter into my eternal home, things will be as they should be, all suffering will be gone, death will be no more, and my tears will be wiped away by a God who is not far away but lives among His people (Revelation 21:3-4).  This can keep me going when life here is unbearable.

Through faith in Jesus Christ, I have the same hope of being reunited with the God who loves me that Job had in the midst of his darkest times.

I suffer much as I live in this fallen world.  When I'm facing hardship, I can hang onto the same hope Job clung to, that he would be redeemed, Christ would reign on earth, and he would then be reunited with the God who made it all possible.  In these ways I can say even in the darkest times, I know that my Redeemer lives, and what a difference that makes to me!

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can keep my eyes on Jesus, my only hope.

When do I fall into despair, thinking all hope is lost?

How am I clinging to fear instead of grabbing onto the hope I have in Christ?

Strength in His Joy

"Then Nehemiah the governor, 

Ezra the priest and scribe,

and the Levites 

who were interpreting for the people said to them, 

'Don't mourn or weep on such a day as this!

For today is a sacred day before the LORD your God.'

For the people had all been weeping 

as they listened to the words of the Law.

And Nehemiah continued,

'Go and celebrate with a feast of rich foods

and sweet drinks,

and share gifts of food 

with people who have nothing prepared.

This is a sacred day before our Lord.

Don't be dejected and sad,

for the joy of the LORD is your strength!'"

Nehemiah 8:9-10 NLT

It's easy to be overwhelmed by how far I fall short, or how many times I've failed, or how I can't seem to live the way I know God wants me to live.  Guilt weighs me down.  A shroud of shame hangs over me.  Self-condemnation holds me back.  My sin seems to define me.

Instead of mourning over my sin and letting it rule me, however, it is God's intention that I rejoice?  How?  By letting His joy be my strength!  And that joy is delivered through faith in Jesus Christ my Lord.

Forgiveness.  I'm guilty.  I can't deny my wrongdoing, defiance and self-centered ways.  There is no doubt I fall short of God's perfect standard (Romans 3:23).  Apart from Jesus, I'm doomed to bear the weight of God's righteous wrath as a result of my sin.  Through my Savior and Lord Jesus Christ, however, I have received God's forgiveness.  

In dying on the cross, Jesus satisfied God's sense of justness, taking the punishment meant for me because of my sin. While God cannot simply give mercy, the blood sacrifice of Jesus released God's forgiveness into my life (Hebrews 9:22).  In the words of the prophet Isaiah, "Though (my) sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool." (Isaiah 1:18)

I am not destined to bear the weight of the punishment my sins deserve.  I can rejoice!

Redemption.  I am a slave.  I cannot help but do wrong.  No matter how hard I try, I simply cannot live a sin-free life (Romans 7:21-23).  I am bound to sin as much as a prisoner is confined to his jail cell.  To make matters worse, this sin which comes so naturally has earned me a death sentence (Romans 6:23a).  Who will free me from such hopelessness?

Jesus Christ my Lord (Romans 7:24-25)!  In taking my punishment on the cross and meeting God's holy and just requirement for my sin, Jesus bought me back from death (Romans 3:23-24).  He freed me from the inevitability of living a life of sin.  He released me from the bond sin had over me.

Because He paid such a hefty price in exchange for my freedom, I can offer myself as an instrument of righteousness (Romans 6:13).  This very flesh that used to be all about self-gratification and doing what comes naturally, now is a holy vessel that holds the very Spirit of God (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). I am not fated to live the life I've always lived.  Now there is a new way (2 Corinthians 5:17).  I am redeemed!

I am not destined to live a life of sin nor reap the punishment my sins deserve.  I can rejoice!

Restoration.  How could a good God let this happen?  Why is there so much suffering in this world?  Where is God?  These are common questions with which most of us have grappled.  The truth I have come to realize is that God is not the author of evil nor does He approve of such wickedness.  In a fallen world where free will exists, however, we all suffer from the consequences of sin.  We all recognize the darkness.  We shudder at the evil all around us.

Darkness is simply the absence of light.  Therefore, the evil for which I lash out at God, blaming Him for what man and Satan have done, is really just a result of all that He isn't.  In other words, none of this suffering would have taken place if things remained as He created them.  It was never His intention for darkness to enter into His creation.  Sin, rebellion and disobedience corrupted His plan.  Corrupted but did not destroy.

Every ugly thing in this world is from the darkness.  All the good is from the Light (James 1:17).  My sin separates me from such a holy God as this, keeping me from His goodness.  What kind of life am I destined to live, then, apart from Jesus?  A life marked my deep suffering and ugliness.  A life of chaos and hopelessness.  A life ruled by pain.

In Jesus, however, my outlook is much brighter.  While there is much to lament in this world, I do have reason to rejoice.  Despite my sin, notwithstanding my disobedience, even though I fail miserably, I am still a child of God (1 John 3:1).  My place in His family has been restored through faith in Jesus Christ.  My position as His beloved daughter is secure because of what Jesus has done.  I am not doomed to live in the darkness I taste in this world.

I am not destined to be eternally separated from the God who loves me.  I can rejoice!

There is much in this life over which I can despair.  It seems there is no hope as I consider my guilt, my inability to live a righteous life, and the darkness which bears down on me.  In such an atmosphere, how can I carry on?  Through Jesus!  In Christ I have the atonement of my sins, His redemption offered freely, and restoration with the holy God who loves me perfectly.  The joy of the Lord is my strength through faith in Jesus Christ!

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can walk confidently forward as a well-loved child of God.

When do I despair, as if I have no hope?

How do I give in to sin, forgetting of the power Jesus has given me over it?  

His Little is Great

"Then King David went in and sat before the LORD

and said, 'who am I, O LORD God,

and what is my house,

that you have brought me thus far?

And this was a small thing in your eyes, O God.'"

1 Chronicles 17:16-17a ESV

Think of the greatest feat God performed in your life: the deed that touched your heart most deeply.  Now take that hilltop, pivotal experience and realize that it was a small thing to our big God!

This is the sentiment David is expressing to God in this beautiful prayer in response to God's covenantal promise:  I cannot fathom the blessing You have granted me, little, unworthy me, yet this is nothing compared to Your greatest potential!

I often limit God, expecting little and daring to hope for even less.  What would happen if I let God be God?  Even His little is great to me!

Redemption.  My outlook was grim, even hopeless.  My sin sent me to death row as a holy God gave me what I deserved.  I was lost indeed.

Then came a Savior who was willing to take my place in death.  Sinless though He was, He stepped into my shoes, accepting the punishment a holy God required for my transgressions and willingly died in my place.  Due to His unspeakable sacrifice, I am brought back from the brink of Hell, given a new life and a new hope, and granted the forgiveness from a righteous God that I was unable to secure on my own.

As remarkable as the gift is, this redemption purchased by the costly blood of Jesus did so much more.  It took my broken life and transformed it into a complete one.  It cast away the ruins of my life and fashioned from it wholeness (Isaiah 61:1-3).  From nothing, His blood bought me more than I could ever imagine, making me into the woman God originally created me to be.

Since I've been bought at such a price, may I live like I'm precious (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).  And like I'm forgiven.

Despite the fact that this redemption means everything to me, it is a little thing to my great God.

Security.  Hardship.  Failure.  Difficulty.  Relapse.  Unfaithfulness.  Depression.  There are many things in this life that make me feel unlovable, unworthy, as one who is cast into the trash heap.  No matter what I go through, how much heartache I experience, or how many times I fall, there is nothing that will make God stop loving me (Romans 8:38-39).  I am secure in His love.  My place in His family, as His precious child, will never be taken away.

Once I truly realize this truth, I will be able to live in the security of His love.  Fear will be a distant memory as I accept my permanent place in His good graces, able to boldly approach His throne at any time to receive that grace that is so necessary (Romans 8:1,1 John 4:18, Hebrews 4:16).  Doubt will melt away as I truly understand the mercy and grace offered freely, independent of my effort or own worthiness but completely based on Christ's work on the cross.  Insecurity will be a thing of my past as I embrace God's view of me as His holy and precious child.

Even though I cannot fathom such a miracle as is my inclusion in the family of God, it is a little thing to my great God.

Manifestation.  David really understood the concept of acceptance.  He acknowledged his own unworthiness, realized the magnitude of the blessings God had promised, and fully embraced what God was standing ready to pour into His life.

If only I could always do the same.  Often I look at my circumstances and doubt the promises of God.  Even though He said He would give me more than I could ask or imagine, I expect little because it is all I've ever seen.  In other words, I am unwilling to accept God's best for me because I can't picture it or I have a hard time believing He would do such amazing things for little ole' me.  

David was willing to receive God's covenantal promises because he understood the good gifts the Lord was ready to give were based on God's goodness, not on David's.  He embraced the fact that he was a crumb, but God was a gracious, loving God who delights in blessing the lowly.  David was only able to open his hands to get what God had promised because He realized it's a part of who God is.  He wants to give good things to His children (Luke 11:13).

God has promised much to me and He is good for it, faithful to deliver.  The only variable, then, is my own faith.  Do I believe He will give me what He has said He will?  His constant presence?  Forgiveness?  An abundant life?  Faithful provision?  It is entirely up to me;  God is waiting to give!

The abundance of goodness God is waiting to pour into my life upon my willingness to receive is miraculous considering my track record, but still a little thing to my great God.

If the redemption found in Christ, my subsequent security in His family, and the manifestation of God's promises in my life are little things to my great God, what more can I expect?  He is a great God who I often limit.  It is my intention to stop binding His power in my life and let Him be who He is:  a majestic, limitless yet loving Father.   Even His little is great.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can trust God enough to give me whatever He has set aside for me.

When am I afraid to receive God's blessings, wondering if there are any strings attached?

How am I willing to give but not receive?