At His Mercy

"If it's a question of strength, he's the strong one.

If it's a matter of justice, who dares to summon him to court?

Though I am innocent, 

my own mouth would pronounce me guilty.

Though I am blameless, it would prove me wicked."

Job 9:19-20 NLT

Who can stand before God?  Who is His match?  Can anyone claim righteousness?

Job knew.  He understood that even though He feared God and took Him seriously, his best was no match for God's holy standard.  It overwhelmed him, driving him to the depths of despair. Who can stand before Him (Psalm 143:2).  Is there any hope?

Even though Job couldn't see it, God was at work on his behalf, and while it feels scary to be at the mercy of such a powerful, sovereign and holy God, it's right where we want to be.  How do I know this?  Because of Jesus.

My High Priest.  Only the high priest could enter into the Holy of Holies once a year and sprinkle the blood from the sin offering on the mercy seat (Leviticus 16).  In this way, atonement for the sins of the nation of Israel was made.

Jesus, using His own blood from His own sacrifice, stands before God as my own High Priest.  He secured my atonement through the sprinkling of His blood on the cross, unleashing the forgiveness of God, for God cannot extend grace and mercy without a blood sacrifice (Hebrews 9:22, Leviticus 17:11).

This means that without Jesus I have no hope of being reconciled with such a righteous, holy God.  I can never be good enough and no matter how hard I try, I can't reach His standards (Romans 3:23).  Even though God is loving, gracious and merciful, He cannot ignore or deny His righteous, just and pure character.  Simply put, He needs a blood sacrifice to atone or offer redemption for my sins.  Jesus, through His death and resurrection, offers absolution from my sins and entrance into the presence of a holy God who loves me lavishly (Hebrews 4:14-16).

I am entirely without defense before an impossibly perfect God, but Jesus serves as my High Priest, giving me free access to His rich storehouses of mercy and grace.

My Redeemer.  Job lived righteously.  Isaiah was willing.  David loved God freely.  You'd think these pillars of faith would have reason to stand boldly before the God they served, yet each were painfully aware of their sin when in His presence (Job 1:1,Isaiah 6:6, Psalm 51:3-5).  

Coming before God makes me all the more aware of how far I fall short and how offensive are my ways to Him.  In comparison to His perfection, my sin feels even more dirty and shameful.  

Jesus, using His own blood as a cleansing agent, washed away my sins, making me to appear before God as white as snow (Isaiah 1:18).  Even though my sins are highly offensive to God, the blood of Jesus completely covers them, delivering to me the righteousness of Christ as my own (Philippians 3:9, 2 Corinthians 5:21).  This is not to say I am now declared perfect, for I still dwell in this sinful nature in a fallen world, yet God no longer sees my sin but only the perfect blood of His Son.

I am entirely without defense before an impossibly perfect God, but Jesus serves as my Redeemer, giving me a righteousness I otherwise would never attain.

My Source.  It seems I have to try really hard to do good things for God.  I often believe I must know all the answers to give an explanation for the hope I have (1 Peter 3:15).  If I want to make a difference for Christ in this world, I have to work hard.  Right?

Wrong.  Jesus is my source.  It is only when connected to Him that I will be able to do anything of eternal value (John 15:5).  He is the One who transforms me and works through me, enabling me to speak truth, extend love, and share grace(1 Corinthians 15:10).  It is He that finishes what He started (Isaiah 55:11, Philippians 1:6). I am simply a conduit of His grace.

I am entirely without defense before an impossibly perfect God, but Jesus serves as my Source, giving me all that I need to live for Him.

It is overwhelming to realize my spiritual bankruptcy before a God who has very high expectations.  In the face of such perfection, I see how unrighteous I truly am.  Thankfully, there's Jesus.  Through Christ I have a High Priest who makes atonement for me with His blood, a Redeemer who cleanses me and presents me as holy and righteous before God, and a Source who delivers all that I need to live a life pleasing to God.  Even though I am at the mercy of God, I need not fall into despair because great is His mercy through Christ!

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can always stay connected to the Source.

When do I go it alone?

How am I sometimes desperate to impress God with my efforts?

Worthy Lamb

"And they sang a new song with these words:

'You are worthy to take the scroll

and break its seals and open it.

For you were slaughtered,

and your blood has ransomed people for God

from every tribe and language and people and nation.

And you have caused them to become

a Kingdom of priests for our God.

and they will reign on the earth.'"

Revelation 5:9-10 NLT

Savior?  Teacher? Friend?  Who is Jesus to me?

The disciples each had their own idea of who Jesus was.  They spent time with Him and saw His goodness, wisdom and loving kindness, but they didn't always understand His true nature.

While walking to another location one day, Jesus asked His followers what others say about Him.  Then He asked, "'But who do you say I am?' Peter replied, 'You are the Messiah.'" (Mark 8:29)  So Peter understood He was the One prophesied about in Scripture, but there was so much more that the man didn't get.

Challenging those around Him, Jesus explained that soon He would give His life and if they really wanted to be His disciples, they must do the same.  (Mark 8:31-38)  Peter freaked out, telling Jesus that He shouldn't talk that way.  Dying a sacrificial death, however, was the purpose for which Jesus entered into the realm of man.

In order to put Jesus in His proper place as Lord, Redeemer and High Priest, I must realize He is more than just a Savior.  He is the only One who is worthy to open the seals that unleash God's righteous judgment on the world.  (Revelation 5:5)  Why is that and what does it mean to me?

Slain

When I think of someone who will save the world, I picture a superhero of sorts who will overpower the enemies of mankind with sheer power.  Swooping in to save the day at just the right time, he will vanquish the foe with one swing of his mighty sword.

Instead of living up to my fantasies, however, Jesus saved the world in quiet submission as a lamb led to the slaughter.  His perfect sacrifice on the cross did more to free the world from the oppressiveness of sin and death than any other act ever committed in all of history.  He set me free from the burden of my own transgressions, removing not only the stain of sin but my rightful punishment for it as well.

While Jesus put Himself into the hands of the unrighteous, innocent as a dove, He returns as a Lion, glorious in His victory. (1 Corinthians 15:55-57)  As a sinner who He has reconciled with a holy God, I now walk as a conqueror and overcomer.  (Romans 8:37)

Therefore, I have the power to walk free from the power of my sinful nature.  While I used to respond to ill-treatment with more of the same, I now experience a surge of compassion toward those who live a bitter life.  It used to be so common to want nothing more than what was good for me, but now I sense a desire to seek what is best for others.  If you could examine my heart in the past you would find a list of all the ways that I've been wronged, but now all you will discover is the love of God.

When I realize Jesus is the lamb that was slain, I can likewise give my life in submission to my heavenly Father's transforming work.

Blood Purchase

We have some friends who had to raise thousands of dollars in order to adopt some children from China.  Just last week, they finally brought the little girl and boy home to join their new big brother who showed them the ropes of living in America.  While adopting orphans is quite costly, it pales in comparison to the price that was paid for my life.

When Jesus gave His life on a Roman cross, He paid the price that purchased His own for God's own.  (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)  Now I do not belong to myself to do with as I please, but I am God's precious possession created to do the things He prepared in advance for me to do.  (Ephesians 2:10)

God secured my salvation with the blood of His only Son so that I can live for Him.  Instead, I often live for my own selfish desires, stubbornly insisting on seeing things from my point of view and taking more than I give.  In short, I live as if God were not my adoptive Father.  (1 John 3:1-10)

When I realize Jesus secured my purchase for His Father with His blood, then I can start to live the life He has prepared for me to live.

Kingdom of Priests

There was a dark period in the history of the western world when Catholic priests gained political power.  As a result, their judgment was corrupted as they sought more and more control from the rightful king.  The usual role of a priest to serve and love was corrupted, transforming these leaders into evil tyrants bent on lording their illicit authority over all.

While I may not face an overbearing Pope who wants nothing more than to take power that does not belong to him, I do have a High Priest in Jesus Christ who not only serves as the final, perfect sacrifice that bought me passage into the holy presence of God, but also reigns as the King of all kings.  (Hebrews 4:14-16, Revelation 19:16)

Jesus is both Priest and King who serves and reigns.  Therefore, I can trust Him with my deepest fears, my greatest struggles and my most impossible obstacles.  He has both the compassion and the power to fill all my needs.  Jesus is my one-stop shopping destination for grace and might.

When I realize Jesus serves as both Priest and King, then I can live as His beloved, trusting Him to present me before God as holy and pure while allowing Him to fight my battles for me.

Jesus is more than just a wise Teacher, courageous Savior and loyal Friend.  Instead, I know Him as my Lord, Redeemer and both High Priest and King.  In my heart, He is therefore a worthy Lamb and I live to bring Him honor and glory!

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can remember Jesus' real identity.

How am I living as a free agent instead of a member of God's team?

When do I approach God warily, as if I don't belong?