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?

One Desire

"Then I realized that my heart was bitter,

and I was all torn up inside.

I was so foolish and ignorant--

I must have seemed like a senseless animal to you.

Yet I still belong to you;

you hold my right hand.

You guide me with your counsel,

leading me to a glorious destiny.

Whom have I in heaven but you?

I desire you more than anything on earth.

My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak,

but God remains the strength of my heart;

he is mine forever."

Psalm 73:21-26 NLT

I look at those who are lost, who are following their own way and it seems they have it so good.  Riches.  Success.  Adventure.  Lives of leisure.  It's easy for me to wonder why I stay on the narrow path, struggling through life.  I have none of the above as far as I can see.  God always provides what I need but there is never an abundance of money.  I wonder why my business endeavors don't flourish like what I see in the world.  My life is filled with all kinds of challenges and there is always so much work to be done.  It's natural to think that following Jesus is not all it's cracked up to be.

Then I notice what's going on in the Body of Christ.  Some are facing cancer.  Others bankruptcy and foreclosures.  A few endure the end of their marriages.  The atmosphere is rife with suffering.  What is the benefit of following Jesus?  Is this the abundant life He came to deliver?

In the same way the psalmist came to his senses, I must change my perspective and stop looking at this life through the lens of the world.  When I focus my attention on my greatest Treasure, my One True Desire, the Lord reminds me of the true riches I have in this life.

Security.  I remember watching a popular morning talk show where the host would often talk about a childhood memory of his mom fretting that they would end up in the poor house.  The man shared of his resulting worry that his family was always on the edge of losing their home and that the slightest sign of trouble would send them into oblivion, never to be together or happy again.

Children have a strong need to feel secure in their position, knowing that when they wake up tomorrow, their parents will still be there, taking care of their needs.  The same is true for me as God's precious child.  If I'm always worried that He might kick me to the curb, rejecting me from His kingdom, I will live with that nagging fear coloring my every waking moment (1 John 4:18) 

Thankfully, the blood of Jesus has made my place in the family of God secure.  As a result of what Jesus has done for me in dying on the cross, there is nothing I can do, or experience, or fail to do, that will make God stop loving me! (Romans 8:38-39) 

He is the perfect Father who will never grow tired of waiting for me to learn His lessons, or become impatient with my fears, or get sick of my wayward ways (Isaiah 40:28). His love constantly draws me toward Him and He is never repelled by the darkness of my heart.  Instead of being repulsed by my sinful state, Jesus' sacrifice makes it possible for my Father of compassion to go toward the suffering, comforting me like no one else can (2 Corinthians 1:3-5).

Even though it seems like those on the wide path of destruction live free from hardship, I have the advantage of security in God's kingdom through faith in Jesus Christ.  

Direction.  One of the most confusing times in life can be high school graduation.  What do you want to do with your life?  Where will you go now?  How will you use what you've learned to make something with your life?  It's easy to feel overwhelmed and confused.

Many times, I make poor decisions in order to avoid sitting stagnate, not moving forward when I get the feeling I should be driving on.  Unfortunately, the One who holds the blueprint for each life is often ignored (Jeremiah 29:11-13). If I were to consult the Lord, asking Him for wisdom in each situation I face, He would never disappoint (James 1:5-8).

As a follower of Christ, I have the benefit of a Good Shepherd who is always at work, guiding me with His wise counsel (Psalm 23:1-3).  While those in the world are forced to try to figure life out on their own, I can let the One who knit me together and recorded all my days in a book lead me where He means for me to go (Psalm 139:13-16).  I must never fail to realize such a benefit!

Even though it seems like those on the wide path of destruction have it made, I have the advantage of divine direction through faith in Jesus Christ.

Future.  The stock market crashed.  A man was the sole survivor in an accidnet that took his family from him.  The hurricane wiped out an entire community.  These are the times when people fall into despair, wondering what kind of hope they have in the face of such destruction.  

If this life was all there was, I would feel just as despondent, especially when going through hard times.  As a child of God through faith in Jesus Christ, however, I have so much to look forward to!  Not only is Jesus preparing a special place specifically for me in my Father's house, but I will receive a new body that is free from defects and will last forever (John 14:1-4, 2 Corinthians 5:1-4).  To make it even better, heaven will be free from suffering and difficulties, a place filled with joy and lit by the glory of God (Revelation 21:3-4, 11, 23,).

Even though it seems like those on the wide path of destruction live the sweet life now, I have the advantage of retaining hope for my glorious future, especially during the darkest times.

It's easy to get off track, turning my attention toward the seemingly good life lived by those in the world.  Once I come to my senses, however, I realize the benefits I possess as a follower of Christ.  I have security in my place in God's family, direction for my life, and a future that gives me hope.  It is then that I remember that God is my One Desire, my True Treasure!

As I begin this day may I keep my eyes focused on the Treasure I do possess instead of all the things I think I need but don't have.

When is it hard for me to keep from lusting after the things of this world?

How would keeping an eternal perspective change my outlook on life?