Rejection/Acceptance; God is smiling!
For as long as I can remember I have struggles with rejection issues. I have always battled feelings that God, while He may love me because that is who He is and what He does, really doesn't nor couldn't like me all that much. But patient as He is, He continues to encourage me, and reassure me of His acceptance and approval.
A few years ago, He reminded me that all this is based on Jesus and not on myself. And that it was actually sin for me to doubt this love and acceptance of His. That being said, I still have to be reminded of this lesson on a regular basis. And I am truly grateful for His long-suffering in this area with me.
This week was no exception. I have this kinda performance mentality, you know how we think when things are hard or going wrong then I must be displeasing God in some way. He's sending those lightening bolts again!! But God had other ideas for my thinking and He came with a series of visits with His reassurance again !!
So here is the list and the order in which they came.
1) A couple of days ago, I went to my index card file and the one for the day was "And this is my beloved daughter in whom I am well pleased." This is based on Matt 3:17. I once read that since we are in Jesus, and when the Father pronounced this over Him, He was also pronouncing it over us. He sees us in Jesus.
2) Yesterday's "31 Days of Praise" was all about my robe of righteousness, given to me by the Lord. The Scripture verse being Isaiah 61:10 I am overwhelmed with joy in the Lord my God! For He has dressed me in the clothing of salvation and draped me in a robe of righteousness. I am like a bridegroom in his wedding suit or a bride with her jewels.
3) And from "Enjoying the Closeness of God" (Roger C. Palms) I was up to the chapter on....God smiling ! In it spoke of the fact that many people, because they have trials and troubles think that God is not "smiling" on them. But the author reminded us that Jesus Himself went through much suffering and God was certainly pleased with Him. In fact, Isaiah 53:3 calls Jesus, "a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief". The absence or presence of tribulation is by no means an indicator of God's pleasure with us.
4) My book mark was on a page it shouldn't have been in "31 Days of Praise" (Ruth and Warren Meyers). But of course it was exactly where God wanted it. The big, bold Scripture verse taking up most of the page where my book mark lay was: Ps. 103:10-13 He does not punish us for all our sins, He does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve. For His unfailing love for those who fear Him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth. He has removed our sins as far from as us as the east is from the west. The Lord is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear Him.
5) And then back to today's reading from "31 Days of Praise" "You accepted me in Your beloved Son, welcoming me into the everlasting love you have for Him...and now as Your child, You take me into Your arms and tell me that You love me." I can say this myself, making these words my own, because my heavenly Father is doing just that right now. There is even a beautiful poem included in the reading adapted from "A Mind at Perfect Peace" by Catesby Pagent.
Near, so very near to You
Nearer I could not be,
For in the Person of Your Son
I'm just as near as He!
Dear, so very dear to You,
I could not dearer be;
The love wherewith You loved
Your Son,
Such is Your love for me!
I thank the Lord for His infinite patience with me. And I am so grateful for His love. Time and time again He holds me, whispering His love toward me, His unsure child. Tender and compassionate, loving and merciful. What an awesome God we serve. He loves me. He accepts me and smiles at me. And He is smiling at you as well dear reader. He knows we are not perfect, will make mistakes and missteps. But that doesn't change Him and the way He looks at us. And His love does not depend on us.
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