Devotionals are great tools for the Christian. They help us focus, inspire, encourage, correct and direct. They can be the impetus for prayer, for change, for deepening our relationship with Jesus. They are great for the days we have only a few moments before the chaos starts. Devotionals can be the catalyst to prayerful communion with our Father, awakening thoughts and ideas that may never have occurred to us had we not spent these directed moments with Him. Most of us have access to or physically own a myriad of devotional books or booklets. Yaay! The ladies received a new devotional booklet at church on Mother's Day and I'm already reaping the benefits of this little gem. It's called "Forgiven and Free," and it's published by and organization called CTA.
Psalm 103:12 As far as the east is from the west, so far does He remove our transgressions from us. That was the verse that spurred the question given in the book, "How would it free your heart to know for sure that you are included in the our and us of Psalm 103:12. This was the jumping off point for my communication with the Lord a couple of days ago and it brought me to an all too familiar place of direction and correction that I needed this week.
Intellectually I know this verse to be truth. My heart sometimes is a different matter. It's like I know I'm forgiven. I know I'm included but I still feel so wretched and unworthy of being a child of God. I can't separate my "who from my do." I know I'm in Christ, but I can't feel or see myself there. I make my sin bigger than God's truth.
And so as I prayed over this verse, the Lord brought me through a series of verses reminding me of His thoughts and outlook on what He calls "my unbelief."
Psalm 78:21 When the Lord heard them He was furious. The fire of His wrath burned against Jacob. Yes, His anger rose against Israel, for they did not believe God or trust His care for them. Ouch! That is not how I want to be seen in my Father's eyes.
Hebrews 3:7-8 Today, when you hear His voice, don't harden your hearts as Israel did when they rebelled, when they tested me in the wilderness.
Hebrews 3:12 Be careful then, dear brothers and sisters. Make sure your own hearts are not evil and unbelieving, turning you away from the living God.
Hebrews 4:3a For only we who believe can enter this rest.
Okay then. There we are. Stop being an unbeliever! Do I trust the Lord's forgiveness or not? Do I trust His care or not? Why can't I just rest in this truth? Think of the peace and the joy we forfeit! Not to mention the insult to our Savior who was tortured and killed to bring us into a place of reconciliation and redemption. Wow, do I really want to be this insulting? The answer to that rhetorical question would be a resounding "NO!"
It is time to stop making my sin and wretchedness bigger than God. The last verse I was given during this time of prayer and fellowship with my Father: Hebrews 4:16 Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Ahhh, the Lord brings correction, then applies the soothing balm that heals. What a beautiful Savior!
The Lord wants us to come before Him in humble confidence. Sounds like an oxymoron, right? But when our confidence is in Jesus and not in ourselves we can boldly run to our Father with joy, with love and with faith, knowing that we are accepted and treasured.
Lord, with all my heart I ask forgiveness for once again making my sin, myself bigger than You. I ask forgiveness for not trusting Your care and Your Word. Create in me a clean heart. Cleanse me from all my transgressions. And thank You for Your faithfulness. Lord, increase our ability to accept Your Word as truth, not just in our heads but in our hearts. We fall upon our knees at Your throne, filled with gratitude and love. Hallelujah!!! As far as the east is from the west, we are forgiven and are free to live the abundant life You have for us. Let us bring You glory and shout it from the rooftops! We are Your forgiven and much loved children! In Jesus' saving Name. Amen!!
Be a believer! And break out a new or long forgotten devotional today.
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