Good Morning! I have been off for the last couple of days, enjoying time with my oldest son and consequently, my youngest son as well! Having the extra time in the morning has been wonderful as it allows me more time to let the Word of God "steep". I was reading this morning in the book of Isaiah and am not only encouraged, but the Lord is speaking something far deeper than encouragement today. Forgive me while I listen to the Holy Spirit and write at the same time!
As I read Is. 54 there are so many things I can relate to my own life and the lives and situations of friends as I pray for them, but one thing in particular stood out to me today that I never really noticed before. Vs. 17 (a very familiar and quoted verse) But no weapon formed against you shall prosper, ( usually where we stop) and every tongue that shall rise against you in judgement you shall show to be in the wrong. This (peace, righteousness, security, triumph over opposition) is the heritage of the servants of the Lord: this is the righteousness or vindication which they obtain from Me (this is that which I impart to them as their justification), says the Lord. (Amplified)
I never saw that before. I believed this verse as a promise, but never realized it as an impartation. Not that a promise of God is a small thing; that is not what I mean at all. This is part of what becomes ours at salvation! This is, therefore, foundational. This is a building block. So why am I just seeing this now... Its not that I did not know we had access to peace, or security or triumph over opposition; I simply did not know that they were imparted to me along with justification! Translated, that means they were things I strived for--I told you, I am a recovering perfectionist!
There are, lets face it, things that we believe, that we simply and completely acknowledge and take hold of by FAITH and faith alone. I cannot understand or comprehend (nor do I think anyone can) Justification. It is only through faith and by faith that we are justified. Its a mystery, but one that I accept gratefully and without question. I think the "without question" is the key to what I am getting at today. I did not receive the things in verse 17 without question or as part of justification. I simply did not get the memo that they were a package deal!
Maybe I'm a little nuts, (OK, I am) but this changes things for me. Somehow knowing that this is part of the unexplained, unfathomable gift of God, allows me to accept it and to walk with my head held high. Its not psycho-babble; when you OWN something, deep in your soul, you can walk in it, in Confidence. I do not doubt my salvation, but I had a very difficult time for many years believing and walking in God's love for me. My own insecurity and having never been loved without conditions before, made it difficult for me to grasp God's love ( and I don't think we ever will fully understand it).
There should be a book about what is ours (our heritage) in Christ. Who knows, maybe I'll write it!! It would certainly help someone like me! I am okay with the mysteries of God, I accept them. I struggle with the things that are vague or the things in the Word that say "if you do..." I struggle with them, because I know I could never be (on my own) "good enough" to claim them for myself. Claiming them, as part of my heritage in Christ, is a whole other story. Maybe that's it--taking myself out of the equation...
Father I thank you for revealing more of Yourself to me today. Help me to discern and walk in the fullness of Your grace today and every day and help me to extend Your grace to others. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen
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