Psalm 139:1-5 NLT
(My sister, Michelle, wrote this one.)
(My sister, Michelle, wrote this one.)
I remember the days when the first verse of this Psalm scared me to death because I was walking the wrong path. Our upbringing taught us only of a God ready to send us straight to hell if we messed up; do not pass go, do not collect $200. Our generation was brought up getting "the hell" literally scared out of us; the next generation got to live in the luxury of "the grace" teaching which was definitely more about the love of God and not His judgment. However, God is both Judge and justice, and so much more - Grace, Mercy and Love.
If you believe the Word of God, it tells us that God cannot lie, and if we believe the Word, we have to believe all of it. We don't get to just pick the Scripture passages that we like. The same Bible that teaches God is love also teaches us that The Lord shall judge his people. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. (Hebrews 10: 30b-31).
Because I was so scared of God for the majority of my life, I never felt loved by Him. I know I have a long way to go in that area but I at least know now that I AM loved by God. Regardless of what I have done, regardless of what I will do in the future that may not please Him, He loves me... and He loves you!
I wish I hadn't wasted so many years not having that knowledge. I am positive if I stood in front of a roomful of people with their heads bowed and eyes closed, and asked how many truly believe that God loves them - no matter what they had done in their life - very few people would raise their hands. That's the lie the devil perpetuates when we are young and unfortunately, we believe it for a very long time.
If you believe the Word of God, it tells us that God cannot lie, and if we believe the Word, we have to believe all of it. We don't get to just pick the Scripture passages that we like. The same Bible that teaches God is love also teaches us that The Lord shall judge his people. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. (Hebrews 10: 30b-31).
Because I was so scared of God for the majority of my life, I never felt loved by Him. I know I have a long way to go in that area but I at least know now that I AM loved by God. Regardless of what I have done, regardless of what I will do in the future that may not please Him, He loves me... and He loves you!
I wish I hadn't wasted so many years not having that knowledge. I am positive if I stood in front of a roomful of people with their heads bowed and eyes closed, and asked how many truly believe that God loves them - no matter what they had done in their life - very few people would raise their hands. That's the lie the devil perpetuates when we are young and unfortunately, we believe it for a very long time.
It wasn't until I learned to rest in His presence that I could feel His love. It's how we learn about our other friends, right? Spending time with them? So let us spend time in His presence and get to know this God of love. He is, after all, Immanuel, God with us.
Prayer:
Father,
Forgive us for judging You with lies the enemy has sold us. Shine Your Light of Truth on Your Word and reveal it to us in such a way that we'll be holy and acceptable in Your sight. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen
Prayer:
Father,
Forgive us for judging You with lies the enemy has sold us. Shine Your Light of Truth on Your Word and reveal it to us in such a way that we'll be holy and acceptable in Your sight. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen
No comments:
Post a Comment