I am having a good reminder this week of how we don't deserve any of the blessings we have or receive- but our Father longs to give good gifts to His children (Luke 11:13) - He longs to be gracious to us (Isaiah 30:18). In fact, I've got to show you the whole context of that verse:
"18Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you;
he rises to show you compassion.
For the LORD is a God of justice.
Blessed are all who wait for him!
19 O people of Zion, who live in Jerusalem, you will weep no more. How gracious he will be when you cry for help! As soon as he hears, he will answer you. 20 Although the Lord gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, your teachers will be hidden no more; with your own eyes you will see them. 21 Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it." 22 Then you will defile your idols overlaid with silver and your images covered with gold; you will throw them away like a menstrual cloth and say to them, "Away with you!"
It's always a bit of a surprise when Scripture is so graphic- but- you understand the point, right? Menstrual cloths or idols are not something you want to keep around. I am brought to the realization time and again, that the pet sins I let lurk around become idols-detestable to the Lord. I turn to them to get through the tough part of the day- I allow them to be my comfort, my escape. But, they need to by defiled and THROWN AWAY! And, Lord- may they become as detestable to ME as they are to you!
I am being blessed this week, with something I desperately need, but do NOT deserve. I have not earned it. I could only have dreamed of it. It reminds me of the verse from Romans 2:4, "Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God's kindness leads you toward repentance?" His kindness to me this week, is leading me to repentance for being stuck- for allowing myself to live the UNinspired life for the last couple months. For allowing pet sins to hang around like a STENCH. But, I feel the cool breeze of renewal blowing. I hope that somehow this can be a reminder to you as well- that whether life is good or life is bad- it's not because we've earned it or deserve it. Well, sometimes bad choices do equal bad consequences- yes, from my gluttony I have put back on the few pounds I lost last year- that's a consequence- a direct result of MY actions. But what I mean is- we didn't earn the snowstorm, or our kids being sick. And, where ever we are... our Lord longs to be gracious to us. Take a moment, to ask Him to show you how He is being gracious to you- how He wants to give you more of His gift of the Holy Spirit- how He is being compassionate to you. He will. And allow His showing you, to woo you out the lull and slumber of a spiritual winter- if you're there- and feel the excitement and renewal of spring. If you need a way, like me, to show Him your gratitude, check out the song "I'm amazed by you" in the playlist on the right side of this page. It's a great song to worship Him with. Blessings, friends!
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