The old prophet told a horrible tale about a baby, despised
at birth, left to die in a vacant lot, who was rescued and raised to become a
woman of beauty. Her husband provided lavishly for her - "I dressed you in a colorful gown and put leather sandals on your
feet. … You were provided with everything precious and beautiful: with
exquisite clothes and elegant food, garnished with honey and oil. You were
absolutely stunning. You were a queen! You became world-famous, a legendary beauty
brought to perfection by my adornments." (Ezekiel 16:10-14, The
Message) Despite being given all she could desire, she became promiscuous,
giving herself and her honor away. Her sin led to her complete destruction and
yet her husband did not ultimately reject her! You can read the entire allegory,
which is graphic and stunning, in Ezekiel 15.
Who is Ezekiel describing? The city of Jerusalem, the people
of God. They were beloved, yet they took other gods, rejected the Lord, and threw
away their honor! Still, God pursues His people and the story closes with a
promise of renewed love! "Yet I will
remember the covenant I made with you when you were young, and I will establish
an everlasting covenant with you. Then you will remember with shame all the
evil you have done. … I will reaffirm my covenant with you, and you will know
that I am the Lord. You will remember your sins and cover your mouth in silent
shame when I forgive you of all that you have done. I, the Sovereign Lord, have
spoken!” (Ezekiel 16:60-63, NLT)
You may be wondering if that old story has anything to do
with you or me, at all? Yes, it does! We are created to be
His own, made to love Him and enjoy His favor. Like Jerusalem of old, the
Church is called “God’s wife.” We, individually, are promised to Him in love.
Tragically, in spite of all of His goodness, so many chase after lesser gods
and give themselves to sin. Our wandering leads us to broken places of sorrow,
shame, guilt, and regret and yet God
offers healing and restoration – made possible at His expense and mercy. Ezekiel’s
graphic tale is really a story of grace. The same plot line repeats again
and again in the pages of His Word. Jesus told parables of rescue that Luke
recorded for us – a lost coin, a lost lamb, a lost son. God loves and seeks us.
What amazing grace!
The Psalm celebrates the heart of the Lord - "The Lord is compassionate and
merciful, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. He will not
constantly accuse us, nor remain angry forever. He does not punish us for all
our sins; he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve. For his unfailing
love toward those who fear him is as great as the height of the heavens above
the earth. He has removed our sins as far from 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. For he knows how weak we are; he remembers we are only
dust." (Psalm 103:8-14, NLT)
Nations, churches, even individuals who have spurned the
ways of the Lord can find renewal,
but will we? Or will we continue to substitute trinkets for treasure, cheap
thrills for genuine love? God, Who loves
us, is waiting for us to come home to Him. Will we? Or, will we believe the lie
that He has rejected us forever? Another prophet, moved by the Spirit, extends
the invitation. “Come, all you who are
thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Why spend money on what
is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me,
and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare. Give
ear and come to me; hear me, that your soul may live. I will make an
everlasting covenant with you, my faithful love promised to David." (Isaiah
55:1-3, NIV)
So, whether you are a Christian of many years or a seeker at
the doorway looking into God’s love, here is a word from the Word. Let the
wonder of grace bring joy to you this day.
"Since we have
been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what
Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith, Christ has brought
us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we
confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory. …
We know how dearly God
loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his
love. When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and
died for us sinners. …
Since we have been
made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us
from God’s condemnation. For since our friendship with God was restored by the
death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved
through the life of his Son. So now we
can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus
Christ has made us friends of God." (Romans 5:1-11, NLT)
______________
And Can It Be?
And can it be that I
should gain
An interest in the
Savior's blood?
Died He for me who
caused His pain,
For me who Him to
death pursued?
Amazing love, how can
it be,
That Thou my God
shouldst die for me?
He left His Father's
throne above,
So free, so infinite,
His grace.
Emptied Himself of all
but love
And bled for Adam's
helpless race!
'Tis mercy all immense
and free,
For O my God, it found
out me.
Long my imprisoned
spirit lay
Fast bound in sin and
nature's night.
Thine eye diffused a
quickening ray-
I woke - the dungeon
flamed with light.
My chains fell off, my
heart was free,
I rose, went forth and
followed Thee.
No condemnation now I
dread,
Jesus, and all in Him,
is mine.
Alive in Him, my
living Head
And clothed in
righteousness divine;
Bold I approach
th'eternal throne
And claim the crown
through Christ my own!
Charles Wesley | Thomas Campbell
© Words: Public Domain
Jerry D. Scott, Pastor
Faith Discovery Church
Washington, NJ 07882
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