Mercy in the Messiness

But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) Ephesians 2:4-5 (NLT)

Recently, I was reading through the story of Abraham and Sarah, specifically around God promising Abraham a multitude of descendants starting in Genesis 15. God promised Abram he would have descendants. Sarai tried to work this out on her own by giving Hagar to Abram to have children. Hagar gets pregnant and starts treating Sarai with disrespect. Sarai blames Abram. Abram tells Sarai to solve her own problems and doesn’t lead the family. Sarai is abusive to Hagar. Hagar runs away.

All of this chaos and all of this messiness caused by the actions and behaviors of God’s people. What struck me as I read though this was not so much what they were doing but what God didn’t do.

God didn’t tell them they messed up. He didn’t make them feel less than (they were actually doing that fine on their own.) He didn’t throw his hands up in disgust and walk away. He stayed.

He stayed. He let the consequences of their bad decisions play out and he showed up in the mess they had created.

So often we think we have to have all the answers. We think we have to present a picture perfect person to God so he can work in us and we can do what we are called to do. But that is not true. All we have to do is come as we are (messiness and all) and give God a heart that is willing. That’s it. Be willing.

It’s so simple yet we make it so complicated. And sadly, when we stay away because we don’t think we are good enough, only Satan wins. God’s message is always love and mercy. We are already given life by the grace so freely offered to all mankind from the beginning until Jesus comes. What’s preventing you from coming to Jesus now? Stop listening to the lies. Jesus has got you covered.

What Is A High Priest Anyway?

So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most. Hebrews 4:14-16 (NLT)

Question for you. When you have a problem, specifically when you have done something you that you are not sure about, do you go to a friend who has experienced it before or to a friend who would not have a frame of reference?  Most of us would go to a friend who understands, someone who can sympathize.

Jesus is that person.  When he was here, he was put to the test. His tests were far more grueling than ours. Why? Because when we are tested, at some point we will fall. We can only take so much before we crumble.  But, if we didn't crumble, wouldn't Satan just keep coming at us applying pressure?  Jesus never crumbled. He never sinned. And although Satan kept coming at him with everything he had, Jesus was victorious. 

He knows what we go through. He's been there. He understands what it's like. He walked this path. He can sympathize with our journey. And there, is the good news. When you need someone to stand before God for you, Jesus is the perfect choice. This is why we can come boldly to God. Not because there is anything in us to be bold about. We can come boldly  because of what Jesus did. The life he lived, the sacrifices he made, his obedience (and his alone) allow us to be fearless.

And because he did, because he understands, because he gets it, he is our forever champion.

Changing Color

Come now, let’s settle this,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, I will make them as white as wool. Isaiah 1:18 (NLT)

As I look out the window this morning, I see a beautiful landscape of white. White covering the grass and the roads and white decorating the tree branches to paint a picture of breath-taking beauty.

Yesterday, that same view was a mud-covered landscape from the rain and sleet that fell. What a difference a day makes. I can't help but think of God's statement to us that even though we are covered with sin and look dirty and unclean, in just a blink of an eye, we are made perfect.

In less time than you can imagine, you are sparkling white, clean with no traces of any imperfections. That's his promise. He is calling you to glisten. Go, talk to him and he will make you white as snow.