THE ABC’S OF GOD’S LOVE AND CARE

We are not holy merely because God created us in His own image; for we live in an unholy world that has been contaminated by sin. Sin was first introduced by the first humans created, Adam and Eve, who fell for the cunning manipulations of the Deceiver who made them think they could be God.  Satan tried and failed in his own venture to be God with thoughts of replacing God.  He was promptly kicked out of heaven for trying.  So, with his collected army of demons with unholy hate for God it is his goal to avenge himself by battling all created in God’s image with distracting us from all that is God to all that is evil. 

Satan is called the Deceiver by Jesus who knows him well and made known in the  Revelation as the Destroyer.  He works daily with limited power to distract, deceive, and manipulate our thinking with the goal to destroy our faith in and our relationship with God in Jesus Name. 

We are not holy unless God makes us holy.  God is the One and Only God who is Holy so He alone is worthy of all our praise.  God is the One and Only we can trust as Truth for He is Truth.  To be in relationship with our Holy and Perfect God in all His ways begins with believing in Jesus, His Son.

“I AM the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Jesus, John 14:6 (Emphasis on I AM are mine)

Psalm 119:57-64, The Message

ח Heth

Because you have satisfied me, God, I promise
    to do everything you say.
I beg you from the bottom of my heart: smile,
    be gracious to me just as you promised.
When I took a long, careful look at your ways,
    I got my feet back on the trail you blazed.
I was up at once, didn’t drag my feet,
    was quick to follow your orders.
The wicked hemmed me in—there was no way out—
    but not for a minute did I forget your plan for me.
I get up in the middle of the night to thank you;
    your decisions are so right, so true—I can’t wait till morning!
I’m a friend and companion of all who fear you,
    of those committed to living by your rules.
Your love, God, fills the earth!
    Train me to live by your counsel.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

“God’s people remember His name. The name of God—Jehovah, Yahweh—is full of meaning and power. To translate it only as “I AM” is to miss much of the dynamic that it contains. To remember His name is to encourage our hearts to trust Him, obey Him, and not be afraid. “Those who know Your name will put their trust in You; for You, LORD, have not forsaken those who seek You” (Psalm 9:10). To remember God’s name is to ask Him to remember us and work on our behalf. We must do this when we are in the darkness and afraid (119:55), or when we are lonely and discouraged” (Psalm 42:6). —Warren Wiersbe, Wiersbe Study Bible

We all have times that we fear or at least wonder what lies ahead for us daily.  We try to prepare for the challenges in life with the human resources we have; but we need God’s power above all the troubles and trials this world presents.  We need help to respond to trials, fears, wonderings, sufferings, and tests in holy ways.  Only God who is holy can make us holy in response to this world.  Trust Him.  “Fear not, for I AM”, God reminds us throughout His Word, from Genesis to Revelation!  

Our faith is built on nothing less that Jesus blood and righteousness, we sing but it is our committed trust in God who never fails and makes us holy, not perfect, but holy before Him.  Jesus reconciled us to God.  Holy is the work of God. It is God’s Holy Spirit living in us as believers who does His work of molding and shaping us to be all He created us to be—like HIM in every way.

We avoid becoming “holier than thou” as we humbly walk with God through all of life’s journey because we have no right to boast for it was Jesus who did all, paid it all, and gave us hope of eternal life by sacrificing all of Himself for all our sins. Only Jesus did for us what we could not do for ourselves—reconcile us to God! We didn’t deserve God’s mercy nor can we earn His grace.  Yes, no reason to boast here!  “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8) All glory to God!

“All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23) But “not for a minute” are we forsaken—we are forgiven as a demonstration of His love, mercy, and grace.  We love and serve a Holy God who alone is lifted up and worthy of all the glory, honor, and praise.  Trust God, Fear not; He knows what He is doing!

Lord,

Thank you for this timely psalm of thoughts that prompted peace that replaces my fears of the unknown at this very moment. Cleanse my heart, renew my mind, refresh my soul, and restore the joy of your salvation at work within us.  Create in me a clean heart.  Fill me with Your Holy Spirit in ways that shine your Light to others.

Light of the world
You stepped down into darkness
Opened my eyes let me see
Beauty that made this heart adore You
Hope of a life spent with You

And here I am to worship
Here I am to bow down
Here I am to say that you’re my God
You’re altogether lovely
Altogether worthy
Altogether wonderful to me…

(Light of the Word, by Chris Tomlin)

In Jesus Name, Amen