HOLY, HOLY, HOLY
Carey Madding
Today's Scripture: “O Lord, the God of Israel, you are just, for we are left a remnant that has escaped, as it is today. Behold, we are before you in our guilt, for none can stand before you because of this.” Ezra 9:15, ESV
Theme: God is holy and just. Because of His great love for us, He made a way to atone for our guilt through the blood of Christ.
EXPOSING THE ILLUSION
Though it’s not a real diagnosis, there seems to be an accepted condition called “Oldest Child Syndrome.” It manifests itself as perfectionism, hyper-responsibility, a need to manage, and bossiness. In kinder words, they have a strong sense of leadership and duty, but in worst case scenarios, the older child can turn into a Type A, control-freak adult.
It takes a lot to get a control-freak to let go of the reins. It takes a catastrophe for a managing personality to ask for help. And it takes a complete fiasco (and sometimes public humiliation) to make a perfectionist realize, maybe for the first time, that they are not perfect, will never be perfect, nor can they keep spinning all their plates perfectly. It often takes unimaginable pain to help them see this as an illusion.
WHAT DOESN’T BREAK YOU...
Though once proud and mighty, the people of Israel—the very few, old, and poor people who remained after the Assyrian victory and Babylonian captivity and the exiles who had begun returning—had been brought to a place of utter despair. They had nothing: no power, no food, no dignity, no pride. In that place of grief, loss, and humiliation, they remembered God. They saw His majesty and holiness, and they realized how far they had fallen from correct worship of Him. They stood before Him, praying for forgiveness. God used their distress for good. “For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death” (2 Corinthians 7:10, ESV).
Sometimes, God will allow the consequences of our sin to break us. Let me be clear: all bad things are not from God. Not all bad situations are the consequences of sin. But it’s just as true that some things are a direct result of our poor judgment and disobedience. The Bible says that God will certainly discipline us for our own good. “For the moment all [God’s] discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it” (Hebrews 12:11, ESV). In the instance of God’s discipline, the momentary pain brings about conviction, repentance, change, and restoration. It helps you realize your need for a Savior.
Disaster can humble us, driving us to our knees, accepting the forgiveness of God given to us by the blood of Jesus Christ. The trials and resulting repentance do indeed make you stronger in your relationship with your Father God.
Make It Personal: In no way do I want to impute guilt, but I ask you: “Is there an ongoing issue that just will not resolve?” Not always, but sometimes, God is trying to get our attention in those areas. Continual money problems? Am I honoring God with my finances? Do relationships always seem to careen out of control? Am I honoring God with my body? Am I in trouble at work or school? Could it be that my friends draw me away from God and not towards Him?
If you are in a cycle of pain, let God’s Spirit put His finger on the issue and reveal it to you. God “is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance” (2 Peter 3:9b, ESV). Jesus has paid the price; His blood was shed to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). It is His offer to you today.
Pray: Lord, thank You for always reaching out to me, whether through Your goodness and blessing, or through Your reprimands. I know You want the best for me and You desire my repentance, not so that I feel guilt, but that I feel the freedom of Your love and grace. Help me to be an ambassador of Your mercy, drawing others to You. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen.
Read: 2 Timothy 2:24-26, Romans 2:4, Hebrews 12:7-11, Psalm 94:12, 1 John 1:9
Weekly Memory Verse: “And they sang responsively, praising and giving thanks to the Lord, ‘For he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever toward Israel.’” Ezra 3:11a, ESV