Little known Allison facts...I am good with bleach. I like my whites to be white so sometimes I get a bit bleach happy. Apparently not all of my clothes are big fans of the bleach. Just the other day I found a lone sock who had gone a.w.a.l. from his designated laundry basket and had stealthily hidden amongst my jeans. The sock did get clean, but, needless to say, when I refer to that particular sock I have to use air quotes on the word "white". I know you've been there.
That cranky little "white" sock came to mind one day when I thought about the grace full forgiveness of our loving Father. 1 John 1:9 says, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (NASB) "All" unrighteousness, really? I know it has to be true because God's Word says it, but sometimes I feel like the semi-white sock. I know I'm clean, but still stained, dingy, and at least vaguely resembling the world. However, the Scripture is clear that God not only cleanses us, but He makes us righteous. Why? Isaiah tells us it is for God's own sake and for His purpose that we are forgiven. Isaiah 43:25,"I, even I, am the one who wipes out your transgressions for My own sake, And I will not remember your sins." Isaiah 48:11, "For My own sake, for My own sake, I will act; For how can My name be profaned? And My glory I will not give to another.
He desires to be glorified by us more than He desires to be mad at us. Have you ever been in a fuss with a friend or family member that you just wanted over so you could get back to enjoying the relationship? We move more quickly to repentance, apologies, forgiveness, and restoration when the relationship is valuable. He values His children and desires our unhindered worship. He pours out not just forgiveness, but also blessing and mercy and grace not just for cleanness, but for something new, pure, and bright, shiny white. What great love is this.
Praise God! He is good with the bleach.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
The Singers Sang Loud
I have never been in a place so loud. About a month ago, I traveled with my family to Glendale, AZ for the BCS Championship held in the University of Phoenix Stadium. I have never seen or heard anything like it. The energy and excitement was electrifying. IT WAS LOUD. On one of my trips to get food (yes there was more than one), my ears actually hurt. Don't misunderstand, I am not saying, "you should have seen all the loud crazies;" I was one of the loud crazies. Why shouldn't I be? My team had made it, after a long time of not making it, we were there and we had reason to celebrate.
One of my favorite episodes in Scripture describes a scene that I think would have put that AZ stadium to shame. In chapter twelve of Nehemiah the Israelites gather for the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem. The work was finished. Finally the wall is complete. After captivity, exile, defeated first attempts, Nehemiah's brokenness; after everything they had been through the wall was finished. What some thought would never happen is now a very real, very tall wall. Now was the time to celebrate. Certainly they had reason to be glad that the work was done and that they were regaining their beautiful city, but let's not miss the importance of the wall itself. The people were no longer open and exposed to the enemy. They were not only rescued but now fortified. Former captives now dwelled in their protected city; they were home. So they sang loud. Nehemiah 12:43 says, "and on that day they offered great sacrifices and rejoiced because God had given them great joy, even the women and children rejoiced so that the joy of Jerusalem was heard from afar." They knew that hardship and enemies would soon come, but, that day, was a day of rejoicing, and they worshipped with a loud voice. Why shouldn't they? They had reason to celebrate.
Over and over again in the Word of God we are commanded to rejoice and be glad, and no one has reason quite like a Christian. In Jesus Christ we have been rescued and fortified. Protected and directed by the arms of the Almighty Creator God. Of course we sing loud. Do you know what He has done? Have you not heard? Do you not know? Do you know what He continues to do? Do you not remember captivity? Have you not experienced freedom? Of course we sing loud.
Why wouldn't we? We have reason to celebrate.
One of my favorite episodes in Scripture describes a scene that I think would have put that AZ stadium to shame. In chapter twelve of Nehemiah the Israelites gather for the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem. The work was finished. Finally the wall is complete. After captivity, exile, defeated first attempts, Nehemiah's brokenness; after everything they had been through the wall was finished. What some thought would never happen is now a very real, very tall wall. Now was the time to celebrate. Certainly they had reason to be glad that the work was done and that they were regaining their beautiful city, but let's not miss the importance of the wall itself. The people were no longer open and exposed to the enemy. They were not only rescued but now fortified. Former captives now dwelled in their protected city; they were home. So they sang loud. Nehemiah 12:43 says, "and on that day they offered great sacrifices and rejoiced because God had given them great joy, even the women and children rejoiced so that the joy of Jerusalem was heard from afar." They knew that hardship and enemies would soon come, but, that day, was a day of rejoicing, and they worshipped with a loud voice. Why shouldn't they? They had reason to celebrate.
Over and over again in the Word of God we are commanded to rejoice and be glad, and no one has reason quite like a Christian. In Jesus Christ we have been rescued and fortified. Protected and directed by the arms of the Almighty Creator God. Of course we sing loud. Do you know what He has done? Have you not heard? Do you not know? Do you know what He continues to do? Do you not remember captivity? Have you not experienced freedom? Of course we sing loud.
Why wouldn't we? We have reason to celebrate.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)