Author: RedeemedInGrace

Wholly Loved

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Exodus 19:1-15; Psalm 27:7-14; Matthew 22:34-23:12

 

“I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” Psalm 27:13-14

God calls His Bride, the Church, to be set apart, as a holy people. We are to “conduct [ourselves] in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ” (Philippians 1:27). How can we live perfectly holy before an Awesome God? Well, we can’t. This is actually good news for us. It is exactly why Jesus sacrificed Himself on the cross to make a way for wayward people like you and me. We cannot clean ourselves up or ever be good enough- there’s a hole in our holiness. Even if we reform the outside, our hearts are dead apart from God. We are no more than a whitewashed tomb.

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In our Exodus passage, God commands Moses to tell the people of Israel to prepare themselves before entering the Lord’s presence. They were to wash their clothes and consecrate themselves so by the third day they would be ready. Under the New Covenant we have Christ’s Presence always with us as His children. He did the work of making us righteous and presentable before a Holy God.

Jesus does not denounce our lack, weaknesses, or limitations. He tenderly tells those who belong to Him they are condemned no more. The indwelling Holy Spirit patiently teaches us how to live in holiness, as we learn to operate out of God’s power and not our flesh. Our Father promises to not give up on what He’s started in you and me, to make us more like Christ (Philippians 1:6). We can be confident we will see Jesus face to face one day in the land of those who’ve really lived. You are His treasure, holy and loved, wholly loved.

 

Grace upon grace,

April

Long-suffering Mercy

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Exodus 15:19-17:7; Matthew 22:1-33

“But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” -2 Peter 3:8-9
How do we handle the sins of others against us? When we’ve been deceived, betrayed, lied about, or mistreated? How does God deal with sin? How has He dealt with my sin?
We are all unrighteous before the Lord yet He freely offers grace for those who recognize their need for Him. Jesus has prepared a place for such people. Some respond to the invitation of the Gospel with apathy, others openly rebel in opposition to God’s gift. The kingdom of Heaven is not for them. So the Lord chooses an array of people from every nation, tribe, and language to serve His Name, delighting in His feast. He is mercifully long-suffering.
Moses cried out to God when the Israelites complained of hunger and thirst. The Lord heard him and miraculously provided in the desert, meeting their physical needs. Water from a rock, meat in the evening and manna in the morning- for forty years! He is mercifully long-suffering.
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In His earthly ministry, our Lord Jesus addressed the religious leaders intent on destroying His reputation and credibility. Jesus knew their hearts better than they did. He responds to the attacks to trap Him with patient wisdom, demonstrating His authoritative knowledge over the ways of men and Scripture. He is mercifully longsuffering.
Sometimes the word ‘long-suffering’ seem to fit better than ‘patient’. Long-suffering gives an image of endurance, perseverance, love bearing all things. This is exactly what Jesus did and does for you and me. In any of these examples God could have annihilated anyone questioning His provision, goodness or authority. But He didn’t. The Lord is slow to anger, abounding in love not wishing any should eternally perish. Think of His response during the mock trials, insults, beatings, and ultimately, His crucifixion (Isaiah 53:7-11). He is mercifully long-suffering. Jesus has invested His life in all the elect, knowing we would not walk perfectly, knowing there would be days you and I completely fail.
But His mercies are new each day.
In light of how the Good Savior treats us, eventually sacrificing Himself for our eternal good, we can respond with mercy and patience when we are sinned against. Because I hope someone would extend the same grace to me when I sin against them. Cry out to God when you feel wronged, be sober-minded with self-control, quick to forgive, slow to anger. Because this is what Jesus did for you. This is what God loves.
Grace upon grace,
April

The Great Deliverer

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Exodus 13:17-15:18; Psalm 26; Proverbs 6:16-19; Matthew 21:23-46

 

“In Your unfailing love You will lead the people You have redeemed. In Your strength You will guide them to Your holy dwelling.” -Exodus 15:13

 

The character traits outlined in our Proverbs passage describe what God hates: pride, liars, murder, deceitfulness, divisiveness, and hatred. Examples of this nature are seen in Pharaoh and his army as well as the Pharisees who challenge Jesus’ authority. The nature of man apart from God does not change. How the Lord addresses our sin may vary. Meaning, the Egyptians experienced immediate consequences as they were drowned in the Red Sea. Their wickedness brought about their own ruin, but God’s glory.

On the other hand, the Pharisees’ rebellion against Jesus does not receive prompt judgment. It looks like they’ve won as Jesus is crucified and they triumph over His death. But this isn’t where the Story ends. Death did not hold Christ. The One murdered on the cross will judge the hearts of men at the end of Time. Like the Pharisees, all who remain unrepentant in their sins will be held accountable on Judgement Day. This is the worst consequence of all.

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The righteous pray for God’s salvation over them. As David does in Psalm 26, we can seek the Lord without fear as He no longer sees our former nature. We boldly come before His Throne and appeal to the Lord. He has covered us in the righteousness of Jesus and our sins no longer condemn us (Romans 8:1). Our love for the Father grows and deepens hope. The desire to live in holiness is His gift to us and the mark of genuine faith.

El Shaddai delivered Israel from slavery in Egypt. Then in His perfect wisdom and time, the Lord came in the person of Jesus Christ to be our Great Deliverer. Rest in God’s wisdom today. He will watch over you and be your Help for those who know their need of Him and seek His Face.

 

Grace upon grace,

April

Macro and Micro

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Exodus 12:14-13:16; Matthew 20:29-21:22

 

“In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, and through whom He made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His being, sustaining all things by His powerful word.” -Hebrews 1:1-3

 

Before Jesus’ earthly ministry began, God spoke through appointed men and prophets. When Christ came He dealt face to face with people. Still the same true God, the Lord reveals Himself in a much more personable, tangible way as Jesus became flesh, living among men. Suddenly our view of God is up close.

Jesus meeting us where we are in our humanity is significant for many reasons, but it is especially important for how we relate to Him. Christ had to become like one of us, perfectly keeping the Law, thus fulfilling the Law and becoming a Perfect Sacrifice. He identifies with man so that man could identify with Him. God has always been the same majestic Lord, unchangeable yesterday, today and forever. Yet in His love and grace the Father sent His Son to a world in need of redemption. Jesus condescends from His Heavenly Glory momentarily to teach us more about Himself. Just as created things like bread, water, and blood point to a deeper spiritual truth, so God incarnate teaches us of His sacrificial intimate love for the Father and the people He died for.

God’s holiness is also applied to our environment as Jesus daily interacted with others, enduring physical limitations as a human, experiencing hunger, temptation and tiredness yet He did not sin (Matthew 4:1-11; Hebrews 2:14-18). Jesus Christ is uniquely and supernaturally fully God and fully man (Hebrews 1:1-12; Matthew 22:41-46; Psalm 110:1).

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The God of Moses Who delivered His people from Egypt is the same God Who restores sight to the blind, encourages children to praise Him, displayed foreknowledge of a donkey and colt to be used for His purposes, and curses a fruitless fig tree. The macro and micro pictures we have of our Great God are one in the same. What a mighty God we serve!

The Lord redeems His children and destroys the wicked, just as Pharaoh and his army were suddenly overtaken by the same sea God protected Israel with. His ways are limitless, His power unmatched; this is God. He sent His Son, God incarnate, to die for a lost world, in order that we could know Him, enter His Presence and have peace with the King of the Universe. The most wonderful question we can ask ourselves is: Who is Jesus? What is your answer?

 

Grace upon grace,

April

 

 

 

I asked the Lord that I might grow

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I’m often fond of asking the Lord to help me “grow deeper” in my love and faith for Him. I pray this over others as well. But I’m keenly aware of what this generally means. Personal growth usually results from suffering. From small inconveniences to life altering ones, these trials are the sandpaper to our sanctification.

Jason and I have this poem/hymn, I asked the Lord if I might grow, written by John Newton kept on the side of our refrigerator. Its something I stop and read every now and then reminding myself that bearing fruit comes from struggle. As with the global health crisis we are all experiencing right now in some way, God sometimes lovingly afflicts us to get our attention- off ourselves, off distractions, off our idols, to turn back to Him.

For believers this is a grace into repentance and restored fellowship with our Father. For unbelievers this is an opportunity to humbly come to our Great God and Savior! The result from such actions will look like a deepening dependence on Him.

Newton, a former slave trader and best known for his hymn Amazing Grace, understood 1 Peter 1:6-7, the implications of suffering as spiritual refinement: “though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith- of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire- may be proved genuine, and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.”

How has the Lord graciously peeled back the layers of spiritual apathy, pride, habitual sins or busyness in your life? We all have the precious gift of slowing down right now as so many things have been stripped away. Being still is hard for us. We may not like what we see if we’re honest.

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God is actively at work in COVID-19 of which there may be many purposes I won’t get into here. But one might just be to turn your eyes back to Jesus. Will you go to Him? Is He your life? Heart examination is uncomfortable, especially admitting where I fall short. But man is it necessary- ultimately for our good. God opposes the proud but will give grace to the humble. So be encouraged in your hardships right now. The undergrowth could make way for a deeper intimacy with the King of the Universe. And isn’t He worth it?

This is the poem John Newton penned:

I asked the Lord that I might grow 

In faith, and love, and every grace; 

Might more of His salvation know,

And seek more earnestly His face.

 

‘Twas He who taught me thus to pray;

And He, I trust, has answered prayer:

But it has been in such a way

As almost drove me to despair.

 

I hoped that in some favored hour, 

At once He’d grant me my request;

And, by His love’s constraining power,

Subdue my sins, and give me rest.

 

Instead of this, He made me feel

The hidden evils of my heart,

And let the angry powers of hell

Assault my soul in every part.

 

Yea more, with His own hand He seemed 

Intent to aggravate my woe;

Crossed all the fair designs I schemed,

Blasted my gourds, and laid me low.

 

Lord, why is this? I trembling cried;

Wilt thou pursue thy worm to death?

‘Tis in this way, the Lord replied,

I answer prayer for grace and faith.

 

These inward trials I employ

From self and pride to set thee free,

To break thy schemes of worldly joy,

That thou mayest seek thy all in Me.

 

I’ll leave you with another hymn, this time a modern one written and sung by Keith and Kristyn Getty called ‘The Lord is My Salvation”. It ties in well with the theme of heart affliction. I pray you know the depth and supernatural love of God in your own life. Let His words of truth refresh you today.

 

Grace upon grace,

April

Compromise

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Exodus 10:1-12:13

 

More than once Pharaoh tried to compromise with Moses on conditions for letting the Israelites go worship. Moses was unwavering because these were God’s terms. Like Pharaoh, those who attempt to negotiate with the Lord have no fear of God, not rightly understanding Who He is.

The last plague left no room for compromise with judgment over every firstborn son in Egypt. The instructions for Passover were very clear, as the Israelites obeyed God’s word by placing the blood of an unblemished lamb on the sides and top of the doorframe to their homes. Then each Hebrew ate the roasted lamb, bitter herbs and bread without yeast in haste as instructed by the Lord. Because of their obedience, God spared the firstborn in each Israelite home unlike the Egyptian families.

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God defends those who take His Word seriously and obey Him- these are His people.  We may think it harmless to cut corners at work, lack integrity in how we treat others, or see how far we can push the envelope, but how we live before others matters. John MacArthur points out how the Church is responsible in representing Christ to the world saying,

“The Church’s greatest testimony before the world is spiritual integrity. When Christians live below the standards of biblical morality and reverence for their Lord, they compromise the full biblical truth concerning the character, plan, and will of God. By so doing, they seriously weaken the credibility of the gospel and lessen their impact on the world.”

The truth is God will not honor bargaining His commands of any kind. He does not haggle. This is the way of the unrighteous. God’s people obey Him and serve others because this reflects the heart of Christ who did not compromise His mission on the cross. Aren’t you glad Jesus perfectly obeyed the will of the Father? Christ set the example for daily living by demonstrating whole-hearted devotion to God alone as the only way to live. It’s important to note that this isn’t done in our own strength. As we mature in our understanding of God’s grace, the Holy Spirit enables us to live out the Lord’s will. Gradually our desires begin to match His, as our hunger for God grows. How incredible God even helps us obey Him!

God’s standard is ultimately in our best interest. We need not fear “missing out” on a full life because we don’t succumb to the pressures of the culture. God’s way leads to solid joy in a forever relationship with Him. In the end, those who remain steadfast and uncompromising in the Lord will hear “well done, My good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:23). Keep persevering. Our Father sees your faithfulness to Him.

 

Grace upon grace,

April

Set Apart

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Exodus 8:1-9:35; Psalm 24; Matthew 19:13-30

 

There is a fatal misconception that there many ways to heaven- in the end all people are God’s people. This simply isn’t true. The Bible shows us how God set apart the people of Israel for Himself. He is a Covenant-keeping God, long-suffering with wayward, scared, ungrateful and at times faithless people. Good news for us. We aren’t that much different in our sin nature from Israel and yet God still pursues His people, displaying a love and power only He can possess.

The Lord wields His dominion over creation with the plagues He set upon Egypt. Scripture specifically points out how God protected His people from these afflictions, passing over the land of Goshen where the Hebrews lived (Exodus 8:22-23; 9:4; 26). He saved them from His wrathful plagues. The wonder of salvation is that none of us deserve it. We are all dead in our sins, guilty to have plagues set upon us before a holy God. Yet in His great mercy the Lord created and preserved a holy nation, a royal priesthood, the body of Christ, the Church. We who are in Christ Jesus are set apart as His holy possession. All acts of redemption recorded in the Bible foreshadow God’s greatest work in Jesus, rescuing us from the slavery of sin, resurrecting spiritually dead men and women for His ultimate Glory and our eternal good.

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Jesus told His disciples that with man salvation is impossible. We cannot save ourselves or find another way to heaven than through Him (John 14:6). But with God, the miracle of salvation is not only possible, He actually made this a reality for all who place their trust in Jesus. God makes the impossible, possible.

Since the beginning of Time it was God’s desire to enjoy fellowship with His creation- us. When we separated ourselves from Him in sin, God made a way in Christ to set us apart once again, but this time with a purpose to make us holy. As Christians we are no longer held captive to our culture and the depravity of man. He has made and is making us holy to be like He is. Paul explains it this way, “And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified” (Romans 8:30). If you are a Christian, you are becoming what God has already called you to be. He is faithful to sanctify you and me until the day of Christ Jesus when we see Him face to face (Philippians 1:6). As God’s beloved, we are set apart to be free.

 

Grace upon grace,

April

Signs and Wonders

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Exodus 5:22-7:25; Psalm 23; Proverbs 5:22-23

 

Our Father is a faithful leader guiding His people throughout history with anointed leadership, Scripture, the Holy Spirit and prayer. God used Moses and Aaron to speak on His behalf, to demonstrate His Power when the Israelites were in Egyptian captivity. Even when Israel lacked faith in God’s redemptive plan and Moses became discouraged, the Lord still moved forward in rescuing them. Moses’ staff becomes an object of God’s power and authority as it turns into a snake. His staff then swallows the Egyptian magicians’ staffs turned into snakes.

God’s goodness to never give up on His people, to guide and correct us when necessary carries over into the beautiful 23rd psalm. He is our Great Shepherd with His own staff and rod, not out of sadistic pleasure but out of His love for us. It is always for our good, as we learn to walk in the footsteps of Christ.

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By contrast, Pharaoh’s hardened heart depicts the wicked who refuse to obey God’s correction. Rejecting His truth, His light, darkens the mind and sears the conscience.  The Lord will eventually give them over to their sin (Romans 1:21-25; 28). Disobedience is not freedom but eternal slavery.

God’s staff of righteousness is the perimeter by which we live our lives. Boundaries are for safety yet we must trust in our Father’s wisdom, operating within His commands. The Israelites didn’t demonstrate faith in Egypt until they were shown God’s signs and wonders.

Jesus rebuked the religious leaders who demanded a sign from Him to prove His Sonship (Matthew 12:38-41). They hated Jesus’ ministry and condemned Him to the cross. Yet this was not the end. Just as the Lord prophesied, this generation witnessed the ‘sign of Jonah’ as Jesus overcame death and lives today. What other wonder do we need? Blessed are those who acknowledge the Lord’s goodness and authority without demanding a sign and walk in obedience (John 20:29).

 

Grace upon grace,

April

Dear refuge of my weary soul,

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As I was reading through my Devotional Psalter in Psalm 62, this hymn-writer in the commentary grabbed my attention. I’ve never heard of Anne Steele, but her life is remarkable. She experienced loss and heartache over her lifetime yet penned deeply wise words. Anne lost her mother when she was three, then became an invalid after an injury early in life. Her fiancé tragically drowned in a river the day before their wedding! How is it we can keep going like Anne, in the midst of anxiety, loss, financial strain, disease, political wars, and weariness?

Her answer was to look to God. She saw Him as her Refuge.

“For God alone my soul waits in silence; from Him comes my salvation. He alone is my Rock and my Salvation, my Fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken.” (Psalm 62:1-2)

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This is the hymn Anne was able to write because of where she placed her hope. My desire is you are encouraged and ministered to today, with these words, and by remembering Who is holding onto you.

Dear refuge of my weary soul,

On Thee, when sorrows rise,

On Thee, when waves of trouble roll,

My fainting hope relies.

To Thee I tell each rising grief,

For Thou alone canst heal; 

Thy Word can bring a sweet relief

For every pain I feel.

Hast Thou not bid me seek Thy face,

And shall I seek in vain?

And can the ear of sovereign grace

Be deaf when I complain?

No, still the ear of sovereign grace 

Attends the mourner’s prayer;

O may I ever find access

To breathe my sorrows there.

Anne Steele (1716-1778)

Grace upon grace,

April

A Grateful Perspective

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What are you thankful for right now?

I posted this question on Facebook a few days ago and quite a few people commented. The answers were simple (but important) things too, like family, health, food, and slowing down. Isn’t it interesting how we get back to the basics when trials come? Our perspective changes on what we value most.

There are plenty of things that will keep us up at night right now. One thing I’ve found to help when I get anxious or fearful is to name my blessings. What has the Lord given you?  Just the fact we have breath in our lungs is cause for celebration. God is still Good. This is something worth remembering when we despair.

Lately when Jason and I put Jesse to bed we each name one thing we are thankful for that day. It can be the same thing from the day before. It doesn’t matter. What matters is remembering our blessings at the end of every day. Jesse has started to get the hang of this new question and actually said he was thankful for “mom and dad, play outside with me!” YA’LL. My mama heart actually melted.

This has been tough for everyone on the entire planet. If we are to be sustainable for however long this lasts, we have to take a different perspective other than gloom and doom. It just isn’t healthy. As Christians, there is a difference in facing our mortality with solemnity versus running around with your hair on fire. Acknowledge the reality of this serious virus, take precautions, then live, and keep a grateful heart. Our new normal has caused tears and laughter over here. So as I write this I’m trying to practice too what I believe honors the Lord.

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I’d love to hear what you are thankful for right now. Big or small blessings, it allows us to open our eyes and see God is still taking care of us. If you choose to leave a comment I think it would also encourage others to hear what you are grateful for 🙂

Today, I’m thanking the Lord for the beautiful spring weather in Alabama! After lots of consecutive days with rain and gray blah, today is literally a breath of fresh air. The windows are open and I can hear birds singing to each other. For now, we at least get to play outside in our yard which is more than some can do at this time.

Take heart, the Lord is Sovereign and He still reigns- even over Coronavirus.

Grace upon grace,

April