Whatever the suffering we might be experiencing as a consequence for following our own way instead of God’s way, the promise of God still extends to us: If we will recommit our lives to Him; if we will serve Him; if we will do things His way; if we will look at life through His eyes; then God promises to restore the years we have lost: “the years that the locust hath eaten”.
Our clothing consists of hearts that are tender and filled with compassion displaying mercy; human-kindness that overflows to meet the needs of others; a humble preference to put others first; a meek, spirit-controlled temperament; and the willingness to go the distance with others without complaint—these are the new clothes.
The story of the shepherd seeking his lost sheep became very, very real to me that night, and I’m not ashamed to admit that those stupid lost hens brought me to tears of humility. Do we not do the same to our Heavenly Father? He shows us green fields, and we race back to the emptiness of what’s familiar… even those with years of experience in walking with God, we can be caught unawares. All of us, at some time or another, stray away from God’s best, and need the Shepherd to come find us.
During that week before I had confessed to my dad that I had indeed lied to him, he did not throw me out of his house; he didn’t disown me or write me out of his will! I was STILL his child, but our fellowship was broken.
It is mercy, God’s mercy, that makes Salvation available. Mercy opens the door of Salvation to let us into the Kingdom of God.
…when you fail and need restoration don’t seek a cheap one or an easy one. Let the great Shepherd lead you into the paths of righteousness that will truly restore your soul.
Trials in life are certainly not desirable! They are not comfortable, they may cause us pain and inconvenience, but when they are brought by God into our lives there is most definitely something He wants us to learn from them!
The reality that God loves us unconditionally is often described in the Bible by one word: “MERCY”.
If the spiritual is more important than the physical, how should we spend our time and effort?
If what we do is more important than what we say, how should we approach ministry?
If (the ongoing work of) Salvation is more important than miracles, which one do we need to solve our problems?
And may heaven welcome others
Who will join me in praise
Because I lived for Jesus Christ
Not just on Christmas Days
“But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither…” ~ Psalm 1:2-3a
“Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season…” ~ 2 Timothy 4:2a
Reflections in The WORD 