Everyone needs a do-over. Our accumulated record of mistakes and missteps becomes much too burdensome to carry forever. We desperately need the liberation of forgiveness.
"Who is a God like You, who pardons iniquity And passes over the rebellious act of the remnant of His possession? He does not retain His anger forever, Because He delights in unchanging love." (Micah 7.18)
These words spoken by Micah the prophet were uttered during a dark time for the nation of Judah. The people of God had forsaken their God and turned to a multitude a false gods and idols. Their stubborn disobedience had incurred the wrath of God, expressed through the ruthlessness of an evil empire that defeated and oppressed them. But, God's wrath was not final, not was His love abated. Amidst these dark times, Micah reminded the people of God of their God who "pardons iniquity", and "does not retain His anger forever, Because He delights in unchanging love." While they had been unfaithful to their covenant with Yahweh God, He would forever remain faithful and merciful.
While our specific disobedience may not be the same as the ancient people of God, in principle it is. Our idols are more in the form of technological ones. Our passionate devotion to our Father - like these Jews of old - easily cools into indifference. Lip service replaces heartfelt devotion (Isaiah 29.13)
I'm longing for a do-over. It's not just that I want the slate swept clean (I already have that in Christ - Romans 8.10); I want the passion and fire to return. I want true devotion to supplant mere duty. The glimmer and glow of today's modern idols appeal far too much. What I want is to rekindle the holy romance; to eagerly long for times to slip away with His word for intimate conversation in the quietness.
So much as it depends on us, we will never be fully faithful. But, the God of covenant "delights in unchanging love." To "come clean" before Him - without pretense - is to be given a new heart, and a willing spirit.
"Father, remove the heart of stone, and give us a new heart - ready and willing to obey fully; passionate for the God of delightful and unchanged love."
Steve
©Steve Taylor, 2012
"Who is a God like You, who pardons iniquity And passes over the rebellious act of the remnant of His possession? He does not retain His anger forever, Because He delights in unchanging love." (Micah 7.18)
These words spoken by Micah the prophet were uttered during a dark time for the nation of Judah. The people of God had forsaken their God and turned to a multitude a false gods and idols. Their stubborn disobedience had incurred the wrath of God, expressed through the ruthlessness of an evil empire that defeated and oppressed them. But, God's wrath was not final, not was His love abated. Amidst these dark times, Micah reminded the people of God of their God who "pardons iniquity", and "does not retain His anger forever, Because He delights in unchanging love." While they had been unfaithful to their covenant with Yahweh God, He would forever remain faithful and merciful.
While our specific disobedience may not be the same as the ancient people of God, in principle it is. Our idols are more in the form of technological ones. Our passionate devotion to our Father - like these Jews of old - easily cools into indifference. Lip service replaces heartfelt devotion (Isaiah 29.13)
I'm longing for a do-over. It's not just that I want the slate swept clean (I already have that in Christ - Romans 8.10); I want the passion and fire to return. I want true devotion to supplant mere duty. The glimmer and glow of today's modern idols appeal far too much. What I want is to rekindle the holy romance; to eagerly long for times to slip away with His word for intimate conversation in the quietness.
So much as it depends on us, we will never be fully faithful. But, the God of covenant "delights in unchanging love." To "come clean" before Him - without pretense - is to be given a new heart, and a willing spirit.
"Father, remove the heart of stone, and give us a new heart - ready and willing to obey fully; passionate for the God of delightful and unchanged love."
Steve
©Steve Taylor, 2012
posted by steve @ 9:16 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home