October 24, 2013
“Where is the god who an compare with you — wiping the slate clean of guilt, Turning a blind eye, a deaf ear, to the past sins of your purged and precious people.” Micah 7:18 The Message
God never tires of reminding you who you are .. who you belong to .. and who he is. He could just throw up his hands, if that were possible … bit he can’t. He hates sin. He hates what it does in you and what it does in every area of life. No one escapes its damage .. disobedience .. and mistrust. But god can’t help himself when it comes to your life. He’s used his power .. miraculously and mercifully .. to search for you .. even when you’ve been lost in broad daylight. Of all the resources at his disposal, God has used “words” for thousands of years to reach into your heart and call you to freedom. His words disarm you when you’re ready for a fight. Just when you’re ready to defend your actions and explain to God why you did what you did … or didn’t do what you knew you should have down, Jesus announces that His Life is God’s response. He’s wiped the slate clean in your life. There’s a cross standing right there in your life where you feel blind .. despairing .. down and out .. overwhelmed .. burdened and battered .. and all alone. Jesus still uses “words” to reach into the deepest .. darkest .. and deserted places of your life to announce good news. He could have chosen to stay silent, but when it comes to your life .. He can’t help himself. It only takes a moment …
“When he stood up to read, he was handed the scroll of the prophet Isaiah. Unrolling the scroll, he found the place where it was written, God’s Spirit is on me; he’s chosen me to preach the Message of good news to the poor, Sent me to announce pardon to prisoners and recovery of sight to the blind,
To set the burdened and battered free, to announce, “This is God’s year to act!” He rolled up the scroll, handed it back to the assistant, and sat down. Every eye in the place was on him, intent. Then he started in, “You’ve just heard Scripture make history. It came true just now in this place.” Luke 4:17-21 The Message
Ken Chester: Grace-Gripped is sent M-F to Clean-Slated Followers of Jesus and friends of Priority One (kchesterp1@gmail.com)
