2 Chr 16:9 “For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him.”
Rev 5:9 “For You were slain, And have redeemed us to God by Your blood…”
Zech 1:3 “Therefore say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts: “Return to Me,” says the Lord of hosts, “and I will return to you,” says the Lord of hosts.”’
Psalm 119:176 “I have gone astray like a lost sheep; Seek Your servant, For I do not forget Your commandments.”
Oh, to be a new believer, again! I remember past times when I noticed all things were from God: amazing answers to prayer, great leaps of faith, intense spans of quiet wrapped in worship…every moment a reminder of His presence.
This week I praised God because your prayers for me were heard and I was helped. As much as I loved the way you smiled in surprise that the God of the universe would hear and answer you, I had to admit that I felt a twinge of jealousy. I thought how often I prayed for this same relief and was denied the answer. Maybe drawing the conclusion that God attends to the new believer sounds a little irrational, but what else could it be?
I think back to when I was a new believer (several decades ago), and I cannot help but wonder why today I find it so difficult to see the hard times and my major concerns come under the blood. Instead, I often feel I bear a heavy load, accepting what I have understood to be my ‘lot in life.’
Even as I write this I admit these are halfbaked ideas about life for a believer, especially coming from a seasoned child of God. Yet some may argue that I should not think God is so personally interested in our day to day lives. Still, undeniably, supernaturally, and regardless of my blindness to His lovingkindness, He says that His mercy falls on those “whose heart is loyal to Him.”
So when you prayed this morning that God would move my mountain, He laughed and lifted me off that precipice just to show you His amazing concern for you by granting what you cared to ask. And you know what? On that same day , He showed me why the answer to my prayer was delayed: He was just waiting for you to pray. Even more important than the logistics of my plight was His punctuation at the end of His love letter to you.
Just as He has returned to You, He has sought me and brought me back from my wanderings, too. And only because of His blood and His great love for you and for me.
Guess it is true: you CAN teach an old dog new tricks. I’m sitting up pretty tonight and keenly waiting on His new command.
Sixty-six books in a year 