Saturday, April 15, 2017

The Saturday Series - 10- "Relentless"


(Friends:  Most Saturdays for the duration of this year, I plan on sharing a message that relates to the character and nature of God, and our response thereunto.  I hope you will find it helpful, and as always, thanks for allowing us to send the devotionals to you.  Glen).


The Saturday Series - 10

"Relentless"     
  
  
   
  It's not a specifically recorded Bible word, but the word "relentless" accurately describes the Scriptural declaration of God's character, nature and way.

  God… worketh all things after the counsel of His own will" (Ephesians 1:3; 11).

  The Word of God clearly reveals a present, active, and involved God in all things.  We see relatively little of His doings, including those He accomplishes on our behalf.  He does them nevertheless.  Nothing escapes His weaving of every thread into the tapestry of His eternal purpose in the Lord Jesus Christ.  "My Father worketh hitherto, and I work" declared the Savior (John 5:17).  Yes They do.  Moreover, add the Holy Spirit's ongoing activity to the awareness of the universal participation of the Divine.  "The works of the LORD are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein" (Psalm 111:2).

   Creation reveals the truth we consider.  "The invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made" (Romans 1:20).  Modern science reveals a universe of mind boggling vastness and complexity, whether we ponder the seemingly boundless stretches of outer space, or the infinitesimal wonders of subatomic inner space.  Everything of the immense and the minuscule exists by the Christ who "upholds all things by the word of His power" (Hebrews 1:3).  Our Lord spoke in order to create.  He speaks in order to maintain.  All requires His active involvement on a scale beyond the collective imaging of every heart and mind in existence.  Or, we might suggest that God is relentless in His creation, which raises an even more blessed matter…

   …God is even more relentless in relationship, particularly in the love of Christ that births, nurtures, and will ultimately glorify every born again believer in the Lord Jesus.  "Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ" (Philippians 1:6).  Our Heavenly Father loves us with an everlasting love, the blessedness of which will forever grace our hearts and lives.  Nothing deters Him from such gracious and merciful devotion.  Indeed, in this moment, the most fallen believer finds himself no less cherished by God than in former days of faithfulness.  The Lord may be grieved and most unhappy with His erring child, and He may necessarily chasten.  But no lessening of love shadows the Lord's heart, or diverts His faithful determination to fulfill the "good work" in which we can be supremely confident.  God is relentless in all things, and He is most relentless in relationship, relentless in love.

   I love thinking of our Lord in this way, as described by this adjective.  Relentless.  This is who He is.  This is how He works.  And this is how we must perceive Him in the fulfillment of His purposes, and the loving devotion of His heart to His children.  This includes you and me, my dear brothers and sisters.  Relentless.  Or as the Apostle Paul exulted in his familiar and beloved affirmation...

"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, and who are the called according to His purpose.  For whom He did foreknow, He did predestinate to be conformed the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren."
(Romans 8:28-29)
"Whither shall I go from Thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from Thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, Thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, Thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; even there shall Thy hand lead me, and Thy right hand shall hold me. If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me. Yea, the darkness hideth not from Thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to Thee. For Thou hast possessed my reins: Thou hast covered me in my mother's womb. I will praise Thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are Thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well "
(Psalm 139:7-14)

Weekly Memory Verse
   Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ.
(Ephesians 1:3)
  

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