“Greatly Beloved, Graciously Beckoned”

"Greatly Beloved, Graciously Beckoned"

    Although Daniel did not possess the full revelation of God's grace and truth in the Lord Jesus Christ, this "greatly beloved" Old Testament saint knew the heart of God's relating to us, and our response to Him (Daniel 10:11).  Indeed, Daniel was greatly beloved and graciously beckoned.

    "O my God, incline Thine ear, and hear; open Thine eyes, and behold our desolations, and the city which is called by Thy name: for we do not present our supplications before Thee for our righteousnesses, but for Thy great mercies" (Daniel 9:18).

   Daniel's affirmation of approach to God based upon the Lord's abundant mercy rather than the illusion of our own righteousness foreshadowed the New Testament illumination declared by the Apostle Paul: "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand" (Romans 5:1-2).  Such grace has always been the way to God.  However, in Christ, the Blood-stained path to the throne lies clearly before us.  We come by His merits, based upon His person and work, or we do not come at all.  On our best days of faith and faithfulness, we come by the Lord Jesus.  On our worst days of waywardness, we may still come if we approach with a humble, trusting heart fixed and focused on the Lord Jesus.  He is our way at all times, our fount of "great mercies" whereby our Heavenly Father receives us as "accepted in the Beloved" (Ephesians 1:6).

   The consistent realization and availing ourselves of such grace nurtures genuine devotion to God and communion with Him.  "We love Him because He first loved us" (I John 4:19).  When we come by way of Christ and His atoning sacrifice, the Holy Spirit enables us to overcome both pride and despair.  We approach the aptly termed "throne of grace" with bowed heart and head, but also "boldness and access with confidence by the faith of Him" (Hebrews 4:16; Ephesians 3:12).  Thereby the love that beckons us also motivates our responsive love that blesses the heart of our Father.  Grace and mercy alone fuel within us the commitment, affection, and willingness to sacrifice whereby we desire to come to God, and do so in both humility and assurance.  Long ago, greatly beloved, graciously beckoned Daniel discovered such freely offered Divine goodness.  He greatly loved in response, as will we with even clearer understanding through the light of the Lord Jesus that confirms our way to God as available and accessible.

"For through Him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father."

(Ephesians 2:18)

Weekly Memory Verse

     For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counseller, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

(Isaiah 9:6)