The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe…
(a repeat from 2014)
"For Us"
Two of the most encouraging words in the Bible are found in the Apostle Paul's joyous affirmation of God's commitment to His children: "If God be for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31).
"For us." Our Heavenly Father forever abides in faithful devotion to His trusting children in Christ. We are "accepted in the Beloved" and thus, eternally the subjects of His gracious favor and attitude of good will (Ephesians 1:6). He is for us. He is not always for thoughts, attitudes, words, and actions that do not conform with His will. The New Testament clearly reveals we can displease God when we do not reflect the character and nature of the Lord Jesus. "Grieve not the Holy Spirit" (Ephesians 4:30). However, He remains for us in the sense that we are His children, in whom dwells the Spirit of beloved Son, the Lord Jesus (Galatians 4:6).
Loving human parents well understand this truth regarding our children. Devotion to their well being fills our hearts even when - and especially when - our sons and daughters stray from our teaching and direction. We remain for them even when we must be against their sin and wrong. Our children hold a place within our hearts that maintains our love for their person even when we must rightly reject destructive practices. Multiply this by an infinite measure in our Heavenly Father. His love for His trusting children in Christ shines forth in the glory of His promise to ever be for us. His hand may be hard in such times, but His heart remains tender in devotion, and firm in commitment to His eternal purpose in our lives. "Whom the Lord loveth, He chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom He receiveth" (Hebrews 12:6).
The book of Hebrews, written to first century Jewish believers being tempted to turn away from the Lord Jesus and return to the Mosaic law, closes with the promise, "I will never leave thee nor forsake thee" (Hebrews 13:5). Our Lord faithfully abides when we don't. Countless Christians have returned from times of wandering when the Spirit of God reminded them that the Word of God promises the abiding faithfulness of God. Count me among that company, that is, among those whose hearts have often been broken and renewed upon the remembrance of a faithful Father, an interceding Son, and a persistent Holy Spirit who ever works to strengthen existing faithfulness and restore us when we falter. "For us" - the briefest of phrases, but no more powerful truth exists in the Word of God whereby we realize He works in devotion to us, to maintain our devotion to Him.
"The LORD will perfect that which concerneth me: Thy mercy, O LORD, endureth forever."
(Psalm 138:8)
Weekly Memory Verse
And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
(I Timothy 1:14)
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