Orange Moon Tuesday, January 30, 2024 "The Giver In the Midst"

The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe…

"The Giver In the Midst"

   

    What is salvation in its essence and most fundamental reality?  The Psalmist knew.

    "Say unto my soul, I am thy salvation" (Psalm 35:3).

    The saving grace of the Lord Jesus Christ imparts more "unsearchable riches" than we will ever fully discover (Ephesians 3:8).  The "I AM" of all, however, is God Himself.  

    Consider, for example, the forgiveness our Heavenly Father grants to those who receive the Lord Jesus in salvation.  When God pardons our sins, He does so personally.  

    "And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. When Jesus had lifted up Himself, and saw none but the woman, He said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers?  Hath no man condemned thee?  She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more" (John 8:10-11).

    God does not impart forgiveness or any of His other gifts from afar.  The Lord of grace comes with the grace He promises and provides to all who trust Him.  "My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:19).  The forgiven woman did not hear a decree from Heaven proclaiming her pardon, but rather knew the Lord Jesus "in the midst" of her reception of God's grace.  The Forgiver granted pardon Face to face in the physical sense, and even more, Heart to heart in the most spiritually vital bestowal of mercy.  "He that trusteth in the LORD, mercy shall compass (surround) him about" (Psalm 32:10).

    Of course, "Face to face" is yet not available to us in this earthly lifetime wherein we "walk by faith, not by sight" (II Corinthians 5:7).  "Heart to heart," however, is.  God's all-pervasive presence graces every breath He gives, and every marvel of His abundantly generous heart and hand.  In Heaven and the life to come, we will better know that the God who gave us salvation is Himself our salvation.  He was not and is not satisfied with providing a redemption that does not include Himself as its very essence and reality.  "Of Him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption" (I Corinthians 1:30).

     Let us join the Psalmist in his wise request: "Say unto my soul, Thou art my salvation."  Yes, let us ask our Lord to make the myriad glories of His grace so personal in our hearts and minds that we realize the Giver "in the midst."  A far richer experience of love, faith, devotion, and wonder will result, and we will find ourselves being far more personal with the One who comes with His gifts.

Father, are You there?

No, My child, I am not there,

I am here, nearer than any other.

And I will always be not there,but here, 

of this you can be sure,

and this you will discover

as the years roll on, and forever draws nigh,

I am with you always, so near,

nearer than any other.

"In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge is in God."

(Psalm 62:7)

Weekly Memory Verse

    "Unto Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen."

(Ephesians 3:21)

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