Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near. Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will freely pardon.
Think back to your first mental image of God. For some people, God was big, smiling and loving. For others, their image of God was one of a harsh judge on a throne. Perhaps that fits your image or somewhere in between. Your image of God either presents a barrier or offers a bridge when you come before him in prayer. Barriers are often erected from negative experiences with earthly parents or through relationships with people who have not honored God in their words and actions.
Allow me to suggest that you find a quiet place and seek a true image of who God is and how he desires to manifest himself in your life. Ask God, in his grace and mercy, to reveal to you the unrepentant sin in your life so you can turn from your sin and seek His forgiveness. He offers all who trust in him healing for their past and hope for a healthy future with the one true God who is both loving and just. Today, seek the Lord for he is near to the humble in heart.
Prayer
O God, help me see in you the hope and healing that you alone offer to all who trust completely in you. I desire to see you as the one true, everlasting God who has mercy on those who seek you with all of their heart. Create within me a true vision of your holiness and your hope as I walk with you by faith. AMEN
Roger Crites
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3 comments:
Pastor Crites, this phrase resonated with me immediately, "seek a true image of who God is and how he desires to manifest himself in your life". It occurred to me that God manifests himself differently for different people - none of us can put him in a box, even so far as how we expect him to behave toward OURSELVES. THe old ideas of God being an "Abba" Father versus a more formal "Father" still causes some people to stumble... which is it? need He be one or the other? I think he is BOTH, either at once, or alternating between the two, or one way for some and the other way for others...He is above delineation, and molds himself to each individual soul...
There is a story my pastor tells that goes like this. One day a Judge was driving his car passed a small lake and a young man was frantically waving his arms to signal him to stop. When the Judge pulled over the young man hastily told him his friend fell in the lake and didn’t know how to swim. The Judge quickly ran and jumped into the water and saved the drowning the boy. Many years later, this same Judge was sitting on the bench hearing a case. It was at the point where the Judge looked at the man charged with the crime and asked him if he had anything to say to the court. This man, somewhere in his 40’s, approached the bench and said, “Judge don’t you remember me, I was the young man you saved from drowning.” The Judge simply stated, “That day I was your savior, today I am your judge.” This story always sobers me and reminds me that yes God loves us and saves us; is merciful and long suffering, but He also is to be feared, revered and obeyed.
Thank you for this morning devotion, I needed the reminder to take the time to seek God each day. It is the MOST important part of our day.
Thanks for a great message on Sunday. It was a treasure and a blessing. The Lord placed forgiveness first in the prayer He taught. So I must prioritize it first as well. Prayers for His strength and help.
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