Easter is just hours away. Does anyone know the name of the One who died for the sake of humanity? Very few knew His name long ago. And those who did know Him were afraid. Yet a psalm written long, long before He was taken away to die, captures something of knowing Him.
Psalm 9, verses 10 and 13 say this: "Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you." And, "I may declare your praises in the gate and rejoice in your salvation." These words were said by David, then King of Israel, about the one we now know as Jesus Christ, the one long-awaited who died on a cross for my sake and yours.
My Study Bible reminds me that "God will never forsake those who seek Him. To forsake someone is to abandon that person. God's promise does not mean that if we trust in Him we will escape loss or suffering; it means that God Himself will never leave us no matter what we face. All of us want God to help us when we are in trouble. Some want God's help so that they will be successful and so other people will like them. Others want God's help so that they will be comfortable and feel good about themselves. David, however, wanted help from God so that justice could be restored to Israel and others might see God's power. When you and I call for help we must consider our motives. Is it to bring glory and honor to God?" I am reminded that it must be for no other reason.
When we seek God, we must remember that God expects us to call upon Him knowing that God's presence is an "ever" thing. It is not like smoke or heat or even snow. ( Snow here in MN finally does melt away, or so they say!) No, God's presence is forever! And forever means always! He is always present, always available, always there to love you and is always worthy of your praise! I urge you to be among those who adore Him. Remember, even the rocks and the leaves on the trees adore Him.
In this week before Easter Sunday, I hope you will see reminders of who God is and of His ever presence. I hope to concentrate in my writing, at least in part, on the horror that Jesus endured in these same hours. Remember, many did not know that He was the Christ. He was believed to be a trouble-maker among those who were leaders of the established religion, the ones who felt he must go because of the many who had begun to believe that this Jesus maybe was the long awaited Messiah.
Jesus will be hailed as a "good guy" by many who will crowd around him as he enters Jerusalem this coming Thursday. He will be riding on a donkey, and the crowd will yell, Hosannah!
I am sad to say they changed their minds on Friday. Yet, without this complete story we would not have been saved.
Until next time, and the next and the next,
Our Lord awaits to be Yours.
Praise God!
Always, Jo of MN
No comments:
Post a Comment