In this season, my body is broken and bruised. My God is both gracious and terrible. He has my attention, does He have yours? He longs for the precious fruit of repentance from His children and He will not despise your broken and contrite heart.
"The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise." Psalm 51:17
These are troubling times for the body of Christ. God has allowed us to live in our free will, waited patiently for us, suffered long at our complacency and lukewarmness, acted, and the Lord yet intercedes for us daily.
"Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them." Hebrews 7:25 KJV
The experiences and words of our brother Job can be both comforting and disturbing. If we allow God to speak deeply to our hearts and minds today we can find God's will and God's Peace as we sit at His feet in Sackcloth and Ashes.
"Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him; but I will maintain mine own ways before him."
Job 13:15
"Only two things do not do to me, Then I will not hide myself from You: Withdraw Your hand far from me, And let not the dread of You make me afraid. Then call, and I will answer; Or let me speak, then You respond to me. How many are my iniquities and sins? Make me know my transgression and my sin." Job 13:20-23
"Don’t tear your clothing in your grief, but tear your hearts instead. Return to the LORD your God, for he is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. He is eager to relent and not punish." Joel 2:13 NLT
"Because your heart was penitent, and you humbled yourself before the LORD, when you heard how I spoke against this place and against its inhabitants, that they should become a desolation and a curse, and you have torn your clothes and wept before me, I also have heard you, declares the LORD." 2 Kings 22:19 ESV
Friends, Job was broken and contrite before the Lord. He was so open and willing to search his heart and to keep nothing back from his own awareness and especially from His loving God. Let's stay awake and honest before Him as these last days unfold right before our eyes. He is gracious to give us time to get ourselves right before Him.
On a journey of Healing and Hope with you,
Terri Lynne
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