Monday
November 10, 2008
DOES HE STILL CRY?
"O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones God's messengers! How often I have wanted to gather your children together as a hen protects her chicks beneath her wings, but you wouldn't let me. And now look, your house is left to you, empty and desolate. For I tell you this, you will never see me again until you say, 'Bless the one who comes in the name of the Lord!'"
Matthew 23:37-39 I can almost picture Jesus standing back a way from this city so dear to his heart and weeping. How He must have hurt to know that the people who had killed the prophets of old would now kill Him �?in the name of His Father.
Can you feel the heart of God in this? Jesus was sharing a piece of God's heart with us when He stated that many times He wanted to gather the children together as a mother hen gathers her chicks. He wants to protect us. He wants to shield us from any danger, but we make the choice to do things our way and walk independent of Him.
When we insist on doing things our way instead of God's way we will find that our homes are empty and desolate. Our family won't visit and our friends will become tired of us. This is not God's desire for us. He wants us to have good relationships and the only way that is going to happen is when we submit to God and start walking in love.
I'm sure that most of us have someone we love who refuses to let us love them. They insist on doing things their way and their self-centeredness pushes us away. Oh, we pray for them, but our heart longs to hold them and fellowship with them. Isn't it amazing that God feels that way about us?
One of the hardest things about being a Christian is loving people who don't want our love. Yet, that is exactly what God does. He loves us even when we don't respond to His love. He lingers near us waiting to hear us say; "I need You."
Let these words be a reminder to you today to draw near to God, allow Him to embrace You with His arms of love. Then, take the time to share His love with someone you know that refuses to be loved.
Oh God, our Father, where would we be without Your love? Lord, I recognize that too many times I have pushed myself away from the shelter of Your embrace. I submit myself to You today. Hold me. Comfort me. Strengthen me with the power of Your love to accomplish what You have already laid out for me to accomplish today. When this day ends help me know that You aren't standing at my side weeping because I left You out.