Free To Celebrate, Day 4
Read :Psalm 126
Remember : Jesus says, "Come to me. Bring it. There is nothing I cannot handle. I am more than all the weight you carry. I took it upon myself at the cross..." The cross was a switcheroo, and we traded up. Rebekah Lyons, page 186, 187.
Reflect: Well, ladies, This IS good news. He says to Come and Bring it! Bring every single bit of it and give it to Him. He can take it, none of it will shock Him, none of it is unforgivable, none of it will change His unconditional love for you, and NONE of it is unfixable. He CAN take it all and turn those ashes into beauty. This is an offer that comes with belief in Jesus Christ knowing He is our salvation and it's in Him we find our joy . As we read in this chapter earlier this week, " The joy of Christ becomes our joy." This is an offer just too good to pass up!
God's ability to restore life just boggles our minds. We cannot understand it. Forests that burn down grow back. Broken bones heal. Several weeks ago, we looked at three profound stories of grief and the restoration process these ladies are going through. It would be an understatement for me to say it's not easy. In fact, there are endless stories out there where is just seems completely impossible to my human mind for the broken to be healed. And yes- it IS totally impossible for us to do this on our own. But not so with God. This is how the Life Application Bible explains Psalm 126: 5-6: "Our tears can be seeds that will grow into a harvest of joy because God is able to bring good out of tragedy. When burdened by sorrow, know that your times of grief will end and that you will again find joy. We must be patient as we wait. God's great harvest of joy is coming! " This passage doesn't say it will be easy or fast. In fact , it's been my experience that there is much pain involved in the process and nothing ever happens in Madelaine's timing. What I do hear is this passage is HOPE. He IS there, He DOES hear every plea and confession, and He WILL heal the broken and restore joy. I have to believe this because my rule book for life is the Word of God. But I know there is submission and obedience required from me for this to work. And those two words should probably be tattooed on my hand so I could be reminded of them daily . So ladies, be free to give it ALL to Him who can do for us that which we cannot do for ourselves. Be free to celebrate WHO He is and WHY He came for YOU!
Rest: The psalmist said, "The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy." So true. Sometimes, don't you think we can be a little too general in our thanksgiving? I wonder if the joy would flood if we started naming the great things specifically? Today, why don't we make a list of 10 great things God has done for you. List them out. Thank God for them. Celebratory joy will surely be the outcome.
Heavenly One, how do we begin to thank You for all You are ? Thank You for sending Your Son to actually die for us and offer salvation. Thank You that our salvation does not depend on our good works or our behavior. Thank You for loving us, forgiving us, and giving us new mercies daily. Thank You for meeting us right where we are, every minute, and walking with us through this earthly life. Thank You for the hope we have for eternity. Lord, we ask that You give us open hands to submit ourselves and our will to You. We ask that You heal where we are broken and give new life where needed. We admit that earthly happiness looks inciting sometimes but we claim that the joy found only in You is what we truly need and want. We ask that You flood each one of our souls with that joy. In Your name we pray, Amen.
Great Things (Worth It All) - YouTube
