"When their spirit is lively, and their hopes bright, they think God accepts them, for they feel so high, so heavenly-minded, so drawn above the earth! But when their souls cleave to the dust, they are the victims of the fear that they are no longer accepted. If they could but see that all their high joys do not exalt them, and all their low despondencies do not really depress them in their Father's sight, but that they stand accepted in One who never alters, in One who is always the beloved of God, always perfect, always without spot or wrinkle, or any such thing, how much happier they would be, and how much more they would honour the Saviour!"
How often I, perhaps you become despondent. Begin living in the way of a practical atheist and seek the world more than God. We live and live for success, today and tomorrow, but not for our eternal home. But then, the Holy Spirit comes and shows us that this way is foolishness. It is at this point that we question ourselves and our love and motivation toward Christ.
We see ourselves as failures, and because we were/are in a state of depression or melancholy, we wonder if God really accepts us. This is the time that we must run to Jesus the most.
As Spurgeon said, in happy times, and times when our soul is feeling good, and goodly motivated toward God, we think that we are on God's good side, and we can feel our acceptance. But, when we ha turned aside, and cared more about the world, our advancement, or whatever else, we feel bad and depressed, but this is the time that we can find the most comfort, the most joy, and the most solace.
This time of anxiety and fear is the time that Jesus is the greatest Savior. He didn't come to heal the whole, but the sick. You don't find acceptance in perfection, but you find acceptance in Jesus.
His blood and righteousness are all that we need to be accepted. Acceptance comes because Jesus paid the price, because Jesus gives us His righteousness on top of taking our sin.
So this morning, confess with me our sins of complacency, despondency and world-loving, seek God's forgiveness, and don't become depressed, but rather know that we are accepted in the beloved in Jesus Christ.
Echo with me the hymn: nothing in my hands I bring, but simply to the cross I cling.
Jesus, give us a joy today that surpasses our own foolishness and forgive us for not loving you and living for you with all our being. Be our joy and delight, not for some indiscriminate time in the future, but for right now. May we behold your glory this morning, and be changed to be more like you because of it. Amen!
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Location:Harmony Rd,Akron,United States
1 comment:
I concur. Thanks for the encouragement.
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