Friday, May 1st, 2009

Friday, May 1st, 2009

Isaiah 45:22
"Turn to me and be saved, all the ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other."

These words are the very words of God. This is the gracious and precious call of God to all men. God calls all men, everywhere to repent. Though the work of the new birth is an act of the Holy Spirit, a Divine recreation, the command to repent and be saved still comes from God.

God tells the whole earth that if they turn to Him from their evil ways, He will save them. God is a compassionate and loving God, even though He is also a God of wrath, who punishes the guilty and cannot allow justice to fall in the streets.

God truly is God, He claims to be, He is, and there isn't any other God. God is the true King. God is the true Lord. God is the true Fountain of Life. There is no other stream to drink from to have life, it is only the Living Water, Jesus Christ.

God's words to the lost are sure, His work of redemption through Jesus Christ, is absolute. The message of hope is available to all, the ability to respond to it is in the power of the Lord, however, those who truly are the called will hear and respond. Thus, I must be faithful to proclaim this message of hope. Turn to God and be saved, everyone!

I think that in many ways I short-change God, by relying on Him, and turning to Him for salvation, but not turning to Him in all other things. The reality of a Christian's relationship with God is that it should be one of absolute dependence and reliance upon Him. Why can't I give every ounce of my being in service to God? Why can't I give up my pride and arrogance, and humble myself before the only One who knows everything? Why does this life take up so much energy and time, and tend to be used to make me forget that God is my all in all.

Oh God, help me today to first proclaim who you are. You are the true God, the Lord almighty, who is far from the sinful. Yet, you will draw near to them if they turn to you and repent. So let me be a faithful witness of the gospel. Let me live a life that will demonstrate the true message of hope, and let me faithfully proclaim the new message of hope. Second, help me to draw near to you in utter and absolute reliance. Let me turn my heart to You, oh God, so that I might be a humble servant, giving all that I am and have for and to You. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit today. Let me see Jesus Christ clearly, and let me live for Him this very day. In His name, Amen.