meditations for an everyday relationship with Jesus

Love me?

Job 42:5-6 “My ears had heard of you, but now my eyes have seen you. Therefore I despise myself.” the voice God gave me

How many of us have compared ourselves to God and, like Job, wondered how we could ever approach Him and ask for anything? Most of us feel so bad about who we are, or what we have done, that we envision such an encounter as just another rejection … but on a cosmic scale. For many of us it would confirm our worst fears, and underscore what we already know about ourselves.

We are tempted to say, “If God only knew about … (1.) my infidelities, (2.) my addictions, (3.) my lies (4.) my fears, (5.) my resentments, etc.” And, of course He does know, and loves us anyway.

We assume that God is like people only bigger and scarier. Our God is a loving God, and there is nothing else like Him … nothing better.

Obedience

Leviticus 24:3-4 If you follow My statutes, and faithfully observe My commands, I will give you rain at the right time, and the land will yield its produce, and the trees of the field will bear their fruit.

This is more about blessing than simply following a list of rules. We can follow rules and abide by civil law all day long, and we will probably not feel particularly blessed … although we will no doubt fit in better with our community, avoid fines and jail time.

In the ways of God obedience is its own reward. We find ourselves submitting to a benevolent and merciful authority, and there is peace. No one but God can be the author of real peace in the middle of such hectic and unfulfilling lives.

“Know Jesus, know peace. No Jesus, no peace.” Sometimes bumper stickers get it right!