God isn’t around where He isn’t wanted. O the consequences we suffer for pushing Him away. We may cry out to Him, as David, asking why He stands so far away, but He is away because we have pushed. God is always near for those with faith enough to perceive it. His power binds our molecules together, keeps the sun from blowing up, causes the warm breeze to blow across our face. God is always here. He always listens. Our failure to perceive it lessens not a whit. How dare we blame God for unfaithfulness, we who are as fickle as the wind. God is afar off because we have left Him behind. I know this, because I have done it far too many times. I have walked away many times, only to run back to His arms.
“O wretched man that I am, who will save me from this body of death?”
If there is any great miracle of Scripture, it is God’s ability to take my worthlessness and make me worthy. “Not many of you were wealthy, nor many of you wise in the world’s eyes” – one of my favorite verses in 1 Corinthians 1 because it is to true. I have often ignored my salvation because I wanted to do what I wanted. And I condemn myself. How can I be a worthy and faithful servant? I became worthy because of Jesus’ costly death on the cross. This is the price of grace, grace for sin shed upon that cross centuries ago, but just as effective today. I need to remember my sin and shame, because it reminds me that I am not worthy of the gift. If I think I am worthless, then I need to remember I am costly to Jesus. My unworthiness leads to my gratitude. He shed the greatest price for me. If ever I feel insignificant, I need to remember I am His. And that’s all that matters.
Meritt Musings 