Red Hot Love

Written April 28, 2014

Sometimes I throw my head back and feast my eyes on the green grass and look up at the bursting crab apple blossoms on the tree. Life is full of beauty.

And life is messy. This world is too full of pain and evil. And I've asked often where God fits in. There are big questions. I ask them. I belive there are answers. 

One question...what about those old testament stories? Honestly, they have bother me. Love. Destruction. Mercy. Anger. How do they exist in one Being? A Being named Love?

I wrestle a lot with love. What does it mean? What is real love? How does it work? Is that really what it looks like sometimes? Can I trust it?

I'm not writing today to say I figured it out. I haven't. But I saw this today. And it helped make a little more sense of things. So I just wanted to share it with you...since we're on this journey together.

God assures me again that He is good in all He does. And it is love. He is Love.

Unbelief

He rebuked the Red Sea also, and it dried up; so He led them through the depths as through a pastureland. Psalm 106:9 (AMP)

This verse struck me. He turned the impassable impossibility into a meadow. And their terrified faces turned to expressions of amazement and joy. And after the roaring waves had crashed back down on there pursuing enemies they sang. (vs 10-12)

Soon they are on the boarder of a pleasant land. The one that has for generations been the promised possession of their people. Yet after all they have seen, they don't think He can give it to them. It's owned by impossibly powerful people!

It was unbelief that kept them out for another 40 years...wandering in the wilderness.

The people refused to enter the pleasant land, for they wouldn't believe his promise to care for them.  (vs 24 NLT)

At one point in the saga it says, They traded their glorious God for a statue of a grass-eating bull. (v. 20 NLT)

They sound like a pretty dumb and wretched bunch...

Until you remember the times you've traded your glorious God for a "grass-eating bull".

No. We're not much better.

How many times have I lived doubt? Doubt that God could take care of me? Doubt that He would even want to? It's called unbelief. And it kept them out of the promised land. And it could be keeping me out too.

For forty years did unbelief, murmuring, and rebellion shut out ancient Israel from the land of Canaan. The same sins have delayed the entrance of modern Israel into the heavenly Canaan. Ev 696.2

This point comes out to me over and over again in the Bible.

And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief. Matthew 13:58

So we see that because of their unbelief they were not able to enter his rest. Hebrews 3:19

But there is hope! A father once struggled with unbelief. But Jesus did not send Him away. He only asked that he express his belief and show his faith, mustard seed though it was. And with that faith the Savior commanded demons to flee. And they did.

Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth. And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief. Mar 9:23-24 KJV

When thoughts of unbelief and distrust come to you, remember that silence is eloquence. Speak no words of unbelief, for such words are as seeds that will spring up and bear fruit. CTr 120.6 

Cast yourself at His feet with the cry, "Lord, I believe; help Thou mine unbelief." You can never perish while you do this--never. DA 429.1

Never.

Oh Father, forgive my unbelief, and may I never again turn from you to a grass-eating bull. 

Red Sea

They had cried. He had heard. The Cloud shields them as they make their escape. Moses hand's raise and the water rushes back. Through a miraculous path they flee as children through a secret passage. Hearts slowing with at least a bit of relief. Ah, they see what He's doing now. He is mighty after all. The last one crosses safe.

But horror grips them with multiplied fear as they see the Mighty One seems to have left the secret door a jar. Their enemy is charging at them once again...on the very same miraculous path! Why? How could He? What is He thinking?

Sometimes it seems God opens a way of escape just to let the enemy pursue me on that same path. What is He thinking?

Much greater things than I had imagined.

Sometimes instead of sending a defeated army home...He just decides to drown them.

I will sing unto the Lord, for he hath triumphed gloriously: 

the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea. 

The Lord is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation:

He is my God...

The enemy said, I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil; 

my lust shall be satisfied upon them; I will draw my sword, my hand shall destroy them.

Thou didst blow with thy wind, the sea covered them: they sank as lead in the mighty waters. 

For the horse of Pharaoh went in with his chariots and with his horsemen into the sea, 

and the Lord brought again the waters of the sea upon them; 

but the children of Israel went on dry land in the midst of the sea.

Who is like unto thee, O Lord , among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders? Thou in thy mercy hast led forth the people which thou hast redeemed: thou hast guided them in thy strength unto thy holy habitation. 

Fear and dread shall fall upon [the enemy]; by the greatness of thine arm they shall be as still as a stone; till thy people pass over, O Lord, 

till the people pass over, which thou hast purchased.

(Exodus 15:1, 2, 9-11, 13, 16, 19 KJV)

To catch the end of a rainbow

It's been so dry. I miss the rain. We've been praying for rain.

But the lyrics of a certain song have been playing through my mind and escaping my lips of late. And I was finding joy even in the blazing sun. In these thoughts I left my editing and went down for the supper call.

As I refilled my empty cup with water for later my eyes rose to the kitchen window. And I stared in wonder. With bubbling delight...it was raining. But even more, it wasn't only pouring down. It was not lightning. 

I could go raindancing!

There is a little girl inside of me that jumps up and down and squeals with unconcealed delight when surprised by this kind of love note. That runs outside despising the protection of an umbrella or raincoat and with no shoes. That flees the porch and the shelter of the trees...out into the full force to embrace the torrent.

As I stood there letting it wash over me and soak me through, I lifted my face to the western sky. It opened up and the setting sun shone through the droplets and a picture better than a master artists painting unfolded before my eyes. Words cannot describe. I was speechless. 

Behind me a rainbow appeared. The little girl squealed again and ran to the back of the house. My eyes followed the bow to its beginning. It cut through the horizon and landed in the field only two-hundred feet away. The little girl wanted to run and catch it. Hold it. So much of me believed I could. If I'd had shoes on I would have tried.

I would have tried to catch the end of the rainbow....

Why can't we catch the end of a rainbow?* 

"I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be 

for a token of a covenant between me and the earth."*

Because His love and covenant know no end.

O, then may no one ever catch the end of a rainbow!

Let there forever be more. 

And let me never find the end of His promises.

*I Googled it. It's impossible.

*Gen 9:13

Photo Credits: Mom & Dad

Pleadings - part 2 {Mercy on a Mountain}

Can you feel the excitement of the throng? Can you imagine the thrill of the disciples who think that now, at long last, he is proclaiming himself king? And they will be honored at his side! Their human imaginations run wild...

And yet...

Can you know the solemness in the heart of Christ? Can you see through his eyes the same people in less than 5 days spitting in his face and asking for a murderer in his place? Can you feel the desperate longing in his heart for them to see and understand who he really is and what he has come for - to save them from an evil that binds them in a bondage more fearful than any earthly power could.

"While the Jews desired the advent of the Messiah, they had no true conception of His mission. They did not seek redemption from sin, but deliverance from the Romans. They looked for the Messiah to come as a conqueror, to break the oppressor’s power, and exalt Israel to universal dominion. Thus the way was prepared for them to reject the Saviour."1

Do I long for deliverance from the uncomfortable world and the circumstances I find myself (or get myself) into?

Or do I long for deliverance from sin itself?

Would I reject my Savior?

.....

They reach the brow of the hill and behold the beloved city. The sight is stunning. "From the crest of the hill where Jesus and His followers stood, it had the appearance of a massive structure of snow, set with golden pinnacles."2 The multitude is enraptured in the pride and glory of their nation. Turning to look at Christ they expect His face to reflect the awe and admiration felt by their own hearts. 

But instead they are shocked to see His eye brimmed with tears. He raises His hand as if trying to stop the wave of doom steadily approaching the self-assured nation with the now setting sun. His body sways with grief. A midst heart broken sobs the words escape His quivering lips, "'If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace!—' Here the Saviour paused, and left unsaid what might have been the condition of Jerusalem had she accepted the help that God desired to give her,—the gift of His beloved Son."3

His beloved Son. 

As one version puts it...His cherished Son.

Not just a temple, the pride and glory of a nation...

The glory and majesty of heaven itself. This gift...come to die for her.

.....

"He takes up the broken thread of His lamentation: 'But now they are hid from thine eyes. For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side, and shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.'"4

His child. Like a father morning for his son. He weeps, heart pulsating with pain. " How can I give thee up? How can I see thee devoted to destruction? Must I let thee go to fill up the cup of thine iniquity?"5

Must I let thee go?

"One soul is of such value that, in comparison with it, worlds sink into insignificance; 

"but here was a whole nation to be lost. 

"When the fast westering sun should pass from sight in the heavens, Jerusalem’s day of grace would be ended. While the procession was halting on the brow of Olivet, it was not yet too late for Jerusalem to repent. The angel of mercy was then folding her wings to step down from the golden throne to give place to justice and swift-coming judgment. But Christ’s great heart of love still pleaded for Jerusalem, that had scorned His mercies, despised His warnings, and was about to imbrue her hands in His blood. If Jerusalem would but repent, it was not yet too late. While the last rays of the setting sun were lingering on temple, tower, and pinnacle, would not some good angel lead her to the Saviour’s love, and avert her doom? 

"Beautiful and unholy city, that had stoned the prophets, that had rejected the Son of God, that was locking herself by her impenitence in fetters of bondage,—her day of mercy was almost spent!"6

He pleads. Mercy pleads. For you. For me. His hand stretches out still.

Am I letting the last rays of sun set on my day of grace?

Will I let His desperate pleas be in vain?

1) DA 29.4

2) DA 575.2

3) DA 576.3

4) DA 577.1

5) DA 577.3

6) Ibid.

Pleadings - part 1 {Perceptions of a Procession}

It is the last week of his life. Up until this time he has sought to be somewhat in the shadows though often unsuccessful. Now yet again they fan the flame of hope that he will be their king and rescuer from the oppressive power they find themselves under. And unlike all the other times he now seems to accept it.

Leaving Bethany with the multitude that had gathered about Him there, He turns His face for the last time steadfastly towards the beloved city.  Excitement reigns. Seated on a borrowed colt the King of the universe is led in a growing processional prophesied five hundred years before as the promised heir to David's throne. The people know exactly what the picture before them symbolizes. It has been repeated by many kings of Israel. They are sure their hour of deliverance has at long last come and hail him as their Messiah and king.

Or so they think...

He seems to be acting in such contrast from the rest of His life and mission. "Never before in His earthly life had Jesus permitted such a demonstration. He clearly foresaw the result.

"It would bring Him to the cross."1

His actions were not, as it seemed, a consent to the will and wish of the throng about Him. The action was calculated to center their attention on Him for the final act of His mission. "It would be needful for His church in all succeeding ages to make His death for the sins of the world a subject of deep thought and study. ...the events which preceded His great sacrifice must be such as to call attention to the sacrifice itself.

"After such a demonstration as that attending His entry into Jerusalem, all eyes would follow His rapid progress to the final scene."2

Hear Him pleading...

Look at me...


Watch me die...


for you.

"The events connected with this triumphal ride would be the talk of every tongue, and would bring Jesus before every mind. After His crucifixion, many would recall these events in their connection with His trial and death. They would be led to search the prophecies, and would be convinced that Jesus was the Messiah; and in all lands converts to the faith would be multiplied."3

Do I by my life, be it a humble lot or exalted station, calculate my every action to point their eyes to His superlative sacrifice?

Would I do what He bids me even if I knew the results will be my demise?

Would I...

The events which preceded His great sacrifice must be such as to call attention to the sacrifice itself.  


He clearly foresaw the result. 

"It would bring Him to the cross."

1) DA 571.2
2) Ibid.
3) DA 571.3

One question...

Why are you a Christian?