Awe and Gratitude – Part 2

Continuing Michael’s message from the last post: God calls the foolish things of this world to shame the wise and the weak things of the world to show his strength. The world will think we’re foolish for following the truth of the Word and for following our Lord Jesus Christ, the word made flesh. Jesus, before his crucifixion, wept over the city of Jerusalem. God had called the people of the city to worship him, but they rejected God’s word of truth and the gospel… his son, Jesus the Christ, the son of the living God. Philippians 3 says “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ.” He willingly laid aside his credentials as the promised Messiah and became a bondservant to serve God’s people in love. Jesus by His example taught His followers how to be servant-leaders. For the servant of the Lord must not strive, but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, and patient, in meekness serving those who oppose themselves.

David’s prayer of repentance is in Psalm 51:7-10: “Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.”

It’s by God’s provision and by His mercy and grace that we can walk according to the good pleasure of his will. For in Christ, He has made unto us wisdom and righteousness and sanctification and redemption. Our strength and wisdom is in Him alone. We become more like Jesus as we follow in His footsteps. God will put in our hearts to make our desire His desire. As Psalm 37:4 says, “Delight thyself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.” When our heart’s desire is God’s desire, when His will is our will, then our hearts are aligned with God’s heart….then it is God who works in you to will and to do of His good pleasure.

God has chosen us, appointed us and invited us to walk in fellowship with Him. His calling is to sanctification and holiness … to set us apart according to His purpose … that we should be to the praise of the glory of His grace.

For what are you thankful? When we’re thankful for our Lord Jesus Christ we can rejoice as Paul did … in everything give thanks. All God requires is that we keep a heart of awe and gratitude. For the Lord is good, His mercy is everlasting, and His truth endures to all generations.

May we ever live to the praise of the glory of His grace!
Your brother in Christ, Michael