Seeing the Truth

For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, and abundant in loving kindness to all who call upon You. Psalm 86:5 (New American Standard Bible)

It occurred to me this morning that I still have mindsets that God wants to free me of. One is in the area of His forgiveness. I often think there is a difference in the way God views a repentant person who is first coming to Christ for salvation and a Christian who is coming to Him for forgiveness of sin. Sort of like He is more accepting and understanding of the first over the second. I see Him with open arms and joy over the person coming to know Him as Savior but a more reserved reception for the one who is already His child. Maybe that is due to the fact that I am harder on myself now than before I knew Christ or maybe it is because the body of Christ can sometimes differentiate between the two. Whatever the reason, Psalm 86:5 is giving me a more accurate picture of God’s nature and heart in the area of forgiveness.

Remember the father of the returning prodigal son? He was looking for his return, ran to meet him, embraced him, and lavished him with a ring, robe, sandals, and a feast! He saw him as one who had not only come back home but had come back to life. He was overjoyed at having his son back. Did it mean his son’s actions didn’t bother him? No. Did it mean he was never heartbroken over the rebellion? No. It means when his son came to him in brokenness, sorrow, and confession he was extravagant in his reception of him. God is no different but rather exceeds even that picture! That is what is so amazing about His mercy, grace, and love! Unexplainable, uncomprehendable, and unfathomable!

With tenderness God is once again probing my heart with questions He wants me to answer in honesty. Just as in the area of forgiveness there are other underlying thoughts He wants to bring to the surface and expose to the light of His Word. He is asking questions to heal not to condemn. Do I sense delight or disappointment in His eyes? Do I view His love as extravagant and unfailing or limited and conditional? Am I striving for or resting in His acceptance? Do I grasp the innumerable times He thinks of me or do I feel invisible to Him? Do I think He plays favorites or am I secure in being His much loved child? Do I sense a distance or a closeness to Him? The answers I give will reveal a lot about how I view God and how I feel He views me. They will reveal what my relationship with Him is really like. He is inviting me to allow Him to give me an honest picture of Himself. He wants me to bring the doubts, uncertainties, and insecurities to Him once again and embrace the truth of who He is and what He is like. I use to fear these kinds of sessions with Him. Now I have grown to value them!

Father, when it comes to Your love, forgiveness, and acceptance let me not only see and embrace the truth, but let me walk and dance in it today! Amen!

Power of Your Love - Hillsong
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ga6Qtxzd6vk

Getting into God's Word and letting God's Word get into me one truth at a time.