Friday, June 21, 2013

Broken..."It is good."

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. 2 Corinthians 4:7

 
 
The fact that we are weak, breakable folks is true--and though sometimes we doubt it, it is good!  I read in the OT today of the seige of Syria on Samaria (Nation of Israel).  The King was pierced with the suffering sinfulness had brought on the nation.  The realities caused him to tear his kingly robes, and that showed he was wearing sackcloth underneath.  But his orders reveal a heart still hard..."behead Elisha."  Recognizing sin (and the heartache it brings) is not the same as repenting.  Hard times are a gift to reveal what is deep inside (sometimes that means smashing our clay vessel).  And that is a blessing; we need to see our fraility and poverty.  God is never surprised by what lies inside us, and He is continually calling for us to enjoy the banquet prepared for us.  His love is perfect...nothing we do makes Him love us more or love us less.  He is our treasure; we are His!
 
There is a verse in Proverbs that encourages me--especially when I see another hurting.  God measures the weights on a man.  The weights of life purposefully show us the need for the Gospel...the good news that God knows our need and has lovingly met it in Jesus Christ.  It is that good news--the Gospel-- that gives us the power to live life! 
 
When the Spirit is invited into the core of our life, the Spirit flows out and transforms our lives.  Good news indeed!

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