9/20/2023 0 Comments This is the Way
Now, I am a rule follower, but friend, I have never experienced such an obsession with God’s laws as is professed in Psalm 119. Have you? God gave Moses specific rules to follow, taught to each new generation of Hebrews. Prior to Jesus, people did not have direct access to God. Following these rules, and atoning when a rule was broken was not just a suggestion in their society, it was how they were able to experience God’s presence, community and be in right standing with Him (Gal. 3:24). For our psalmist, God’s laws were encouragement (119:23-24), comfort (119:49-50), and justice (119:95). We find the same reassurances in the Bible today. And, while King Solomon built God a temple so the Isrealite’s would have a place to come worship and sacrifice to God (1 Kings 6:11-14), we do not need a special place. We have scripture, and we have direct access to God. As believers, our bodies are His temple; the Holy Spirit lives within us (1 Cor. 6:19). God’s rules are important, but no longer the only way to know Him. The Mandelorians say “This is the Way” referring to their laws, but Jesus says “I am the way” (John 14:6). Because of Jesus, our High Priest (Heb. 4:14-16), and His sinless sacrifice on the cross, God can look at us as pure and in right standing with Him even if we still struggle with breaking some of His rules. We can draw near to God in prayer and when we do, God restores our soul to Himself (Heb. 7:25-28) and makes all things new in our lives if we ask (Rev. 21:5). What a blessing it is for us that we can know and experience God’s presence anywhere, everywhere and all the time. If you have been feeling far away from God, or maybe, like my son, have been struggling with obedience, I encourage you to draw near to Him today. He will meet you in the quiet confessions of your heart. If you have never invited Jesus into your life and would like to, just find a quiet place to pray: “God, thank you for giving me direct access to you through your Son, Jesus. I accept the sacrifice He made for me on the cross, please forgive my sins. I want to live a life in a relationship with you from this point forward. I turn away from my sin, and I turn to you. Amen.” “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever…” John 14:16 (NIV)
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Devotionals by AuthorAll Abby McDonald Alexa Gearhart Angi Morrison Anna Bearden Anne Say Audra Powers Breanna Faith Spearman Brenna Kurz Brittany Marlow Caroline Hultgren Courtney Filippin Dana Schaefer Danielle Biddy Debbie Burns Heather Kenny Jannetta Cox Jessica Parker Jess Ridgeway Joan Lavori Katelyn Wilson Katie Gibson Kelly Orlowski Kerri Barfield Keryn Stokes Kristen Williamson Laura Pendley Lindsay McNeely Lonette Baity Martha Rudolph Nancy Ehlinger Renee Robinson Saretta Wells Tara McGill Taylor Watkins Tierney Nashleanas Wendy Gerdes |