“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing." -Matthew 23:37
Is this not the same cry that we hear today? "O children of mine... how I long to spare you, to save you, to protect you... but you are not willing. You will not listen. You will not learn."
Have times changed so much? In some ways, yes. In other ways, it is certain that they have not.
This very Scripture echoes this proof throughout the centuries. God is still calling His people, His heart is still heavy, He still cries out for us. Yet through our ignorance and stubborness, we choose a different path; one that is absent of God.
The thought of the Lord of all creation, beckoning me, wanting to shelter me, is humbling. A God that watches from His high place, who deeply cares sabout something as small and insignificant (in my own eyes) as me. This is hard to comprehend. The thought that someone would willingly turn that away is even harder.
As my heart grows more in tune with Christ's, my understanding of this deepens. How heartwrenching it is to watch God's most precious creation choose seperation and death! The weight of this is heavy; the burden nearly unbearable. But why?? Why can people not see, not understand? Why is their hearts so hardened to the truth of the Gospel? We are so self indulgent and so self centered, that our own wants and desires trumps all else.
Salvation seems so simple. We are asked so little of, in the grand scheme of things, especially considering all that we have been given.
If we could see life from God's perspective- He intentionally made you, gave you life, purpose, and abundance of provision. He sacrificed His only Son, so that the life He provided you could continue beyond a moment in time, in a place of reward.
Yet, we deny Him. We don't acknowledge these things. We focus internally on our selves, not even realizing that this isn't what is best for ourselves. How terrible we are! How hurtful this must be to the One who personally designed us, breathing the very breath of life into our lungs! How disappointing we must be as a whole. It's the saddest story of all time... to live for a moment, with a chance of living an eternity as a prince, yet in our ignorance, we choose the furthest possible thing from this reality.
There's no particular point to be made in today's sharing. My heart is just hurting for people who willingly turn away from life; for people who are so casual with their Christianity; for people who are so indifferent to the facts that have been laid before them, proven, time and again. My heart aches...
My most gracious and loving Father...
Only you are worthy of our recognition, our honor, and our praise. Through your sacrifice, your Word, and the organization of all creation, you have vastly proven your immense love for your children. My heart bears great burden today for those whose hearts are hard. For those who ignore or reject the truth of your diety and your love. My soul weeps knowing the deep and lasting regret that they will experience. Help me, Lord, to minister to those who I can reach. Help me to share the truth of you, your love, and your acceptance. Reveal yourself to those who are seeking and interupt the lives of those who aren't... give them reason to cry out to you. To seek you earnestly. Let your spirit minister to people in our area whose time is limited and who need to experience you in a powerful way. I pray, from the depths of my spirit, that you will create a heart in me that witnesses to others in a way that pleases you. I am thankful for you, for your revelation of yourself to me, for your common grace and your ever abundant provision. Thank you. Thank you. May your will always superede my own. I pray your protection and grace over me and my family against all things evil. Answer these prayers, Lord, so that your name and your Kingdom may be glorified.
~ Devin
Devin Osborne
