Pending Judgment - I Rejected God

via TJC

But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions--it is by grace you have been saved. - Ephesians 2:4-5

In the Bible, Hosea marries a prostitute named Gomer. She runs away to prostitute again, and ends up a slave. God commands Hosea to purchase her back, his own wife, even though she was already his. 

What would you do if that happened to you? How ashamed would you be, wandering the streets looking for your wife who was back turning tricks and only to pay the full price to buy her back? 

When I was younger, I loved God, but I put him to the test. First I prayed and then I demanded (in his name) the things that I desired. When I didn’t receive those things, I rejected God. I became an Atheist, rejecting his very existence. Finally, I worshiped myself as the source of reason and direction. There was no shortage of others to help me reason myself into bondage. 

My heart became a slum. When I heard God calling my name in the streets, I locked the door and shut the blinds. “Whose out there?”, I asked. The evil one said, “I don’t know - some loser. Besides, this is my house now.”

God found me enslaved and He purchased my freedom, but I ran away again. He chased me. He bought me again and again and still again. Every time that I ran away, he was there with my ransom, only to face my childish demands, and subsequent rejection. 

In my heart, I said “Father I can’t do this. I’m only going to hurt you again.” 

He said, “I’ll find you again, son.” I realized that his love was beyond what reason could explain. 

I said, “Father, if only I had just been still and listened to your voice.” He said, “True, but you’re listening now.” 

I said, “I can’t do this.” He said, “Stay for a while. I’ll make supper. I could make my home, here, in your heart. Here, get that broom while I hold the dust pan. We’ll clean up together.” I couldn’t stop crying. 

Daily Battle Order:

10 out of 10 reasonable people agree: If your wife rejects her family and runs away again and again, then leave her to the life she deserves. However, there is no reasoning for God’s love. All I needed to do was stop and listen with the eyes of the heart to finally see that. Stop reasoning yourself away from God. 

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You’re invited!

Please join The Joshua Commission leadership over Zoom this coming Saturday for a lesson on victory. This lesson will be a virtual version of a lesson you might receive with us at a battlefield event. Please join us Saturday, November 5th at 9:00 am Eastern: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89652926018?pwd=dmN3RlErOGJsR3JlN0l0TnZzZHAydz09