Page 55 - Living Light 86

Friday November 1 - Worthy because he says so
...since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart... Hebrews 10:21-22
I recall a story from John Blanchard who visited a school and shared with teenagers about the love of God, and how Jesus cared for them and wanted them to experience this. Afterwards, two crying teenagers complained that he had made them feel incredibly guilty and down about themselves! Love is difficult to receive because deep down we don’t feel worthy of it. Our human condition makes us shrink back from God’s love, and in my experience as a church pastor and a mental health chaplain, no amount of persuasion will convince those with a negative view of themselves that they are worthy of his love. This is where psychology and counselling, of which I’m an advocate, have severe limitations.
We allow ourselves to draw near to God, sincerely, only through the revelation that this is possible not because of who we are, but rather who Jesus is and what he has done. The author of Hebrews puts it like this: ‘For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathise with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are – yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need’ (Hebrews 4:15-16).
Father, today I draw near to you with sincerity and confidence, not because of me but because of Jesus. Thank you for saving me! Amen.
Saturday November 2 - More righteous than God?
But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat
down at the right hand of God. Hebrews 10:12
I have a friend who became a Christian from a terrible background. She was passionate about God, full of gratitude and a heartfelt worshipper. But then she would dive-bomb into spiritual depression, pushing God away because she felt she wasn’t worthy. I became tired of riding this rollercoaster with her, so one day, I said, “It must be tough on God, knowing that you are more righteous than him!” She was stunned and began to protest. I said that although Jesus died, once and for all, the perfect sacrifice, and sat down at the right hand of the Father, my friend felt she was beyond God’s love and Jesus’ work.
I realise the complexity of our psychological history and hurts, so I won’t pretend that my words ‘fixed’ her immediately. What I do know, about myself and the people I meet in hospices, mental hospitals, churches, universities, online, and in my family and circle of friends, is that we all need atonement. If the sacrifice that Jesus made came with caveats or demands other than accepting him, then our salvation could be questioned. My friend would be right – we might not be good enough in the end. Instead, Jesus is the perfect sacrifice, offered once for all time. Please, please know that God accepts you fully because of Jesus. It is finished!
Father, help me to accept that I am yours and you are mine, completely. All is well between us because of Jesus. I receive it. I receive him, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
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PRAYER FOR TODAY
PRAYER FOR TODAY