But my mouth would encourage you; comfort from my lips would bring you relief.
Job 16:5 (NIV)
| Resister's Hardship by Cathy Vinson |
I wonder what any reasonable response would
be at this particular juncture. Consider finally having the opportunity to confront our
persecutor, who has severely, decisively hurt us and killed our own offspring. In even our
most decent estimation of our gracious God, we might expect something like this: "I
am Jesus. You have killed 550 of my servants, left 2,000 orphans, ruined 100's of
families, and devastated numerous churches. Their tears and sorrows have reached into My
ears." But look at what He does say: "It is HARD for you..." Oh, the volumes this speaks of Who our Jesus is and What He is like! "Hard" (skeleos) come from skellos-dry. It means trying and exacting. Jesus is telling Saul He has continually seen and felt how tiring and wearying it has been FOR Saul to resist Him and hurt Him. He, more than Saul, realizes this hardship. We are seeing in full view how Jesus realizes the hardship of the one who resists His overtures. He not only pains over the rejection of Him, but the self-infliction caused upon His resister. Oh, merciful Jesus that our God is! Psalms 32 gives us the weight and feel of this hardness which our glorious Savior sees, bears, yearns over... "When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer. Then I acknowledged my sin..." (3-5a) Don't we love Jesus!! In His moment of totally justified condemnation, what does He do? what does He say? "Saul, WHY..." and then embraces Saul in this SHARED hardship. He reveals His Heart, the Heart we so long to know. He reveals His Heart for each resister. Might we put on Christ anew! Put Him on as we go out to a world of those underneath such hardship who unknowingly wait for Mercy which will embrace them within it. |
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| "I am Jesus...it
is hard for you..." (Acts 9:5) |
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Send a note to Cathy Vinson , the writer of this devotion.
Other Whispers from the Wilderness Devotions are found HERE
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