A stiff breeze buffeted her face. Despair tormented her gut. She thrust her head backwards and lifted her eyes towards heaven. A staring contest with God ensued. Stubbornness hardened her heart. Grace melted her soul.
A sunbeam broke through the darkened clouds, its focus on the saturated earth. The girl's eyes followed the droplets of water vapor, watching as they rose along the warm shaft, drawing the water back from whence it came. She sighed with the recognition of God's persistence in her life. She sighed as she contemplated God's grace falling freely from the heavens only to return as praise from her lips. Healing tears cascaded across cheeks hot from anguished cries. Her knees buckled beneath her as she bowed before her Maker.
Such is the cycle of God's love, the love with which He pursues His children.
As you read the following lyrics, I pray you will open the eyes of your heart to witness the persistent pursuit of God's love. The words are from Tenth Avenue North's "By Your Side"...
"Why are you striving these days?
Why are you trying to earn grace?
Why are you crying? Let me lift up your face.
Just don't turn away.
"Why are you looking for love?
Why are you still searching as if I'm not enough?
To where will you go, child? Tell me where will you run?
To where will you run?
"'Cause I'll be by your side wherever you fall.
In the dead of night, whenever you call.
And please don't fight these hands that are holding you;
My hands are holding you.
"Look at these hands at my side.
They swallowed the grave on that night when I drank the world's sin,
So I could carry you in and give you life;
I want to give you life.
"'Cause I'll be by your side wherever you fall.
In the dead of night, whenever you call.
And please don't fight these hands that are holding you;
My hands are holding you."
Who can fathom the love of God? Who can grasp the grace freely given at our point of need?
"Yes, let us know (recognize, be acquainted with, and understand) Him; let us be zealous to know the Lord [to appreciate, give heed to, and cherish Him]. His going forth is prepared and certain as the dawn, and He will come to us as the [heavy] rain, as the latter rain that waters the earth" ~ Hosea 6:3, Amplified Study Bible
Oh, cherish Him, Dear One. Why are you striving and trying to earn grace? Indeed. Why am I?
Blessed be the Name of the Lord!
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Thank you for your prayers last weekend as I spoke to the ladies of Mt. Pisgah Lutheran Church in Hickory, NC. We laughed and we cried as we learned to "Hide Beneath the Shadow of His Wings". This little Baptist pastor's wife basked in the anointing of God as you prayed. Thanks so much.
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If you received Morning Glory via email, please visit the Morning Glory page to hear Tenth Avenue North sing "By Your Side", the song whose lyrics I featured in my message. I know you'll be blessed.
Nan, this was a great one! Why do we try to earn grace? Wow...that's a sobering thought. We can do nothing to earn...we don't deserve it. But praise God, He gives it freely! Love you!
ReplyDeleteAmen, Jamie. Amen. We try to make the things of God so complicated when all we need to do is open our hearts to receive. Love you!
DeleteThank you for writing this. I have tried fighting the hands that are holding me only to realize that no matter how much I fight, Jesus never lets go. I now find myself clinging desperately to Him. I crave His peace and compassion and love. I have never been closer to Him than I am now. In my broken stupor as my world crumbles around me, I realize I need Him so much. He is my only constant in an everchanging world.
ReplyDeleteAmen! Isn't that the most powerful, comforting Truth of all? "He is my only constant in an everchanging world." On Christ the solid Rock we stand; all other ground is sinking sand. I love you little Rose.
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