Day 39, April 6, 2007
The state of things when the Old Testament closes, is not very encouraging. Israel, having been disciplined by God through exile, the loss of her homeland, and the loss of her temple, has now been able to return, rebuild, and restore. But very quickly, the idolatry and complacency of old sets in, and when the book closes, religion has degenerated into nothing more than an outward form and ritual.
Clearly what’s needed isn’t more moral instruction teaching us how to be good people. Such instruction has been given, and has proven inadequate. It’s become clear that the problem isn’t that we don’t know what to do, but rather that we’re incapable of doing that which we know. “Remember the law?” - Yes. But what’s needed is greater capacity to fulfill the law – capacity which will come finally and fully when the Messiah comes.
And that of course, is where we’re left – longing for the One who will come and restore all things, including the hearts of men and women, so that we have the capacity of fulfilling our destiny – a fulfillment available only as we make ourselves dependent on the One who died and rose again to both forgive and fill us.
Thank you Jesus...
…for your coming to earth
…for your humble availability
…for your example of service, holiness, joy, and love of enemies
…for your obedience in death
…for the forgiveness your death provides
…for your resurrection life
…for the reality that you live in us today
…for the possibility that we can live this day on the basis of your strength
….for the fruit that you desire to bring to this world through us.
As we make all that we are available to you, we thank you in advance for what you will do both in us and through us, using us to shine as lights of hope in the darkness of this broken world. What a privilege. What a joy. And what an adventure awaits us. Forgive us for holding back. We offer ourselves to you wholly. In Your Great Name we Pray, Amen
posted by Richard Dahlstrom @ 3:54 PM
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