Let the Healing Begin

When I think about the character of God, it is not too far-fetched to look around and see the ‘sign of the times’. Over the last several months, I have witnessed the hand of God in many ways that have left me awe-stricken. My reverence for Him continues to grow. In late February, I witnessed all four seasons in one week. I will never forget how ‘BIG’ and enormous God became. His sovereignty is steadily becoming more clearer. Today, as I sit still and seek God through this time of dubiety, I see God as not only sovereign but also ‘Just’ in a more reverential way. My vision of justice according to the principles of God has been renewed. God’s sovereignty and justice go hand in hand.

In this world there will be suffering. Who welcomes suffering? Whether God’s sovereignty is an act of His divine wrath or His permissive will. In both, God is ‘Just’ in His causation or permission. What is our role during suffering? Our role is to continue in our devotion and obedience to God. Be steadfast!

God has already put in place divine injunctions. Let’s us revisit the ‘thou shall nots’, (have no other gods before Him, not to make any idols, not take the name of the Lord our God in vain, not forget about the Sabbath day and it’s holiness (don’t be distracted by this one), do no dishonor your parents, no murdering, no committing adultery, no stealing, no lying on others, no coveting, “yearning or aching after possessions”), referencing Exodus 20:3-17, The Ten Commandments.

Jesus summarized this Moral Law while answering a question to a group of Pharisees, specifically a lawyer, by responding the greatest commandment in the Law is love (Love of God and Love of others), “37 Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ ³⁸ This is the first and great commandment. ³⁹ And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ ⁴⁰ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets”Matthew 22:37-40.

Take notice, none of these commands are passive in nature. They all take being intentional and an act of will, or should I say, “Will not”, mostly. During this God-given gift of social-stillness and while you still have time, please do a self-examination, (not self-condemnation), earnestly seeking the Holy Spirit to disclose to you areas of where you have been disengaged in your obedience to the commands of the Lord. I am reminded, Be Holy, for I am Holy, “¹⁴ as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; ¹⁵ but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, ¹⁶ because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy”, 1 Peter 1:14-15.

As the Holy Spirit convicts and encourages you, confess your sins followed by repentance. This is not easy, but necessary. I leave you with a scripture that has surfaced contextually.  Don’t just read and quote verse 14 but also study 13, 15 & 16 as well, “¹³ If I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or if I command the locust to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among My people, ¹⁴ and My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land. ¹⁵ Now My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to the prayer offered in this place. ¹⁶ For now I have chosen and consecrated this house that My name may be there forever, and My eyes and My heart will be there perpetually”, 2 Chronicles 7:13-16.

“⁸ If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. ⁹ If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. ¹⁰ If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us”, 1 John 1:9. There is healing in confession and purity, let it begin with you and me.

I leave you with this encouragement, God is sovereign and whatever He divinely or permissively decides, He is “JUST’ and so it shall be. Trust Him!

The journey flows…