Have you read part 1 of this message? What the Lord said in Isaiah 59:1- 2 can be put in other words as follows: ‘I want to be close to you. I want to be a Dad to you, having fun with you as we take on the enemies of the Kingdom on a daily basis. I want to show you my power and have you enjoy My blessings and success for your life, but I have one serious problem. I can’t share a home with a sinful lifestyle because it brings dishonour to My name in both the physical and spiritual realm, and therefore build up a wall of resistance between us. Your feelings of guilt then prevent you to be relaxed in my presence and my hatred of sin prevents me to be in the presence of sin and therefore your presence.'
Please note that nobody is without sin (1 John 1:8). All our sins are forgiven in Jesus Christ though. We sin accidentally as well as wilfully sometimes, but “if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness,” (1 John 1:9). The problem, however, is consistent disobedience to commands from the written Word and commands we know the Lord has spoken into our hearts. If we persist with this sin we are like displeasing children to an earthly dad – the relationship is hindered and discipline is unavoidable. “Because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son. Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father?” (Hebrews 12:6-7).
However, instead of this family-type intimacy towards God, what do many Christians do? Do we not keep a respectful distance between a “stern and strict Father God” and us, only communicating with Him as if He is far away? Why do we not allow Abba (Daddy) Father and big brother Jesus to show themselves to us, making home with us? Maybe because obedience and therefore intimate love would cost us too much in terms of our worldly comfort and desires. If such is the case, have we not chosen Mammon in our hearts?
In conclusion I would like to include a beautiful and relevant story I have once received.
Twinkies and Root Beer
A little boy wanted to meet God. He knew it was a long trip to where God lived, so he packed his suitcase with Twinkies and a six-pack of Root beer and started his journey. When he had gone about three blocks, he met an old man sitting in the park just staring at some pigeons. The boy sat down next to him and opened his suitcase. He was about to take a drink from his root beer when he noticed that the old man looked hungry, so he offered him a Twinkie. He gratefully accepted it and smiled at him. His smile was so pleasant that the boy wanted to see it again, so he offered him a root beer. Again he smiled at him. The boy was delighted!
They sat there all afternoon eating and smiling, but they never said a word. As it grew dark, the boy realised how tired he was and got up to leave, but before he had gone more than a few steps, he turned around, ran back to the old man and gave him a hug. He gave him his biggest smile ever.
When the boy opened the door to his own house a short time later, his mother was surprised by the look of joy on his face. She asked him, “What did you do today that made you so happy?”
“I had lunch with God,” he replied. Before his mother could respond he added, “You know what? He’s got the most beautiful smile I’ve ever seen!”
Meanwhile the old man returned to his home also radiant with joy. His son was stunned by the look of peace on his face and he asked what made him so happy.
“I ate Twinkies in the park with God,” he replied. Before his son responded he added, “You know he is much younger than I expected.”
Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment or the smallest act of caring all of which have the potential to turn a life around. People come into our lives for a reason, a season or a lifetime. Embrace all equally!
Lord, please come and live with me.
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