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Another morning rises up before me
Jesus said to the Jews who believed him, “If you remain in my word, you are truly my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.“ – from John 8
My eyes are closed as I ponder this passage. Suddenly I realize how close I am to sleep, just sitting here, and I open my eyes again. The bible screen has disappeared, replaced by scrolling pictures of bears and mountains and sunsets. I feel a little guilty, like the disciples in Gethsemane. I couldn’t even stay awake five minutes? Apple knows what to do. Show me some pretty pictures.
Jesus asks so little: “Remain in my word.” That word “remain” is translated as “hold to, be faithful to, abide in, continue in, live by, hold fast to” my word. The Message says, “If you stick with this, living out what I tell you, you are my disciples for sure.”
For sure. That’s what I want. When they were about to be thrown in the fire, Nebuchadnezzar’s three chosen ones with the wacky names told him they were confident in God’s rescue. “But even if he does not,” they said, they were sticking with this, this covenant they had with their God. They were his disciples for sure.
When I fall asleep instead of praying, I know God does not fall asleep. I don’t keep the covenant, but I know God does. On Sunday Pastor Jeff pointed out that when Moses asked God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh?” God spoke about himself. “I will go with you.” He only needed Moses’ permission, and then God would do the God-work.
“God will never leave you nor forsake you.” The words are there, in the Old Testament and New. These words gird up our confidence, not in ourselves, but in God.
I think the best I can do to “remain” in God’s word is to return to it over and over when I find myself falling away. My body fails me, my mind distracts me, my will is weak. I look for something or someone to blame. Margaret made me do it. But these and any other excuses compound the problem. Instead of just hiding from God, I hide from myself as well.
It’s better for me to grant God the space to be gracious, to keep his promises, and to confess that I have not. Then we can start again.
Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee, Lord, from your presence? New every morning is your love, O Lord. Great is your faithfulness. We can hold resolutely to the hope we confess, because You, who promised, are faithful.
http://www.davesandel.net/category/lent-easter-devotions-2017/
http://www.christiancounselingservice.com/archived_devotions.php?article_id=1591
