– Secret Place Insights –
Dear One, how does God do it? How does He put up with me? Yesterday morning, when I began my quiet time with Him, as I usually do, by singing of His holiness, “Holy, holy, holy, holy holy, holy holy. Holy Father, Holy Jesus, Ho…” Right between singing the words, ‘Holy,’ and ‘Spirit,’ I was visualizing how I might make fluffier shortcake biscuits! I immediately asked for forgiveness, and made mention of how shameful it was to do such a thing. Of course, God knew how awful I felt about my behavior, and I know from His Word that He forgave me, and that under His amazing grace, I could begin again. Which I did. And yes, the rest of that precious time was inspiring and insightful. But, oh my, I have been having quiet times for years, and still, still, I can wander off into something as mundane as a biscuit making technique in the midst of sing/praying to the God Most High. “Oh, God, have mercy.” And He does. Thankfully, oh so thankfully.
So, again, that very morning, while reading Scripture, man’s frailties were made evident – not through some struggling biblical saint, but for the one reading. And the grace observed was not for another, but for me. We Christians hear it all the time, “We have an amazing God,” and because we do, we can, and do, at times, take God for granted. For this we must confess, and repent.
Oswald Chambers writes, “The greatest barrier to intercession is that we take ourselves so seriously, and come to the conclusion that God is reserved (distant) with us; He is not. God has to ignore things we take so seriously until our relationship to Him is exactly that of a child.” Matthew 18:3 “Become as little children.” A trusting, adoring child does not worry, and wring his little hands, he just looks up at his father or mother and smiles.”
We have all watched a toddler look up at a parent with complete confidence, trusting that the parent will provide everything for him. But as the child grows older, he finds, no matter how well equipped the parent, he or she cannot provide everything needed. But God, no matter what our age, can.
“The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.” Psalm 103: NIV
May we this day, look up and smile, grateful for our Father’s love and provision.
Blessings,
Susanne
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