Washed Squeaky Clean in the Blood of Another

How often I think I must "do" when the Lord says its "done." Tetelestai! (John 19: 30) How appropriate, since we approach tomorrow (Good Friday) the day when we remember the Lord's sufferings for us upon Golgotha's tree. I think to myself, "Oh, I know this already, but when it comes right down to it, I act (and feel) like I don't really believe it.

I have undergone health problems for the past month or so and lately, became somewhat lethargic and just wanted to sleep the day away. Instead of just accepting that this was one way of God letting the rest heal me, I fretted over not getting anything accomplished in my house, or with my writing, really having nothing to show for the day at all. Just lots and lots of sleep.

Do you think the Lord was upset over the fact that I wasn't doing much? No, but somehow I got into this slave mentality thinking, basing my "merit" on works.(Yep, just like Martin Luther!) I should know this by now, the Lord deems us all as pitiable, for that is why He had to come and do all for us, bear the full weight of all our sins and iniquities upon His back upon the wood of Golgotha. I love what our friend David the Psalmist says in Psalm 103:

Psalm 103:10 He has not dealt with us according to our sins, Nor punished us according to our iniquities

11 For as the heavens are high above the earth, [So] great is His mercy toward those who fear Him;

12 As far as the east is from the west, [So] far has He removed our transgressions from us.

13 As a father pities [his] children, [So] the LORD pities those who fear Him.

14 For He knows our frame; He remembers that we [are] dust.

The Hebrew word for pity is racham. In the Hebrew lexicon it is #7355 and means " to love, love deeply, have mercy, be compassionate, have tender affection, have compassion"

http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=H7355&t=NKJV


For me to even think I can add something is shameful.


Today is a new day though. I woke up rested and aware that the Father has magnificent love for me, even though it seems a battle rages inside me to believe it. How could He love someone like me?

Well, the answer comes that it comes from Him the Giver Himself and of His own essence, which is Love.

Psalm 130:3 If You, LORD, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand?

4 But [there is] forgiveness with You, That You may be feared.

5 I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, And in His word I do hope.

6 My soul [waits] for the Lord More than those who watch for the morning--[Yes, more than] those who watch for the morning.

There, we have it! We do not have to go around the world searching! Right in the book of Psalms again we hear that the Lord will not, cannot hold our iniquities against us! For Jesus Christ's sake, He cannot! The main problem I have, (and if I may be so bold to suggest that maybe some reading may have too) is our own guilt and shame over our iniquities that holds us back from fully daring to receive it all from Him. It is certainly not God or His Son who stops us as Christ was poured out as the Final Sacrifice upon the cross for us that day outside Jerusalem.

Oh, Lord let me wait like the Psalmist in joyful expectation, knowing that all my shortcomings, failures and faults have been washed clean in the Blood of the Lamb. Thank You, no matter what is happening in this world, I can place my confidence in You for Your free gift of salvation. Amen.


One last note- For a testimony of one man who received the grace and love of God after losing everything he had in this world materially at age nine, tune in to CBS's 60 Minutes for an interview with Bishop Abraham Nhial, one of the original Lost Boys of Sudan. It will be aired Easter Sunday evening, check your local listings.