Nurtured!

Nurtured!

Isaiah 40:11 AMPC

[11] He will feed His flock like a shepherd: He will gather the lambs in His arm, He will carry them in His bosom and will gently lead those that have their young.

As we considered yesterday, sin brings shame and reproach. We see this in the lives of the people of Judah, and the years of punishment that followed their rebellion against God. It has to be continually emphasized that God has no favourites when it comes to sin, and He will punish sin, no matter in whom it is found. His standards are high; his expectation from those who claim to know Him are high. The fact that He is using you does not mean that He does not have alternatives, if you think that you are indispensable, and can do whatever it is you want. However, you also get a clear picture of the mercy and love of God for His creation. If God were to mark iniquity, and punish to the full extent of His law, none of us would be alive today. We all stand here today because of God's mercy, but it is also a reminder that we must strive not to take the mercy we have received for granted. 

As the verse above makes clear, God wants to step in and do His part, but we must work with Him to bring His plan to pass. What does God want to do? The verse above lists a few things: he wants to feed us with that which we need. He made and formed us, and knows where the shoe pinches. His knowledge of us makes Him uniquely qualified to supply what is required for life and Godliness. He is also the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our afflictions. I note that nowhere in the Bible does He promise us a life free from pressure, but He does promise His presence and power, which are more important than all the supply that the world can promise you. When all has failed, and it appears all strength is gone, you realise that He has been carrying you all along and it has not been about ability, capacity or capability. Which would you rather have in a crisis: the world on your side, or the Word of God on your side? 

Even when life happens, and I am at my weakest, needy or dependent due to issues of life, God promises to lead gently. I note that this means that there is no room for stagnation. I am not allowed to engage in any pity party; God's presence as my Shepherd fills me with the desire to push through the hurt, the pain, the disappointment and the disasters, to the place God has prepared for me. There is no challenge that God does not have an answer for. There is no situation so far gone that the grace of God cannot change or correct. It is important to note that one of the key words in the verse above is: shepherd. That gives the picture of the conditions for accessing all that God provides. God does not force Himself on anyone, or go against the exercise of my freewill, but He will do mighty things and absolute wonders in any life that has been given to Him. Have you given Him your life? God's time of favour is here.