A Father's Pride

"God is being patient with you. He does not want anyone to be lost, but he wants all people to change their hearts and lives"
- 2 Peter 3:9

If you welcome Jesus as your Savior, he promises you a new birth. "No one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again" (John 3:3). Does that mean your old nature will never reappear? Does that mean you will instantly be able to resist any temptation?

To answer those questions, compare your new birth in Christ to a newborn baby. Can a newborn walk? Can he/she feed themselves? Can he/she sing or read or speak? No, not yet. But someday they will.

It takes time to grow. But is the parent in the delivery room ashamed of the baby? Is the mom embarrassed that the infant can't spell? That the baby can't walk?  Or that a newborn can't give a speech? Of course not. The parents aren't ashamed they are proud. They know that growth will come with time. So does God.

Do you sometimes get frustrated with yourself? Do you feel your faith should be growing faster, your character stronger, your love for God deeper? Don't be too hard on yourself. Your Father doesn't expect instant maturity. Babies need time to grow up. So do Christians.

He Satisfies Me

"O my dove, in the cleft of the rock, in the crannies of the cliff, let me see your face, let me hear your voice, for your voice is sweet, and your face is lovely"  - Song of Solomon 2:14

Stress threatens to get the better of us and sometimes we just want to hide. Remembering that secret bar of chocolate in the pantry, we may scurry off to do just that; bury ourselves away with a temporary but sweet comfort that helps the world slow down, if only for a moment.

The same instinct can arise with God. We get overwhelmed by his ministry or overdue for his forgiveness or out of touch with his Word and lose track of who he is. Instead of running toward him, we hide from him and look for other ways to meet our needs. We cannot hide from him, and in love he calls out to us.

We cannot outrun his love for us, nor should we try. Instead, let's leave the false safety of the clefts and crannies, and run to him for safety. 

Feel the pleasure of his friendship - He wants to see your face and hear your voice. Is there anyone else who can satisfy you so perfectly?

He Is My Hiding Place

Wherever I am, though far away at the ends of the earth, I will cry to you for help. When my heart is faint and overwhelmed, lead me to the mighty, towering Rock of safety. For you are my refuge, a hightower where my enemies can never reach me"
- Psalm 61:2-3

Do you believe that you are precious to him? That he loves you with a fiercely protective, eternally faithful, inescapable love? He is true and worthy and invites you to bring him all of your hurts, pains, regrets, and brokenness so he can put it back together. Will you take refuge in his arms? Will you submit your wounds to his careful attention?