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Respite For the Weary
All too often, we choose to keep our dirty clothes on. We're too comfortable; we're too guilty; we're too passive; we're too self-righteous; we're too afraid to take the risk. If we really knew what it meant to wear his robe we would not hesitate to have Jesus himself wrap us in it. He's holding it up for us to put one arm in, then the other. Will we?
Who needs grace, raise your hand.
My hand is up high. I need grace upon grace!
In my newly released children's book Christmas Morning, a little girl unwraps her final gift. She opens a box to find...a crimson red rode. It's velvety soft, and on the pocket, her name is monogrammed in white. After all the other gifts she has opened (see previous posts) she is humbled that this exquisite robe was hand-stitched, made uniquely for her. When the little girl puts the robe on, she feels like she is wearing love itself.
Symbolically, the name of this gift is the robe of amazing grace and it is meant for each one of us who knows Jesus as Savior.
Can you believe the King of kings took off his royal robe and gave it to you and me? But even before he did this act, he, in his lovingkindness, first took off our own filthy garments. All our sin was removed and placed on him at the cross. He dealt with it there completely. It is finished.
Then he robed us in his righteousness. Now that's amazing grace!
Here are a few verses that speak into this truth:
I will greatly rejoice in the Lord; my soul shall exult in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation; he has covered me with the robe of righteousness... Isaiah 61:10
Now Joshua was standing before the angel, clothed with filthy garments. And the angel said to those who were standing before him, “Remove the filthy garments from him.” And to him he said, “Behold, I have taken your iniquity away from you, and I will clothe you with pure vestments.” Zechariah 3:3-4
For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich. 2 Corinthians 8:9.
And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. But the father said to his servants,‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate. Luke 15:21-24
All too often, we choose to keep our dirty clothes on. We're too comfortable; we're too guilty; we're too passive; we're too self-righteous; we're too afraid to take the risk. If we really knew what it meant to wear his robe we would not hesitate to have Jesus himself wrap us in it. He's holding it up for us to put one arm in, then the other. Will we?
In the story, I chose crimson red for the robe because it represents royalty. When we accept Christ, we belong to a kingdom that will out last and out shine anything this world has to offer.
Become the little girl in Christmas Morning. Marvel at his amazing grace and humbly wear his robe. It's yours--your name is monogrammed on the pocket.
You are his.
Thursday
Picture: House (Rebuilder/ Restorer)
Scripture: Isaiah 57:14-15; Isaiah 58:12; Isaiah 61:4; Jeremiah 31:3-4; Ezekiel 36:33-36
Write any phrases from the selected Bible verses that speak to you:
Visualize for a minute a house either being built or remolded. With this picture in mind, a message of hope comes to us. Not only do we have a Builder, we also have a Rebuilder. Sometimes the chaos of sin or circumstance enters and reeks havoc in our lives; BUT, no mess is too big for our Savior. He can redeem anything, causing all things to be even more beautiful than before.
Is there something that God has placed on your heart “to build” that is based on His foundational truths?
Is there a time in your life that you have experienced “beauty from ashes” due to God’s redeeming love? Explain.
Write a prayer using the above verses as a reference.
Monday
Picture: Sheep (the Good Shepherd)
Scripture: Psalm 23; Isaiah 40:11; 1 Peter 5:7
Write any phrases from the selected Bible verses that speak to you:
Imagine a modern day shepherd tending to his sheep. See him leading, protecting, grooming, and feeding all his sheep. Just as this guardian has many roles in caring for his flock, so does our Good Shepherd concerning His people.
In Psalm 23, what verse speaks to you most concerning the Lord as your Shepherd?
In what ways do you personally feel the Lord’s care for you in your current life circumstances?
Write a prayer using the above verses as a reference.
Wednesday
Picture: Sheep (going astray, scattered)
Scripture: Isaiah 53:6; Psalm 119:176; Matthew 26:31; Ezekiel 34:11-16; Matthew 18:10-13
Write any phrases from the selected Bible verses that speak to you:
Close your eyes and envision a sheep wandering off far away from the flock only to get caught on a dangerous sloping hillside. Now see the Shepherd’s relentless pursuit in both finding and rescuing this lost sheep. So often, we get ourselves into our self-created messes, but thankfully our Savior comes to the rescue when we cry out with a repentant heart.
In what way have you felt your Shepherd come to you rescue you from a precarious situation?
After your rescue by your Good Shepherd, what was your reaction?
Write a prayer using the above verses as a reference.
Friday
Picture: House (living with lights on!)
Scripture: Psalm 36:8-9; Psalm 40:8-10; Matthew 5:14-16; 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12
Write any phrases from the selected Bible verses that speak to you:
Envision a house on a hilltop at night with all the lights on and many people visiting inside. Much like this picture, our faith in God is not only a strong refuge for us, but it is also a place for others to draw near so they can experience the light and love of Christ in the things we say and do.
What are reasons that might keep you from shining your light for Him (ex. busyness, fear, discomfort…)?
Who are some people in your daily life in which you want to shine your light for the Lord? Name them and write practical ways in which you can do so.
Write a prayer using the above verses as a reference.
Wednesday
Picture: House (cornerstone to completion)
Scripture: Isaiah 28:16; Isaiah 54:11-14; 1 Corinthians 3:11-16; 1 Peter 2:4-5
Write any phrases from the selected Bible verses that speak to you:
Synonyms for the word “cornerstone” are: centerpiece, mainspring, core, heart. Cornerstone is the main stone that holds the two joining walls of the house together. From this secure place the house is built, brick by brick. Likewise, our spiritual cornerstone is Christ, in which all things stem from Him as we build our lives.
What are practical ways in which you can keep Jesus as the centerpiece of your daily life?
What are some hallmark “bricks” that have been laid in your life, recently or in the past, in
relation to decisions made based on God’s word?
Write a prayer using the above verses as a reference.
Monday
Picture: Body (the Head/the mind)
Scripture: Ephesians 1:22-23; Colossians 1:16-18; Colossians 2:8-10; Romans 12:1-2;
1 Corinthians 2:16
Write any phrases from the selected Bible verses that speak to you:
Today’s focus is both on the Head and the mind. First think about the knowledge and power of a any king or president over his country and people. He is the head of state, but it is the people’s choice to follow his rule or to rebel. Likewise, Christ has sovereign control over each of His children individually and also His church collectively; however He gives each on of us a free will to make decision to obey or disobey His love-based rulership. Jesus, the Head and the perfect Ruler implores us to transform our minds to think like Him, and as a result, behave like Him.
When you make decisions, both small and big, do you take it to the Lord your Ruler in prayer? Explain a time in which you did or did not take this route.
Does God’s word dictate the things you say and do? Give an example in which a particular Bible verse (or biblically-based thought) came to mind and you choose to obey/disobey.
Write a prayer using the above verses as a reference.
In the morning, O Lord, You will hear my voice; in the morning I will order my prayer to You and eagerly watch. Psalm 5:3
Dear Lord,
Wake us up to you; yes, wake us up to you. Come, teach us through your holy word and your abiding Spirit. Be our guide from the first step of our day to the last. In Jesus' Name, Amen.