Can You Imagine

I was reading the Word this morning and a thought was dropped into my mind, and that thought was, ‘Can you imagine what the Lord has done for you, if you are a believer?’  

We know we have all sinned and the Bible says the wages of sin is death and that is what our punishment should be, but the Lord had another plan that He provided for all of us.  Because of God’s grace, instead of destroying us, He would redeem us, praise God!  

Now think about this, because of the Israelite’s rebellion God allowed King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon to rule over them.  They were to be exiles in Babylon for 70 years.  There were prophets in that day that predicted that it wouldn’t happen, but it did.  God hates sin and there are always consequences for it.

But in the midst of it all, God’s redemptive plan was in place.  Even in our rebellion, God’s redemptive plan is in place.  It is hard to imagine the love, mercy and patience of God.  He told the Israelites what they should do and how they should act in their captivity in Babylon.  But this is the exciting part, He didn’t leave them without hope; no, this is what the Lord said, “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my gracious promise to bring you back to this place.  For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord.  Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:10-13 

This is an encouraging message for all of us. God is able and willing to punish sin but there is always forgiveness for the person with the humble and contrite heart who repents and turns from their wicked ways.  His plan isn’t to harm us, but to prosper us and to give us a hope and a future because He loves us and wants the very best for us.  But there is something else God wants us to do and that is to seek Him with all our heart.  If we do that we will be sure to find Him.

As I sit here thinking of all the sin and rebellion that has taken place since Adam and Eve, I think how does God continue to love and forgive us?  When I think of my own sins, which if they were piled on top of each other would be higher than the sky, why hasn’t He just destroyed us all because that is what we deserve.  If you and I were honest, and we had the power God has, and we could eliminate some people that have sinned against us wouldn’t there be a few people missing, or would it be many.  Thank the Lord we don’t possess that kind of power.  It is hard to imagine a God that is so compassionate, kind, loving and merciful and much, much more like our God is.

Read these words in Isaiah 55:6–9, “Seek the Lord while He may be found, call on Him while He is near.  Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts.  Let him turn to the Lord and He will have mercy on him, and to our God for He will surely pardon. For my thoughts are not your thoughts neither are your ways my ways declares the Lord. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”  Now you know why it is so hard to imagine God’s attributes and His way of thinking!

There are a lot of so called gods in this world but the one that we believers serve is the ultimate, awesome true God.  No one can compare to Him, praise His name.  When I think of what He has done for me and countless others I can’t help but thank and praise Him and I do it quite often.  I hope this encouraged you and helped you to reflect on the awesomeness of our God.  Are you thanking and praising Him daily?  I hope you are.  He is totally worthy of all our praise and thanksgiving.  

And for anyone that doesn’t know Him personally He loves you. Take your sins to Him and ask for His forgiveness and He will freely pardon and forgive you.  Don’t put it off, seek Him while He can still be found.  

 God bless you all and have a great day.  And remember God inhabits the praise of his people so usher in His presence, start praising Him.