Veronica Knepp who has been a wonderful help and friend to our family over the last several years was attending Heritage Bible School and was asked to draw a picture for the bulletin of the Bible School Chorus program. This is the picture she drew. The little girl was modeled after a photo of my lovely daughter Courtney.
The picture captures the essence of what I am attempting to promote on this blog. It is the idea that our majestic, almighty, omnipotent, all-knowing, ever-present God reaches down to us, the lowliest of low, and offers us forgiveness, restoration, and healing. Matthew 1:23 says “Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.” Think about that for a minute – God with us. Why would God come down to us? Why would He stoop to our level? What would cause Him to leave the magnificence of heaven for a world full of evil? What prompted Him to take on human flesh, live with common men and ultimately die a cruel death on a cross, when He knew that many would treat this incredible munificence with contempt and disdain? The only answer is love. This is not cheap love. This is not buddy buddy love. This is not just a heart twittering, sentimentally stirring, emotionally appealing, feel good love. This love is something inconceivable. It is powerful beyond words. As Alexander Means wrote in his powerful hymn many years ago,
What wondrous love is this that caused the Lord of bliss
to bear the dreadful curse for my soul, for my soul,
to bear the dreadful curse for my soul…
Another characteristic of the picture that I like is the fact that the one running to God is a child. The Bible talks highly of having a childlike heart of faith. We need to come to God like children – weak, vulnerable, and broken. We need to strive to have the same kind of trust in God that our children have in us. We need to be emptied of pride and any confidence we might have in our own knowledge and maturity. We need to be like a child. Remember, when He cam to earth, He became a child.
Like the little girl in the picture are you running to the hand of God or are you resisting Him? Remember, if God was willing to pour out His wrath on His only Son, He will not hesitate to pour it out on someone who rebuffs His wonderful gift of salvation. Or will He? Then again, I guess He has hesitated, in fact He is hesitating. Why… because He is a longsuffering God and not willing that any should perish, but He is also a God of justice.
My prayer for all who read this blog is that if you do not know the love of Christ that you would come to know it, and if you are a Christian and are confused, doubtful, and hurting please allow the Gentle Healer to minister to your heart. That’s why He came.
He is always there hearing every prayer faithful and true
Walking by our side in His love we hide, all the day through.
When you get discouraged just remember what to do,
Reach out to Jesus, He's reaching out to you. –Hoagy Carmichael
Tears are falling, hearts are breaking,
How we long to hear from God,
You’ve been promised, we’ve been waiting,
Welcome holy Child, welcome holy Child… - Chris Rice
