I woke up this morning with a phrase in my head. “Isn’t that just like Jesus?” It is still in my head. Perhaps I had been thinking about writing my devo this morning and that phrase came to mind. Also, the idea that we are to be pursuing, seeking, chasing Jesus. What does it all mean? I am not sure, but I do know we are meant to explore it today. So, let’s look at what the Word of God says about pursuing Jesus:
Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Hebrews 4:16 NIV
Can you imagine going up to a king and asking for some grace or mercy? This verse takes my mind to the Wizard of Oz movie where the “man behind the curtain” doles out what Dorothy, the scarecrow and the cowardly lion need. They approach the curtain with fear and trembling, but they go because that know that the “great and wonderful Oz” can solve their problems. How do they know? They were told by others.
Isn’t that just like Jesus? Wow. Thank you Lord, for this thought this morning! You are so faithful! We are told by others in the Bible, inspired by God, that we can approach Jesus, the great and wonderful Savior! He will give us what we need. Like the imaginary Oz, maybe not exactly what we asked for, but what we need. When we seek Jesus, we will always find Him. In seeking, we sometimes have to chase Him so the world cannot influence us, I think. (that’s a whole other thought, maybe for tomorrow, or as God leads) Aren’t you glad the person we seek knows understands us because He was human like us? We can be confident when we approach Jesus! Taken from the same chapter, Hebrews 4: 13-15(NIV) says:
Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Hebrews 4: 14-15(NIV)
It’s like playing hide-n-seek but Jesus and God are not hidden. Spiritually, we know where they are and they know where we are. One more thing popped into my head just now about finding Jesus; it is the story of the blind man who had full confidence in Jesus.
The story from Luke 18:35-42 goes like this…Jesus was on His way to Jericho. A blind beggar heard some commotion and asked the people around him what was going on. When they told him that Jesus was passing by, he shouted “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” The people told him to be silent, so what did he do? He yelled even louder, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” He couldn’t see exactly where Jesus was, but he had full confidence, by calling him the Son of David, that He was the Savior.
In verse 42, this happens! “Receive your sight!” Jesus replied. “Your faith has healed you.”
That beggar may have been blind physically, but not spiritually. He knew in His heart that Jesus was the answer to his problem. That makes him wiser than those who seek answers in the world. The world will tell us to quiet down and act a certain way, but I think we need to chase, beg and pursue Him as if our lives depended on it, which they do.
Dear Jesus,
It is just like You to be there for us, to hear our plea and give us what we need. Let it be “just like us” to chase, pursue and implore You for our needs, because we have full confidence that You can do it. Give us better spiritual eyes to see what You can do and what the world will try and do to stop us from drawing Your attention. Remind us to go to Your teachings and God’s Word for answers before going to popular advice. You know us better than we know ourselves. We love You! Amen
GROWwork: Go to Jesus with your impossible situation, believing that He can and will give you what you need to get through your trial. Ask Him in full confidence, because You know He can.
Love and prayers to all,
Tina
Glory in the Morning 