Daily devotion – In awe of the God who loves me!
In Awe of God
As we covered Exodus 34 and Psalm 103 last Sunday, I found myself once again in awe of God—His mighty power, His grace, His mercy and His unfailing love.
Before I came to Christ in 1977, my concept of God was based largely on the premise that any relationship with Him depended upon my ability to keep His commandments. Like many Australians today, I thought of religion in terms of “do’s and don’ts”—rules and regulations that I had to keep in order to be good enough to go to Heaven.
I thought the Bible was essentially a book of rules by which I was expected to live.
But when I was born again and began to read the Bible for myself, carefully and in context, I discovered something that completely changed my understanding of God. The Bible was not primarily about what I must do for God; it was revealing what God had already done for me.
The more I read, the more I discovered the wonder of God’s love, His grace and His mercy. The Bible contains sixty-six books, yet throughout its pages we continually see the same glorious truth proclaimed: God has made a way for sinful people to be reconciled to Him through His grace.
And that grace is available to anyone who will come to Him in repentance and faith.
Perhaps one of the clearest pictures of this is found at Calvary.
Hanging beside Jesus was a thief who acknowledged his guilt. He knew he was a criminal and that he deserved judgment. But he also recognised something about the innocent Man hanging beside him. He recognised Jesus for who He truly was.
And so he cried out, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.”
What could that thief do?
Nothing.
He had no opportunity to perform religious duties, make restitution, attend church, be baptised, or somehow prove himself worthy. He could do absolutely nothing.
But Jesus did everything!
And Jesus gave him those wonderful words:
“Today you will be with Me in Paradise.”
What an incredible demonstration of grace!
The thief brought nothing to Jesus except his guilt, his repentance and his faith. Jesus brought everything—the forgiveness, the righteousness, the salvation and the promise of eternal life.
People sometimes wonder why I become emotional when I read about God’s grace, mercy and love.
It is because I know that God did everything necessary for me to be saved.
I know what I was, I know what I deserved, and I know what God has freely given me through Jesus Christ. I cannot earn it. I cannot repay it. I cannot boast about it.
I can only bow before Him in awe.
Psalm 103 reminds us:
“Bless the LORD, O my soul,
And forget not all His benefits.”
Have you stopped recently to consider His benefits?
He forgives our sins.
He redeems our lives.
He crowns us with lovingkindness and tender mercies.
He satisfies us with good things.
He is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in mercy.
This is our God!
So today, don’t simply think about what you must do for God. Stop and remember what God has already done for you.
Salvation is not a reward for those who manage to become good enough.
Salvation is God’s gift of grace to those who recognise their need and come to Him through faith in Jesus Christ.
Today, do you know the wonder and joy of knowing what God has done for you?
If you do, then pause for a moment, lift your heart toward Heaven and simply say:
“Thank You, Lord.”
And if you have never personally received His gift of salvation, there is no better day than today to come to Jesus Christ.
He has done everything. Will you receive Him?