I realize, now that life has paused for a few minutes, that I have so much to be thankful for. I don't want this to be a typical cheesy note of "I'm thankful for this or that," but rather an expression of the heart. God truly has done SO much and I want to write it down -- to remember Him, as He admonished His children to do so many times in His Word....
"My son (daughter), do not forget my law, but let your heart keep my commands; for the length of days and long life and peace they will add to you. Let not mercy and truth forsake you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart, and so find favor and high esteem in the sight of God and man." (Proverbs 3:1-4, italics mine)
"It shall be as a sign to you on your hand and as a memorial between your eyes, that the Lord's law may be in your mouth; for with a strong hand the Lord has brought you out of Egypt." (Exodus 13:9)
"You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates." (Deuteronomy 6:8-9)
"Keep my commands and live....Bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart. Say to wisdom, 'You are my sister.'" (Proverbs 7:2-4)
The word "Truth" the Bible is a Hebrew word for "God's standard." Truth is important because it shows us how to live, it IS the way in which we should walk. "Mercy," however, is "an act of graciousness to someone in need, from a person of superior rank or circumstance" (NKJV Study Bible). God tells us to bind both (equally) around our necks and write them on the tablet of our hearts. Isn't God good? He gives us a standard (Truth) and then His grace (Mercy) for when we mess up that standard. Even in the Old Testament, God cared about His people not only walking righteously, but also relying on Him for continual outpourings of mercy. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. Amen.
Brothers and sisters, there IS a way that we should walk. We are not an aimless people. God tells us to guard our tongues in a world that often speaks curses over others, to love Life in a world that values death over sweet Jesus (Life itself), to name a couple....
And I want to pray a prayer over you, my family. It is vital that we live according to His standard, that we should NOT settle for less than His righteousness. I know He is adamant that we live this way because if we don't -- it's like being a blind man. So, for the glory of God and His kingdom, live life blamelessly before Jesus. Don't settle. Never let the enemy steal from you what is rightfully yours -- "favor and high esteem in the sight of God and man."
Yoked with a right relationship is dependence on the great mercy of God. We mess up. We do. We fall all the time. But then we get back up again. Always. Because Christ gives us the strength to do so no matter the circumstance or the size of the attack. King David knew all about the mercy of God. The man after God's own heart... fell, fell AND fell again! But he ALWAYS repented, and got back up again. A good player is never out of the game for long. He or she presses forward regardless. And when we need a rescue, just ask the Lord. He will rescue us.
This is what I'm getting at, guys. It's all about Jesus! It's about what HE can do, about what HE can do in your heart and in the world around you. He loves you so much! It's about Him. Never ever about you or what you can do. Even righteousness is a work of God. He sets the standard and also fulfills it for us. So even when we mess up, we are still in right-standing with Him because He has already fulfilled the law. There is so much freedom in Christ! Hallelujah!
Don't you see? Proverbs 3 is fulfilled in Christ! Wow!
Bless you, my dear family, and may you desire Christ more and more every day. I'm sure I'll write more later, but for now... Live for Him who is both Truth and Mercy! And who loves you dearly....
-Stephanie
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