Chosen and Consecrated
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2 Chronicles 7:14-16
14. if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. 15. Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayer that is made in this place. 16. For now I have chosen and consecrated this house that my name may be there for ever; my eyes and my heart will be there for all time.
Oh . . . is that all we need to do?! Well . . . no problem! OK, I’m being sarcastic, and that’s probably not a good attitude to have with God. I am just continually blown away by God’s patience and forbearance with mankind. Thousands of years, probably tens of thousands of times, repeating the same instructions and He just keeps at it. He never gives up on us. Isn’t it mind-boggling?
He has chosen and consecrated us as His own. Just thinking about that takes my breath away. He treats us, individually and collectively, as if we are precious, sacred beings. All He asks in return is that we show the reverence and gratitude due one so gracious and good and generous. That’s all. Isn’t it interesting that what is asked is that which is the most difficult with which to comply?
And really, God knows that! He knows it is literally absolutely impossible for us to remain humble, to pray without ceasing, to seek Him at all times, and to turn from sin. He knows it! And yet he loves us too much to ever turn away from us or abandon us. Since Adam and Eve, He has been faithful to us. He so desires a relationship with us, that He offers us Himself, knowing we will never be able to live up to our end of the bargain.
How about me? Do I treat my family and friends with the same generosity and patience? Sadly, no. I try, really I do. But I will never be able to live up to God’s terms. The good news for us, is that at the very moment we realize this truth . . . we have accomplished what God asks: humility. And there’s more good news! Jesus Christ! He fulfilled for us all the terms of the covenant we could never fulfill. He did it not just for one or two of our sins, but for every one—past, present and future. For all time!
Now that is breathtaking to think about! God created us, knowing we would have that one flaw—that we desired to be our own god. Knowing we would never be able to achieve perfection, He made us anyway! Then, at a point far beyond human patience, He sent a Savior to make us perfect. I actually stopped typing and took a moment to thank God. You may want to do the same right now. Go ahead. Make it simple: Thank You Creator God for my life. Thank You for making me in Your image and likeness. Thank You for the Gift of Your Son who made us Perfect, and for the Holy Spirit who helps us know You better.
My prayer today is that you live as if you have been chosen and consecrated. And that you display the same humility and compassion towards others that Jesus modeled for us.
Mary
