Thoughts in Worship

Message Magazine's Online Devotional for Sabbath, May 16, 2015

Based Upon Luke 19:10

He came. Jesus, the King of the universe came to earth on a search and restore mission. Because Adam chose to sin in the Garden of Eden (although he was perfect and could have easily resisted the urge to join Eve’s rebellion), our loving Heavenly Father enacted His ultimate love plan and gave us His beloved Son, Jesus. He who has always existed from before there was ever a beginning volunteered to take on human flesh, with its limitations, in order to elevate humanity to the realm of eternal righteousness if we choose faith in Him. All that I just said is critical, and foundational to vital relationship to God. However, the overarching question is, “How?” How did God elevate humanity?

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You may recall in chapter 3 of the book of Genesis, that after Adam and Eve sinned, our loving Lord came to the Garden and called out to Adam saying, “Where are you?” In this singular visit and all that the question entails is hidden the great mystery of Salvation. Adam said that he was naked and hid himself, obviously because he ate from the tree God expressly forbade. God forewarned; Adam and Eve disobeyed; God pursued; Adam and Eve hid from Him in fear; God continued to pursue; Adam and Eve continued to give excuses for their disobedience as they foolishly sought to cover their sin in self righteousness; God continued to pursue, correct, and cover in His righteousness; and the first couple was set on track on their journey to ultimate restoration.

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In all of this is the beauty of salvation revealed. Instead of being a hands-off regulator and tyrant, our God came to our tiny little planet to personally seek out the children He created who needed Him more than ever before. As if that were not sweet enough, He also put Himself on the hook to further seek out humanity in the ultimate act of love. “When the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.” (Galatians 4:4–7). Further, the Bible reveals, “It was God [personally present] in Christ, reconciling and restoring the world to favor with Himself, not counting up and holding against [men] their trespasses [but cancelling them], and committing to us the message of reconciliation (of the restoration to favor).” (2 Corinthians 5:19, AMP). This is love! God the Father and God the Son, both sought us on a mission of mercy. They have dedicated all of heaven’s resources, with the blessed Holy Spirit, to finding and delivering all who are willing to submit to their love and be saved. I love that fact!

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So, the question I have for all of us today is, “Will we choose to come out into the open where God can save us, or will we continue to play hide-n-seek?” If we come out and face the King, and confess our need of His help, we can all be empowered and restored to live as the holy, peaceful people He created us to be.--L. David Harris (www.davidwritesalot.com)