I have revealed you to those whom you gave me out of the world. They were yours; you gave them to me and they have obeyed your word. (John 17:6 NIV)
In John 17, Jesus is praying to his Father and giving an account of the things he has accomplished during his time on earth. It reads like the completion, or fulfilment, of a mission statement: "This is what you sent me to do and this is what I have done". The prayer contains an important list of things the Son has done is making his Father known. "I have revealed you", a number of other translations say "I have revealed your name". This is much more than a formal introduction of one person to another. Jesus is saying that he has revealed the complete personality, nature and character of his Father. Hebrews 1:3 tells us that Jesus is the exact representation of the Father. Throughout his life, Jesus has shown us exactly what the Father is like. Indeed, at the end of this chapter we read that Jesus goes on revealing the Father. Moses caught a glimpse of what God was like but we see the complete picture of who he is. Jesus healed people, the Father heals. Jesus cared for the marginalised in society, the Father cares for them too. Jesus valued and affirmed people, the Father does too. Jesus provided for people, our Father is a provider. Too often, we try and form a picture of what God is like by taking historical or stereotypical images and thinking they are a good picture of God. Why do we do that when we have the life and example of Jesus who was the exact image of the Father? In Matthew 11:25-27 we are told that we can know the Father, Jesus will reveal him to us. No longer is the Father hidden, he has clearly made himself known to us. For too long we have thought of God as being distant, angry and unknowable. This is not the case. He is our loving Father and he wants to be a Father to you.
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I am finding there is a greater longer in my heart for His Presence. I guess it's a recognition of his greatness compared to my very limited ability.
The LORD is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life, of whom shall I be afraid? One thing I ask from the LORD, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple. (Psalm 27: 1&4 NIV) Psalm 27 is a tremendous declaration of the security of finding our home in his presence. It’s very easy for us to succumb to the fear in the world, and at the moment there is no shortage of that! David's conclusion, in verse 3, is that whatever happens, whatever comes against him, he can be confident. Confident, not in his own strength or abilities but in who God is. The Lord is his stronghold and he is ours too. The Lord is his salvation and he is ours too. We have an assurance that in the day of trouble He will keep us safe and will lift us up above the enemies which surround us. The more we seek his Presence the more this assurance will become a foundation in our heart. We have nothing to fear because we know who God really is. David's confident conclusion is that he will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. That, too, can be our confident conclusion. Last week I looked at the start of this story: how the Lord longs to carry his people ALL the way. Through our ups and downs he will be faithful and we can trust in his strength. This is how Moses draws the story to a close.
There is no one like the God of Jeshurun, who rides across the heavens to help you and on the clouds in his majesty. The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. He will drive out your enemies before you, saying, ‘Destroy them!' (Deuteronomy 33:26-27 NIV) A picture of majesty and strength yet one of tenderness and compassion. We have a powerful God who rides effortlessly across the skies yet he is the One who reaches down and encircles us with his everlasting arms. For us to be carried we need to recognise our own weakness and allow ourselves to be vulnerable before him. It is, after all, little children, not teenagers who are carried by their parents. They know their vulnerability and their own inability to achieve greatness. We see what true vulnerability looks like in Psalm 51. David, recognising his own sin, comes before the Lord and asks for mercy, he wants his sin washed away and to be cleansed, he seeks a pure heart and a desire to remain in the Lord's presence. He asks for restoration. It is my prayer that we can have the same vulnerability. To be open before him as we recognise our weakness, this is the key to being encircled by his everlasting arms. Isn't it wonderful when a friend helps you with a difficult project or walks through a tough season with you? We all need friends like that but imagine if that was something God was always doing for you.
Then I said to you, “Do not be terrified; do not be afraid of them. The LORD your God, who is going before you, will fight for you, as he did for you in Egypt, before your very eyes, and in the wilderness. There you saw how the LORD your God carried you, as a father carries his son, all the way you went until you reached this place.” (Deuteronomy 1:29-31 NIV) I find these verses very encouraging, particularly because they are written to a people in rebellion. The nation of Israel had been in captivity for a long time, they'd had a traumatic escape and then a forty year journey through the wilderness. A journey made much longer because of their persistent rebellion. Of course, there were consequences for that rebellion. In these few sentences we read of the nature and personality of the One to whom all this rebellion had been against. For forty years he had provided their daily food, their clothes and shoes did not wear out, he provided warmth at night and guided them on the journey each and every day. What a comparison of faithfulness to ingratitude. Despite the pride, rebellion and independence God truly had been a Father to his people. It is, however, God's tenderness and compassion that always strikes me. He has reached down, picked up his rebellious children and been the One who has carried them ALL the way. As he did for them so he will do for you. Whatever challenges you face today let him carry you, not only your burdens - but you. |
Weekly SignpostA Father to YOU is a signpost to the heart of the Perfect Father. When we became Christians we were given the right to become children of God (John 1:12). Sadly, many of us fail to take up that right and instead continue to live as slaves or orphans. But our true destiny is being sons and daughters who have a permanent place in the Father's family. This blog is an encouragement to help you know who God really is and who you really are. Click here to subscribe. |