by Oswald Chambers: https://utmost.org/classic/today/
Jesus had entered into Jerusalem in triumph, the city was stirred to its foundations; but a strange god was there, the pride of Pharisaism; it was religious and upright, but a “whited sepulchre [gravestone/grave].”
What is it that blinds me in this my day? Have I a strange god — not a disgusting monster, but a disposition that rules me? More than once God has brought me face to face with the strange god and I thought I should have to yield, but I did not do it. I got through the crisis by the skin of my teeth and I find myself in the possession of the strange god still; I am blind to the things which belong to my peace. It is an appalling thing that we can be in the place where the Spirit of God should be getting at us unhinderedly, and yet increase our condemnation in God’s sight.
“If thou hadst known” — God goes direct to the heart, with the tears of Jesus behind. These words imply culpable responsibility; God holds us responsible for what we do not see. “Now they are hid from thine eyes” — because the disposition has never been yielded. The unfathomable sadness of the “might have been”! God never opens doors that have been closed. He opens other doors, but He reminds us that there are doors which we have shut, doors which need never have been shut, imaginations which need never have been sullied. Never be afraid when God brings back the past. Let memory have its way. It is a minister of God with its rebuke and chastisement and sorrow. God will turn the “might have been” into a wonderful culture for the future.
Whether you are YOUNG or OLD …
Many saints come to Christ in advanced years, like myself – 31 – thus our “might have been” is found in abundance and loosening chains of sin and death is difficult … unless we follow closely to our Lord Jesus. Take heart dear one, Jesus Christ meets you where are NOW and He escorts both the confident LION in the faith as well as the timid GAZELLE directly to the wellspring of life: Father God. Thus work out your OWN salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12) and declare, “Here’s my heart Lord, speak what is TRUE.” Allow your heart the time for true healing and repair; thus boast only in the gladness of victory found in joining the others resting by the river. Worry not if your new-found neighbors and ‘hope-to-be friends’ are lions, gazelles, winged ones or any other beautiful creature – for you are now ALL found in TRUTH and in the bosom of Father God (YAHWEH). GOD BLESS YOU THIS DAY LOVEY!
Blessings, Mary Budesheim
