The God Who Restores

Isn't it sad that despite what we know to be right, we still make foolish mistakes because we drift away from God for just a moment... Because we choose our own way. Because we do not allow Him to do for us that which He longs to do. We tie His hands. The all-powerful, all-wise, all-knowing God of the universe is limited by us?! Because we think we know better. We think we know ourselves. 

Even our best efforts end as but hopeless failures. For in and of ourselves we can do absolutely nothing. 

Yet though we have fallen so far, He does not leave us. All along He seeks to bring us back to Himself. From the emptiness of self-service, to His banqueting table where we can be truly filled. From the love of empty pleasures to a knowledge of the depth of His heart. He strives to win our hearts, never forcing, always loving. 

"Not one soul who in penitence and faith has claimed His protection will Christ permit to pass under the enemy’s power....Angels of God will walk on either side of them, even in this world, and they will stand at last among the angels that surround the throne of God." – {PK 587.1}

And when He restores, it's perfect. Better than what was before we fell. Closer to Himself than ever before. Hearts overflowing with love and gratitude to the One who has plucked us as brands from the burning.

"We have been great sinners, but Christ died that we might be forgiven. The merits of his sacrifice are sufficient to present to his Father in our behalf. Those to whom he has forgiven most will love him most, and will stand nearest to his throne to praise him for his great love and infinite sacrifice. It is when we most fully comprehend the love of God that we best realize the sinfulness of sin, and the fullness of salvation. When we see the length of the chain that was let down for us, and understand something of the merits of that infinite sacrifice that Christ has made for us, the heart is melted with tenderness and contrition. – {ST March 11, 1889 Par. 3}

Unrequited Love

Imagine...loving someone for your entire life, doing absolutely everything you can to make them happy, only to be shunned by them. Unrequited love. A tragedy at best. Yet, isn't this exactly what we do God?

Or am I being too extreme? Would you rather be happy to be loved half-heartedly? How would you feel if the one you loved only loved you back when it was convenient? Only when certain people were around. Or, weren't. What if they hardly took a minute out of their day to spend time alone with you?

Would you put up with such an arrangement? 

Or, take it a step further- would you give up everything that was rightly yours to exchange places, and take what they deserve? 

Would you DIE for that person?

Yet, isn't this, and so much more, exactly what Christ did for us?

Honored, loved of angels and His Father, happy and blessed, holding the wealth of the universe in His hands, He gave up all. To be born to an impoverished couple, under the stigma of illegitimacy, to shoulder the woes of the human race, to be deserted by His best friends, denied, betrayed, rejected, scourged...the list goes on. Why? Oh and there's more: hung naked upon one of the world's cruelest inventions, watching His mother suffer through it all, hearing the taunts of those who had so lately sung His praise, and the silence of those who up until now had believed, still loved...those very ones for whom He was doing all this. And by far the worst: He must endure the absence of His Father's presence as the darkness closes in.

If this doesn't transform you... It must! When you look at the cross...No, when you look at the Saviour on the cross, all else pales. What can hold value by comparison? Our greatest treasures are but tinsel. What would you trade for Him? Or, what would you NOT trade, for Him? For should you reserve something, life instantly loses its meaning. Then it is no wonder that inspired writing urges us to spend a thoughtful hour each day in contemplation of the closing scenes of the life of Christ.

So why do we stay away? What keeps us from Him? 

The enemy of souls loves to convince us that we are too far gone. That we have passed the point of no return. He knows that if we but ask for pardon we WILL obtain it. And he exalts in our defects, even trying to make our best service appear corrupt. 

But we have the promise: "All who have put on the robe of Christ’s righteousness will stand before Him as chosen and faithful and true. Satan has no power to pluck them out of the hand of the Saviour. Not one soul who in penitence and faith has claimed His protection will Christ permit to pass under the enemy’s power." {PK 587.1}

Yes, we see our sinfulness. We are fully cognizant of that fact. Our weakness and unworthiness make us ready to despair. But, our hope is in the mercy of God. And our defense is prayer. 

There's more to the promise: "But while the followers of Christ have sinned, they have not given themselves up to be controlled by the satanic agencies. They have repented of their sins and have sought the Lord in humility and contrition, and the divine Advocate pleads in their behalf. He who has been most abused by their ingratitude, who knows their sin and also their penitence, declares: “The Lord rebuke thee, O Satan. I gave My life for these souls. They are graven upon the palms of My hands. They may have imperfections of character; they may have failed in their endeavors; but they have repented, and I have forgiven and accepted them.”" – {PK 589.1}

It won't be easy. The refining process is a trying one. "But the anguish and humiliation of God’s people is unmistakable evidence that they are regaining the strength and nobility of character lost in consequence of sin. It is because they are drawing nearer to Christ, because their eyes are fixed on His perfect purity, that they discern so clearly the exceeding sinfulness of sin. Meekness and lowliness are the conditions of success and victory. A crown of glory awaits those who bow at the foot of the cross." – {PK 590.2}

When Jesus brings forth His gold, it will be purified, all earthliness removed, the image of Christ revealed, perfectly. 

I leave you with a passage I have encountered over and over this last while, and have come love:

"Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebrews 12:1-2

As we enter a new year, look to Jesus. Think of His great love for you, don't leave it unrequited. Contemplate His great sacrifice, and spend time with Him each day as you would if it were your very last.