Jer. 31:27-34
Rom. 11:25-36
John 11:28-44, or 12:37-50
Rom. 11:25-36
25So that you may not claim to be wiser than you are, brothers and sisters, I want you to understand this mystery: a hardening has come upon part of Israel, until the full number of the Gentiles has come in. 26And so all Israel will be saved; as it is written, “Out of Zion will come the Deliverer; he will banish ungodliness from Jacob.” 27“And this is my covenant with them, when I take away their sins.” 28As regards the gospel they are enemies of God for your sake; but as regards election they are beloved, for the sake of their ancestors; 29for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. 30Just as you were once disobedient to God but have now received mercy because of their disobedience, 31so they have now been disobedient in order that, by the mercy shown to you, they too may now receive mercy. 32For God has imprisoned all in disobedience so that he may be merciful to all. 33O the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! 34“For who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?” 35“Or who has given a gift to him, to receive a gift in return?” 36For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever. Amen.
In the midst of explaining why Gentiles are now accepted in God’s family, Paul says something interesting. “The gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.” In a more modern rendering, The Message says, “God’s gifts and God’s call are under full warranty—never canceled, never rescinded.” And the New Living Translations says, “For God’s gifts and his call can never be withdrawn.”
God is generous and loves us so much that we are each given a present as big (or even bigger) than the one this little girl has—it is God’s Love that will never be revoked, cancelled or withdrawn!
Isn’t that a wonderful reminder as we come to Holy Week? God calls us into relationship and all God’s love and the gifts given to us are ours forever. No matter what we do or do not do—we are God’s chosen and beloved children!
All we need to do, as Edwina Gately says, is
Let Your God Love You
Be silent.
Be still.
Alone
Empty
Before your God
Say nothing.
Ask nothing.
Be silent
Be still.
Let your God
Look upon you.
That is all.
God knows.
God understands.
God loves you with
An enormous love.
And only wants to
Look upon you
With His Love
Quiet.
Still.
Be.
Let your God—
Love you.
Tomorrow is Palm Sunday and I invite you to join me on a special Holy Week journey to the cross and grave and to Easter.
For your journal: Sit quietly with the thought that God will never withdraw his gifts or call or love from you. Simply “let your God, love you.”
Let Your God Love You
Be silent.
Be still.
Alone
Empty
Before your God
Say nothing.
Ask nothing.
Be silent
Be still.
Let your God
Look upon you.
That is all.
God knows.
God understands.
God loves you with
An enormous love.
And only wants to
Look upon you
With His Love
Quiet.
Still.
Be.
Let your God—
Love you.
Tomorrow is Palm Sunday and I invite you to join me on a special Holy Week journey to the cross and grave and to Easter.
For your journal: Sit quietly with the thought that God will never withdraw his gifts or call or love from you. Simply “let your God, love you.”
