Ever-Present Mercy: Finding Sanctuary in God's Grace
Ezekiel 11:16
Therefore say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Although I have cast them far off among the heathen, and although I have scattered them among the countries, yet will I be to them as a little sanctuary in the countries where they shall come.
It is amazing to see that even in our Lord’s sore displeasure for the way His people were living, and even in the midst of chastisement, He still made room for mercy and grace! This truly shows us a close-up of His heart for His people. Do not think, oh backslider, that you have been separated from His love; to the contrary, whom the Lord loves He chastens (see Hebrews 12:6).
Any decent parent would readily agree that there are times when we must discipline our children for their own good, and that regardless of their limited points of view we have their best interest at heart. So it is with God. Often, He will let the prodigal son take his journey into that far country, but only to anticipate the day that he comes back home with not a stitch of that far country in his heart any longer.
You see, the Father knew that the only way for his son to know just how good he had it at home was to let him experience life away from home. Often, when we choose to be disobedient to our Heavenly Father, He permits us to go on down the journey of our choosing without stopping us, because He knows that this is the best way to teach us of our need for Him.
We must understand that the alternative never works. So, in great wisdom He allows us to make mistakes so that we can learn from them and learn to call upon Him. Isn’t it nice to know that He is just a prayer away? He said that he would be a little sanctuary in the places that we go, meaning that even in our isolation, even in our hog pen (like the prodigal son), even in our rebellion, and even in our chastisement, if we will but call upon the name of the Lord with a repented heart, He will show up on the scene!
There is nothing like being on the receiving end of His grace and mercy, especially after you have gone astray, and come back in disgrace expecting scorn, but receiving forgiveness. You then learn that Romans 8:35-39 is true, which teaches us that there is absolutely nothing, no circumstance, or no one that can separate us from the love of Christ. Let us give Him praise for giving us such sweet assurance that no distance whatsoever will keep us from His love!
~ Pastor Gary Caudill
Therefore say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Although I have cast them far off among the heathen, and although I have scattered them among the countries, yet will I be to them as a little sanctuary in the countries where they shall come.
It is amazing to see that even in our Lord’s sore displeasure for the way His people were living, and even in the midst of chastisement, He still made room for mercy and grace! This truly shows us a close-up of His heart for His people. Do not think, oh backslider, that you have been separated from His love; to the contrary, whom the Lord loves He chastens (see Hebrews 12:6).
Any decent parent would readily agree that there are times when we must discipline our children for their own good, and that regardless of their limited points of view we have their best interest at heart. So it is with God. Often, He will let the prodigal son take his journey into that far country, but only to anticipate the day that he comes back home with not a stitch of that far country in his heart any longer.
You see, the Father knew that the only way for his son to know just how good he had it at home was to let him experience life away from home. Often, when we choose to be disobedient to our Heavenly Father, He permits us to go on down the journey of our choosing without stopping us, because He knows that this is the best way to teach us of our need for Him.
We must understand that the alternative never works. So, in great wisdom He allows us to make mistakes so that we can learn from them and learn to call upon Him. Isn’t it nice to know that He is just a prayer away? He said that he would be a little sanctuary in the places that we go, meaning that even in our isolation, even in our hog pen (like the prodigal son), even in our rebellion, and even in our chastisement, if we will but call upon the name of the Lord with a repented heart, He will show up on the scene!
There is nothing like being on the receiving end of His grace and mercy, especially after you have gone astray, and come back in disgrace expecting scorn, but receiving forgiveness. You then learn that Romans 8:35-39 is true, which teaches us that there is absolutely nothing, no circumstance, or no one that can separate us from the love of Christ. Let us give Him praise for giving us such sweet assurance that no distance whatsoever will keep us from His love!
~ Pastor Gary Caudill