The last few weeks my life has been turned upside down by another person's self absorption, making me truly evaluate my own life in search of any selfish areas. The acts of betrayal have driven me to God's waiting arms, and I have been gently comforted by Him, my true Husband. Today as I spent time alone with Him, I found an especially poignant concept I want to remember and share.
Adam and Eve turned their heads toward the hiss of the snake and for the first time ignored God. Eve did not ask, "God, what do you want?" Adam didn't suggest, "Let's consult the creator." They acted as if they had no heavenly Father. His will was ignored, and sin entered the world.
Sin sees the world with no God in it.
We might think of sin as slip-ups . God views sin as a godless attitude that leads to godless actions. "We all have wandered like sheep; each of us has gone his own way." The sinful mind dismisses God, not consulting His counsel nor soliciting His opinion.
The lack of God-centeredness leads to self-centeredness. Sin celebrates its middle letter - SIN.
I am learning first hand a new dimension of pain and as I learn of it, I learn more from the Great Physician. I know His hand is healing me even as the pain is inflicting me. Yet I am being reminded of the terrible betrayal of Jesus and how very alone He must have felt. What I am sensing can't compare to what He went through waiting for His crucifixion. I don't know what is ahead for me, nor really even what all the betrayal has entailed; Jesus knew beforehand every word and action of His betrayer, every ounce of pain He would suffer, andthat at one point not even have the Father's presence with Him. Tonight I read through Isaiah 53 with tears rolling down my cheeks and sobs shaking my very being. What an incredible love! Read it with me, and as you do, remember not only was this written many years before He even came to earth, but that He knew exactly what He was getting into for OUR SINS! INCREDIBLE!
Isaiah 53 NCV
1 Who would have believed what we heard?
Who saw the LORD’S power in this?
2 He grew up like a small plant before the LORD,
like a root growing in a dry land.
He had no special beauty or form to make us notice him;
there was nothing in his appearance to make us desire him.
3 He was hated and rejected by people.
He had much pain and suffering.
People would not even look at him.
He was hated, and we didn’t even notice him.
4 But he took our suffering on him
and felt our pain for us.
We saw his suffering
and thought God was punishing him.
5 But he was wounded for the wrong we did;
he was crushed for the evil we did.
The punishment, which made us well, was given to him,
and we are healed because of his wounds.
6 We all have wandered away like sheep;
each of us has gone his own way.
But the LORD has put on him the punishment
for all the evil we have done.
7 He was beaten down and punished,
but he didn’t say a word.
He was like a lamb being led to be killed.
He was quiet, as a sheep is quiet while its wool is being cut;
never opened his mouth.
8 Men took him away roughly and unfairly.
He died without children to continue his family.
He was put to death;
he was punished for the sins of my people.
9 He was buried with wicked men,
and he died with the rich.
He had done nothing wrong,
and he had never lied.
How dare I consider feeling sorry for myself for being betrayed? Instead, may I become more like Christ letting Him show me how to live through this and bring Him the glory! Amen!
