HE Sees Me
My Advent reading this morning took me to Luke 19 and to the story of Zacchaeus. Did the children’s song, Zacchaeus was a wee little man, pop into your head? It always does for me when I hear his name. But this morning, I didn’t think about that little guy. I thought about how Jesus saw him. Not just up in the tree, but he saw his heart. Zacchaeus, in all his selfish corruption, was searching. Regardless of who he was and what he had done, Jesus noticed him. Zacchaeus balanced precariously on a branch, risking an embarrassing, if not a potentially injuring, fall to see Jesus. And Jesus saw him. And Jesus saw me. In my selfish, thoughtless life, Jesus saw me. He sees me. And He sees you. Emmanuel.
HE Loves Me
He sees me. Inside and out. Through and through. I can’t hide anything. And yet … He still loves me. There’s no verse more quoted or copied than John 3:16. No other slogan, statement, or scripture. But it can’t be emphasized enough because it’s confirmed! God sent Jesus, who entered this world as a helpless baby, a willing sacrifice. And He was with us even before then. God Loves us. HE loves you. He loves me. I don’t deserve it. Never did. Never will. Zacchaeus never did, yet…God came down for him. And me, and you.
I’m humbled in my quiet time each morning when I sit with my tea or coffee before I even open my bible. Leveled, floored, mentally prostrate. But God meets me, whether it’s a conviction or the enemy messing with my head, he affirms His love for me, leading me to repentance if that’s what’s needed or to an assurance of His glorious hope. And I’m so thoroughly grateful that the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords, loves me. The Prince of Peace, the great I AM, my rock, my refuge, my strength, my hope, and my salvation. He loves me. Emmanuel.
HE is With Me
It’s something I can’t understand. I can never fathom why God chose me. That God came down to live a life of suffering, to die a horrible death, and to give me the hope that comes with His resurrection. I can’t begin to fathom that incredible act. But I know that it’s called grace.
He did it so that I could spend eternity with Him. So that my life would have a purpose on earth and hope in heaven. So that I could be with Him for all time. He is with me. With me before, with me now, and with me forever. And He is with you, too. Never forget it! Draw near and experience the wonder of His love.
Are you searching? Balancing precariously on a branch of guilt, disillusionment, or despair? Is your hurt so great you can’t understand it, much less bear it? Can you feel your heart breaking? I have. But God sees me, and He sees you.
Really, he does. Whether the situation is your own doing or no fault of your own, He is there. And just like Zacchaeus, regardless of who I was, who I am, or who I will be, despite the ugly, fallen world we live in, He is with us. Because of his grace. His sacrifice, His love. Because He is God. Emmanuele.
Wherever this year has you, whatever blessings you’ve received or trials you’ve had to endure, please take refuge in Him. Worship His holy name. Through prayer, in the Word. or in anguished silence, remember, He is with you. I pray that you will experience the height, depth, width, and breadth of His love for you. Lifting you up today and always.
