10.31.9 "Undeserving"

"Undeserving"

Lamentations 4:1-5:22
Hebrews 2:1-18
Psalm 103:1-22
Proverbs 26:23

We all have expectations. When we walk into a store, we expect that employees will treat customers with respect. If we buy something, it will be in good working order. We should be satisfied. We paid for it, we deserve it.

What a blessing it is to serve God. "I bless the holy name of God with all my heart. Yes, I will bless the Lord and not forget the glorious things he does for me. He forgives all my sin. He heals me. He ransoms me from hell. He surrounds me with lovingkindness and tender mercies. He fills my life with good things! My youth is renewed like the eagle's! He gives justice to all who are treated unfairly." Ps 103:1-7

How do you feel reading that scripture? It's too easy to read all of that and say, "Boy, I sure am glad for all that!" and go on with the day. We can become callous to the blessing of salvation.

"He is merciful and tender toward those who don't deserve it; he is slow to get angry and full of kindness and love. He never bears a grudge, nor remains angry forever. He has not punished us as we deserve for all our sin, for his mercy toward those who fear and honor him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth." Ps 103:8-11

"those who don't deserve it..." Who is that? that's me. I walk in and out of the church doors at least a couple dozen times each week. I must be cautious lest I take for granted the grace God has given me. I should never walk into his presence as if I deserve to be there. I should not walk through life as if I deserve to be a child of God. I don't. All i deserve is the punishment for my sin. Praise the Lord, "he has not punished us as we deserve..."

I'm thankful that through the power of his blood we can boldly come before him. "He has removed our sins as far away from us as the east is from the west." Ps 103:12 He has made us pure. Even though we don't deserve it. "For he knows we are but dust, and that our days are few and brief, like grass, like flowers, blown by the wind and gone forever."

How does an individual live if they feel like they "deserve" God's favor? They make for tough customers. We had friends years ago who had a goal to get a free meal at a restaurant every time. They would try to find something to make a stink about. It was actually quite embarrassing. When asked about it, the comment was, "hey, I paid for this meal, and it's their job to keep us happy." Well, let's just say the waiters had their work cut out for them.

Do you know that it's not God's "job" to keep us happy? He has a purpose for all creation, and we are so blessed to be even thought of as part of the family. How awful to walk around in life as if "I paid for this Christianity, so I deserve better..."

Lord, I'm so thankful that you chose me to be one of your very own. I'm full of flaws and I've failed you many times, and yet your love for me just makes it all seem to disappear. Forgive me for times that I walk around as a spoiled child acting arrogant like I deserve your favor. I don't. Help me to walk daily in the humility of one who's been forgiven so much.

"Let everything everywhere bless the Lord. And how I bless him too!" Ps. 103:22


Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!

P Greg


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