Blurb of a Thought on Grace and Gifts

Have you heard of the Robbie Seay Band?  It's some pretty neat music with great lyrics.  When I stop and get paying attention to lyrics on songs, I learn a lot.  One song I was listening to today reminded me of how much God really does care about us.

I am pretty young still but that doesn't mean I am naive.  I have seen a lot for being here twenty-two years.  I have also been in need many times.  I don't mean that I needed a motorcycle to go somewhere, needed a vacation, or needed a resupply on ice cream.  Those are not needs.  I have been in REAL need many times.  I needed fished off the bottom of the lake to survive.  I needed an extra boost of strength to get back to shore when caught in a rip tide.  I needed love many times when I felt unloved or unlovable in order to continue on.  Each time I was in need, God provided and still does.  Why does he provide?  Why does he give?  I sure don't purchase anything from Him.  My "good deeds" and ethics don't provide me with spiritual tender that I can cash in when I want (or need) something.  Why does he give things I don't need but sometimes what I want?  Why does God care about my wants?  Mostly, how does God know what I really need even when I don't know myself? 

Although God gives many tangible gifts to us (followers and otherwise) the most precious gifts are those which we can't hold.  God knows us.  He knows us because He makes it His business to know us.  He makes it His business because He cares about us.  He cares about us because....

...

I can't explain why God cares about us.  I don't know why God would have the slightest interest in any of humanity, let alone me. 

I have been reading through the book of Jeremiah lately.  I have been in a three-year quest to read the Bible in a year.  Haha.  I have the NT done and am now in Jeremiah after starting the OT.  I just read this evening where God was speaking through Jeremiah that He is having no more of Israel's disobedience and vile living. God gave them a way to do right still, "Administer justice every morning; and deliver the person who has been robbed from the power of his oppressor, that My wrath may not go forth like fire and burn with none to extinguish it, because of the evil of their deeds." (Jer 21:12)  Yet they would not listen to Him, "But your eyes and your heart are intent only upon your own dishonest gain, and on shedding innocent blood and on practicing oppression and extortion." (Jer. 22:17)  "I spoke to you in your prosperity; but you said, 'I will not listen!' This has been your practice from your youth, that you have not obeyed My voice." (Jer 22:21)

Isreal was promised life if they did right.  God gave them so much even in their disobedience!  But now He says, "No More!"  I sometimes fear that I will hear that.  But later in chapter 23 you can see God's never ending love for a people who couldn't care less, "'Then I myself will gather the remnant of My flock out of all the countries where I have driven them and bring them back to their pasture, and they will be fruitful and multiply.  I will also raise up shepherds over them and they will tend them; and they will not be afraid any longer, nor be terrified, nor will any be missing,' declares the Lord." (Jer 23:3-4)

God's love does not end.  After Israel is taken captive by Babylon, God will continue to carry out the covenant with Abraham and bring Israel back to the Promised Land under new life in a new generation.  And He does the same for us.  He is always calling for us to "protect the orphan, do justice and righteousness, and deliver the oppressed."  He does this because He loves us and wants the best for us.  Then, even when we disobey, he gives us the greatest gift ever created, Jesus, Salvation, GRACE. 

Thank you for Grace and Love.

P.S. I do not re-read a lot of my posts.  If there are grammatical errors and such, sorry.  I feel weird when I read my writings.