Morning by Morning, January 28 - How Deep the Father's Love for Us -- to Free us from our Past and Prepare us for our Future
Good morning, Lord Jesus. As I take time to look to You, to wait in Your presence and behold Your glory, Your Spirit changes me into Your image -- more and more, morning by morning, day by day, step by step, from glory to glory (2 Corinthians 3:18). ...
"When the circumcising of all the nation was done, they remained in their places in the camp until they were healed. The Lord said to Joshua, 'Today I have rolled away from you the disgrace of Egypt.' And so that place is called Gilgal to this day" (Joshua 5:8-9).
As I listen for Your leading and mediate on Your Word, I hear a worship song in my heart that speaks of Your deep love for us:
How deep the Father's love for us.
How vast beyond all measure,
That He should give His only Son to make a wretch His treasure.
How great the pain of searing loss --
The Father turns His face away,
As wounds which mar the Chosen One bring many sons to glory
(Stuart Townsend, How Deep the Father's Love for Us)
You deeply loved Your children when You brought them out of Egypt, through the wilderness, and into their Promised Land. But even though they had crossed over the Jordan River and into their Promised Land, they still carried the "disgrace of Egypt." And it was there, in their crossing over into the next season, that Your heart was to cut away their reproach, to strip away their "flesh," to set them free from all that would hold them back from entering into the fullness of all Your desired for them to have.
Stripping away their flesh was a physical act of spiritual suffering. But is was necessary in order to learn obedience, to experience freedom, and to enter into the fullness of their destiny, secure in their identity in You. Even Jesus -- the Chosen One, the Son of God, God in the Flesh as Immanuel with us -- "learned obedience through what He suffered" (Hebrews 5:8). "In the days of His flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to the One who was able to save Him from death, and He was heard because of His reverent submission. Although He as a Son, He learned obedience through what He suffered; and having been made perfect, He became the Source of eternal salvation for all who obey Him" (Hebrews 5:7-9).
Behold the Man upon a cross,
My sin upon His shoulders;
Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice
Call out among the scoffers.
It was my sin that held Him there
Until it as accomplished;
His dying breath has brought me life --
I know that it is finished.
(Stuart Townsend, How Deep the Father's Love for Us)
Their suffering was necessary, just as Your suffering was necessary. It was part of their sanctification, their consecration, their being set apart as holy unto the Lord, to carry the beauty of holiness in their hearts into their world to display Your glory through their lives. Though there would be battles to fight, walls and strongholds to bring down, giants in the land to face and overcome, You would be with them to guide them and lead them into their Promised Land. All that they experienced on their physical journey under the Old Covenant is an example for us to learn and experience on our spiritual journey (1 Corinthians 10:11) as "a shadow of things to come" in our New Covenant in Christ (Colossians 2:17).
Their suffering was necessary but it was worth it -- just as Your suffering and our suffering was. As we die to self, we can truly live in Christ (Galatians 2:20). As you strip away the "flesh," we can truly arise in the Spirit (Galatians 5:16). Through the circumcision of the heart, through the crucifixion of the flesh, we are free to enter into all You have for us (Romans 2:28). It's not by what we have done or ever will do, but all by what You have done for us.
I will not boast in anything,
No gifts, no power, no wisdom;
But I will boast in Jesus Christ,
His death and resurrection.
Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer;
But this I know with all my heart --
His wounds have paid my ransom!
(Stuart Townsend, How Deep the Father's Love for Us)
After their suffering, You called them to a place and gave them a time to heal (Joshua 5:8). Even though the timing and the place for their circumcision and suffering and healing -- enemy territory in the face of their enemies -- may not have seemed ideal or wise, You were right there with them to protect and heal them, to prepare them for You to advance them into their Promised Land. In our eyes, they were vulnerable; but in Your eyes they were invincible!
Thank You rolling away our disgrace. Thank You for giving us a place and a time to heal. Thank You for protecting us from our enemies and then giving us Your strategies to overcome them and advance against them into the fullness of our Promised Land (1 John 4:4). Whatever suffering that's necessary for our sanctification and consecration will be worth it. It's all part of "the beauty of holiness" (Psalm 29:2). "For this slight momentary affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond all measure!" (2 Corinthians 4:17) You are preparing a bride (Revelation 19:7), and You are bring many sons to glory! (Hebrews 2:10)
How deep our Father's love for us! How powerful our Savior's blood for us! How vast beyond all measure! In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays
My friend, may you know how deep our Father's love for us to free you from your past and prepare you for your future, in Jesus' name. Please pray the same for me. God bless you, my friend!
I'm excited to be teaching the Healing Academy at Aldersgate Renewal Ministries again this year, the first week of February -- February 3-7, 2020 in Goodlettsville, TN just north of Nashville. Register today and come join us! Please spread to word to anyone who may be interested in this week-long equipping and experience of healing prayer ministry:
I will be teaching based on my book Free to Be Like Jesus-Transforming Power of Inner Healing and Deliverance, which I'm so honored to be endorsed by Max Lucado, Randy Clark, and Andy Reese.
Tommy Hays | Messiah Ministries
Healing from the Inside Out
Pastoral Director | Rapha God Ministries
4 Dominion Drive, Building 1
San Antonio, Texas 78257
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