 Ciara Lilly is a Charlotte-area writer. Her faith-based column, Fishers of Men, is published here each Monday. Opinions expressed are solely her own. |
Text: Psalm 139 (AMP)
Have you ever felt like you failed God? Like you really, really, blew it and God could never forgive your mistakes?
Maybe this is a better question: Has anyone ever made you feel like you were a disappointment to God? Perhaps it’s because of your past, maybe it’s because you’re unlike them; whatever the reason, I’m sure we all can recall a moment in time where we felt like we disappointed or failed God.
Out of guilt, we sometimes attempt to separate ourselves from God. We trade Holiness for depression; relationship for loneliness; and unconditional love for condemnation. But that’s not what God wants. In fact, it’s not even possible to separate yourself from God. But don’t take my word for it, here’s a scripture to prove it:
“7: Where could I go from Your spirit? Or where could I flee from Your presence? 8: If I ascend up into heaven, You are there; if I make my bed in Sheol (the place of dead), behold, You are there. 9: If I take the wings of the morning or dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, 10: Even there shall Your hand lead me, and Your right hand shall hold me. 11: If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me and the night shall be [the only] light about me, 12: Even the darkness hides nothing from You, but the night shines as the day; the darkness and the light are both alike to you. 13: For you did form my inward parts; You did knit me together in my mother’s womb.” — Psalms 139:7-13 (AMP)
Let’s take a moment to reflect on this scripture. Specifically, let’s look at “… if I make my bed in Sheol, behold, You are there.” If God would be with us in Hell, do you think he’s absent during our bouts with depression? Do you think he’s missing when we’re out doing things we know aren’t good for us? When we’re running as far as we can from Him, don’t you think He’s running alongside us?
We sometimes forget that God created us and knew beforehand every decision (good or bad) we’d ever make. And in knowing that, He still gave His Son to purchase our salvation; not because we were worthy, but because He loved us. 2000 years ago, God foresaw every lie we would tell, He saw every mistake we would make and He knew every hiding place we would have. And He still gave His Son, Jesus Christ, to purchase our salvation. Today, He still wants a relationship with us.
If someone has told you that you’re unworthy of salvation, tell them it’s too late — your salvation was bought LONG ago. And there are no take-backs.
If someone has told you that God doesn’t love you, ask them what Paul was talking about in Romans 8:38-39 when he stated, “For I am persuaded beyond doubt (am sure) that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities, nor things impending and threatening nor things to come, nor powers, 39: nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Today, make a decision to welcome God back into your life. Commit to having a relationship with Him that’s not severed by the opinion of man.
Remember what God says will forever trump what people say. And I believe He’s saying that it’s time that you answer the knock outside the door of your heart. And this time, invite Him in to stay forever.
