Ten Things to be Thankful for, Day 8: God’s Relentless Pursuit to Save Unworthy People (That Means All of Us.)
Consider that the God of the Universe is pursuing you — just as you are — because He wants you to know Him.
Consider how God pursued Jonah the prophet (Jonah Chapters 1 – 2) just as he was: Jonah must have looked sinfully ugly. He refused to do as God commanded and was trapped in the dismal belly of a great big fish. But God pursued Jonah all the way into that fish, where Jonah’s relationship with God was renewed. Jonah even had a thanksgiving celebration in the belly of a great fish, saying, “But I, with the voice of thanksgiving, will sacrifice to you; what I have vowed I will pay. Salvation belongs to the LORD!” (Jonah 2:9).
Consider how God pursued the apostle Paul (Acts 9:3 – 6) just as he was. Paul looked sinfully ugly, persecuting God’s own family members, the followers of Jesus. God certainly had the power to get rid of this man who was tormenting His children. But God wanted Paul to know Him even while Paul was resisting. The voice of our Lord Himself described Paul’s behavior as being like a stubborn ox kicking against the sharp prod (“it is hard for you to kick against the goads” [Acts 26:14]).
God’s pursuit of Paul changed Paul into a thankful man (Philippians 1:3) who wanted to know God (“that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death” [Philippians 3:10]).
Consider how God calls us all. As a child, before accepting Jesus as Savior, the well known song, “Just as I am” (a Charlotte Elliot poem; 1835), was uncomfortable for me. I didn’t intend to be seen “just as I am” — as though I thought God did not already know that I was unworthy. But in that unworthy condition — “just as I am” — was how I came to Jesus: humbled, the only way we can come.
Consider how, even after decades of knowing Christ as Savior, He continues to insist that I come to Him “just as I am.” To think I should clean up my act before coming to Him is a distorted view of the wisdom, sovereignty, and especially the grace, of God. God knows what He is doing. In spite of the fact that He knows my condition, He always wants me to come to Him. And his continuing promise of forgiveness still stands: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (I John 1:9).
So, when you hear the hymn:
“Just as I am, without one plea,
But that Thy blood was shed for me,
And that Thou bidst me come to Thee,
O Lamb of God, I come!”
● Be humbled because you are helpless before God.
● Rejoice because you are forgiven.
● Come closer to the Lord. He is always ready for a person with a humbled heart.
● Give thanks! You are loved.
“Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!” (II Corinthians 9:15)
Have a Happy Thanksgiving!
Andy Nordquist