Upheld by Mercy

My husband writes a weekly devotional for the men in our church. It’s just a simple word from their pastor’s heart to give truth-encouragement at the start of their day. I’ve asked him if I can share some of those with you on the blog. So today, we have my favorite “guest” blogger sharing his heart.

From LeRoy’s Pen ~

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Every time I hold my grandchildren, I am reminded that a day is soon coming when they’ll grow too big to hold (or I’ll grow too weak to hold them). Think about that the next time you hold your child, grandchild, niece, or nephew. Have you considered the fact that we’ll never outgrow, or be too big to be held by God, and He will never lose any of His strength to hold us?

David lost the privilege of standing before God. David could no longer stand, but he needed to be held:

[box]Create in me a clean heart, O God,and renew a right spirit within me.Cast me not away from your presence,and take not your Holy Spirit from me.Restore to me the joy of your salvation,and uphold me with a willing spirit. (Psalm 51:10–12)[/box]

At the point when David penned these words, his sin had left him broken and humbled. He was no longer able to walk with God. To be carried by God was the best he could hope for, and that was his prayer.

This is the prayer of everyone who has sinned and desires God’s mercy:

“God forgive me. God wash me. God, don’t leave me in my sin. God, work in my heart again. Hold me, help me!”

Have you ever cried out to God with these words? I have. All of us who’ve experienced God’s amazing forgiveness, loving kindness, and cleansing mercy, has, no doubt, prayed a prayer like this.

The phrase “uphold me with your free spirit” is at the heart of a restored relationship with God. That happens when we’re no longer struggling to drag around the weight of our sin. Those chains are gone! Instead of a weak sinner stumbling under the burden of sin, the Lord carries us. We are set free from the guilt and shame. The Spirit of God loosens our bonds. Freedom and forgiveness replaces slavery and bondage. Joy replaces despair. The Lord carries us, holding us in His arms.

He pulls us close, warms us by His love, keeps us near to His heart. Held.

There is never a need for God’s children to struggle on their own. We will never be able to pull ourselves out of the grip of sin by the bootstraps of our own self-determination. But we try to live that way. Just like my little ones. When I offer to help Esther with something, almost every time she will say “I can do it!”

All of us must understand, when it comes to being right with God, we can’t do it on our own. We need the work of His Spirit, His mercy, His forgiveness. We can’t walk with Him on our own. He must hold us, carry us, and sustain us.

Ask Him to hold you today. Don’t insist that you can do it on your own. Let the Father carry you. He desires to, really, He does. It brings Him joy to carry you. That is what you were created for.

Live out your purpose today by allowing your Father to carry you.