In Psalm 34:18 it says, "The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit."
I didn't realize how prideful I was being in life by doing things on my own strength until I could hardly speak two words in a row and my entire right side was paralyzed. Sure, I could move my toes and fingers with effort, but I had to concentrate hard just to do that. My brain was having to move my word finding and secondary motor skills from my left frontal lobe to my right frontal lobe, which just takes time. Chemo didn't help my rehab process.
I tell you this because since surgery, I now cannot preach from an outline, like I once was able to do. In fact, doing presentations for my full time job, being a CPA, is very difficult for me. I have to write out my presentations to make sure I don't leave anything out. That has been very difficult to deal with...my new normal. As I went through the rehab process, I had to realize that I couldn't do things on my own. Things like getting dressed, writing my name, things I once took for granted, were now difficult for me to do. It forced me to rely on Jesus more. I see this dependence especially when it comes to reading and writing. I was always read at a snail's pace, but now I read even slower.
If we can just humble ourselves enough to admit that we can't do things on our own, then He is quick to give us the power to persevere. In Matthew, Jesus says, "Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." Jesus Himself is the humblest man that ever walked the earth. He came to serve man. An example of this humbleness is seen in the washing of the disciples' feet. Just think, the very one that created the heavens and the earth was washing the feet of man. Jesus had counsel with the other two members of the Trinity and chose us before the foundation of the earth. Jesus, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, who is glorious beyond words, saved us, a wretched bunch of sinners. Sinners of the worst degree, the whole lot of us, and He bore all our guilt and shame. He took the full wrath of God,who is just, because we must be made righteous before a holy God. There is no way to earn salvation, there is nothing we can do to get saved. It is only by the abundant grace of God that we, by faith in the one man Jesus Christ, can take part in this awesome and ultimate plan of salvation. It all starts with a broken and contrite heart. In Psalm 51:17 it states, "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise."
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