He Has An App For That. Part 2

Napoleon

           The story has been told of a mother who sought from Napoleon a pardon of her son. As I read this, I imagined the dialogue like this:

            Emperor: This is your son’s second offense. He obviously intends to break the law. Justice must prevail.He will go to the guillotine tomorrow. 

            Mother: I ask for mercy for my son, Sir,  not justice.

            Emperor: He does not deserve mercy, madam.

            Mother: It would not be mercy if he deserved it, Sir. Mercy is all I ask. (With pleading eyes she looked up at the emperor standing over her as she kneeled below him. )

            Emperor: Well then, I will show mercy.

           

            Napoleon’s mercy reminds me of an app available to us all. Jesus is an approachable high priest that invites us in this way,  “Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. (Romans 4:16) I am inspired by these last verses 14 through 16 because they explain that “we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin.” 

            That is what makes Jesus approachable.  He gives us this app because he lived in a human body, mind, and soul, with all their limitations except for sin. He will extend “sympathetic resonance” to us like when two tuning forks of the same pitch are placed near each other. If one is struck and set in vibration, the other will take up the vibrations sympathetically! The first is the generator, the other becomes the resonator. 

            In other words, when our despair, hunger, hurts, guilt, envy, or temptations create discord within us, our approachable high priest resonates with each feeling.  Because we generate the weakness, he can reach out to us in “sympathetic resonance”.  When a cord is struck in the weakness of our human instrument, it resonates in Him. He doesn’t see us as failures, but instead is capable of sympathizing with our weakness.  I want that app!

            I am like the mother pleading for her son’s mercy.  I need mercy. With an approachable God, I get mercy and grace.  

Joy in the Morning

Joy in the Morning and Understanding For the Day

What generates hope and joy?  In my life, I visit with God early in the morning.  My meditations and readings of His word shape my day.   My thinking is enlarged with this time with Him.  My imagination is ignited, and His pure thoughts challenge my thinking.

Sometimes just a word or phrase penetrate my soul.  For example, this morning I was studying the Psalms.  They teach me to worship and have awe for my Creator.  “Know that the Lord is God, and it is He who made us, and we are His; we are his people, the sheep of His pasture.”  (Ps.100)  

There is comfort and peace knowing He made us.  Last week so many of my loved ones had medical exams, testing, or test results returned from previous MRI readings.  Because of His word, I know that they are His.  He has their back and mine.  We are His people and His faithfulness endures forever. Today I am trusting in His faithfulness to these people He has put in my life.  

I pray.  I hope.  I trust.  God is with them because they are the sheep of His pasture. He protects them like the good shepherd He is. The rhythm of His words bring harmony to my soul.  His teaching enriches my understanding.  I can recall his promises while I wait in a hospital for my husband, my friend,  or my grandchild.  They are held in His hand and are protected by His love. 

My soul is enriched by gathering His words in my heart.  My focus is centered on Him, not on medical findings.  I trust in His love and His justice and His mercy.  Because I tarry in the mornings with Him, I am at peace and able to intercede for those I love.  Jesus hears and intercedes for them and me.  I will sing of His love throughout my day.