Abundantly Pardoned

At the beginning of the novel "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen, Mr. Darcy is someone you would describe as "too big for his britches." He listens to what others think of certain people and makes their negative observations his own. He turns his nose up at Lizzy because of her family and lesser social standing, and although he is in love with her and wants to marry her, he tells her how far he is lowering himself in the eyes of society by doing so. Lizzy is greatly insulted (!) and tuns down his offer of marriage. In the chapters that follow, his love for her opens his eyes to his own pride, and he goes out of his way to prove to her that he isn't a prideful person. Proverbs 8:13 tells us that God hates pride and arrogance, and in Matthew 23:12 Jesus tells us that whoever humbles himself will be exalted. God loves the humble heart. Society loves the prideful.

I've always loved reading Nancy Drew mystery books, and even at the age of 53 I collect and re-read the old ones from the 40s, 50s and 60s. I love old words like "roadster" and "chum", and I love how teenage Nancy solves mysteries and catches crooks. The saving grace of our Lord Jesus Christ is no mystery, though many people like to study it to death, pick it to pieces and change it into a complicated puzzle with a fancy, made-up name. The Lord's saving grace is a wonderful, beautiful gift stated simply in John 3:16: "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." (NIV) He wants us to believe and live with Him forever, not turn His Word into a mystery that can't be solved. "Now I rejoice in what was suffered for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ's afflictions, for the sake of His body, which is the church. I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the Word of God in its fullness---the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the saints. To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory." (Colossians 1:24-27 NIV)

Last night I watched the season premiere of "Dancing With the Stars" and cringed everytime commercials were shown for the new fall season. I mostly watch PBS, mind you, so these commercials nearly caused the hair to stand up on my head. At my church we're studying the book of Daniel in the sermons, in Sunday School and in a Beth Moore Bible study. When food considered unclean was set before Daniel at the king's table, we read, "But Daniel resolved not to defile himself...." (chapter one, verse eight NIV). In the Bible study we're learning that we live in a modern day Babylon, surrounded by sin. We have to find ways to separate ourselves from this Babylon. Like Daniel, we must resolve not to defile ourselves. If someone were to set Daniel in front of a t.v. set and show him so of those t.v. shows, he wouldn't watch them. He would not defile himself by watching them. He would not become a part of this sinful Babylon we live in and say, "Well, that's all there is on t.v." We need to turn off the t.v. and find something better to do with our time. Something that won't defile us.

I heard a song on the radio this morning entitled "Heal the Wound But Leave the Scar." All of us have done things in our pasts of which we're ashamed. We know that God forgives us, but we have trouble forgiving ourselves. When we pray for Him to heal our wounds, we should also pray for Him to leave the scars as a constant reminder of His wonderful, saving grace. Isaiah 53:5 tells us, "by His wounds we are healed." (NIV) Praise God for giving His One and Only Son for us so that we could be forgiven of our sins. Forgive yourself as He has forgiven you. Heal our wounds, Sweet Jesus, but please leave the scars.

If you ever have a friend you can trust, one who stands by you in good times and bad, thank God for that friend. They are rare, indeed. "A friend loves at all times." (Proverbs 17:17 NIV) Over the years I've had friends who lied on me, stabbed me in the back, talked bad about me, and probably did things I don't even know about. Praise God for good, trustworthy, loving friends. They are a treasure. "A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother." (Proverbs 18:24 NIV) Do you have a friend like that? Pray for him or her everyday, and let that person know that they are special to you. Stop and send a prayer, a card or an email to them right now. Thank You, dear God, for trustworthy, loving friends!