Joy is in knowing how far I fall short of God’s standard and yet how high God brings me up in glory.

Reading Jeremiah 48:7, “Since you trust in your deeds and riches, you too will be taken captive,” I thought about what I truly trusted in. I think I trust in God, but do I really?

What if my bank account ran to $0. What if I’m evicted from my house? What if I were to lose my family and be alone? What if I were to make a terrible mistake and lose everything I held dear? Do I really trust in God alone or my abilities to make ends meet?

I wasn’t sure. That thought condemned me. I’m no better than Israelites of Old Testament who were judged for their disobedience and idol worship…

But this verse popped into my head: “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ!” And this one I just committed to memory: “He who did not spare His own Son and gave Him up for us all, how will He not also with Him graciously give us all things?” Rom 8:1; 8:32

My righteousness does not depend on me! It depends on Christ! I wanted to stand up and shout!!! How good God is even though, and perhaps because, I’m so bad! But I know God to be good only when I know myself to be a worthless sinner!

If you are in Christ, you are loved. If you want to feel it, think about someone you dearly love until you start tearing up. (such as your children, parents, friend, etc). Then think that God loves you infinitely more than how much you love him/her! Amen!

PH