God, why haven't you helped me find and fix these?
Aren't you here to save me from myself?
[Choose your own adventure... recount your latest mistake here...]
Which is a stronger testimony? To live perfectly, or to make mistakes and live transparently?
His purpose is not to prevent my mistakes, but to redeem them.
It is the study and application of wisdom that helps me to avoid mistakes.
It is the study and application of grace that helps me keep relationships in spite of mistakes.
There is no end to His wisdom and grace.
To live "perfectly" with others is to live so dynamically with Him that no one can find the end of mine - because I appropriate His in each moment.
Unforgiveness blocks this flow, forgiving myself and others allows me to access Him in every circumstance.
"The Holy, the True - David's key1 in His hand, opening doors no one can lock,
locking doors no one can open - speaks:
I see what you've done. Now see what I've done. I've opened a door before you that no one can slam shut. You don't have much strength, I know that; you used what you had to keep my Word. You didn't deny me when times were rough.
Because you kept my Word in passionate patience, I'll keep you safe in the time of testing that will be here soon, and all over the earth, every man, woman, and child put to the test.
I'm on my way; I'll be there soon. Keep a tight grip2 on what you have so no one distracts you and steals your crown. I'll make each conquerer a pillar in the sanctuary of my God, a permanent position of honor. Then I'll write names on you3, the pillars: the Name of my God, the Name of God's City - the new Jerusalem coming down out of Heaven - and my new Name."
Selected from Revelation 3, The Message
1. What is David's key? I wonder if it is the act of worship from a pure and transparent that allowed David to come and go freely in the temple, to eat the shewbread without condemnation. David was persistently and expensively in constant communion with the Almighty, and this afforded him the privileges of familiarity and proximity.
2. "...tight grip..." We cannot abrogate our personal spiritual disciplines. No blame or excuse will stand.
3. "...I'll write names on you..." What God writes cannot be erased - your eternal identity is in His handwriting.
