Now the Lord observed the extent of the people’s wickedness . . . and the Lord was sorry He had ever made them. It broke His heart (Genesis 6:5, 6, NLT).This was the state of the world in pre-Noah days. When I came across these verses last night, I wondered, “Mustn't God feel the same way now?” I’ll leave God's experience of regret to the theologians. The phrase that filled my eyes and blurred my vision was, "It broke His heart."
If you are old enough to read this, you know full well what it is to have a broken heart. Failed marriages, wayward children, poor health, departed loved ones. The possibilities go on and on. I think about the darkest times I have lived in despair. Then I think about my loving Lord feeling that much pain and more.
But you and I are not powerless to affect the Lord's heart. Yes, His heart must be broken by the state of the world today. But He also takes great delight in those of us who bow before His throne. These verses in Genesis focused my mind on God as Someone who could be hurt, Someone who could use all the comfort I might offer.
I have a friend who often says, "Don't you know that just blesses God's heart?" I adore that possibility. There is more we can do about shocking headlines than to wring our hands; we can praise the One whose heart is breaking in the process. So today and every day, I invite you to join me, to look to the heavens and offer faith and solace to the One who loved us first. We love you, Daddy . . . and we always will.
May you feel His grace today,
Gail W.
Image Credit: www.flickr.com/photos/socialenigma11/384849717/
The last Word:
He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces He was despised, and we esteemed Him not.
Isaiah 53:3, NIV.
6 comments:
Thank you for encouraging me Gail.
I stayed at home today and rested. I am feeling better.
Amen my friend, bless you.
Hi Gail! Thanks for the stop by my blog and the comment made me laugh out loud too! ...not a crazy sort of laugh, but an "I am not alone" laugh. I love your blog and will certainly come back and visit. I like adventuress's...and Christians! So...the Virginia license plate? Is the college town Blacksburg by chance? I was in Virginia for over 10 years. Texas now, but my son is a graduated Hokie!
Gail,
I happened to find your blog through your comment on Liz's blog!
I love the idea that we can bless God's heart. Yes, we have broken it, but we can offer that comfort to Him... seems strange in a way. But I have experienced some vast healing of my heart this past year by Him, so I suppose it only makes sense!
God bless, and I hope to be back soon!
Heather
I came to your blog through Lelia's. What an encouragment, that we can bless God. That in all the ugliness that is going on around us that we can bless our Father.
Thanks for the encouragment.
:)Carol
Just thinking about that phrase from Genesis while writing tonight. I don't like to think about my sinful actions that have caused him pain. I think, somehow (and I am not a theologian by any stretch of the imagination) that my repentance, accordingly, brings him all the more joy. When we choose to surrender our hearts and bow the knee to his authority, majesty, and grace for our lives.
A good word, Gail. May God's presence be real to you this week.
peace~elaine
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