WORD TO PONDER:  WOUNDED OR CORRECTED?  8/24/04

There are times when you bare your soul before men that you receive a backlash.  Accusation, misunderstanding and judgment leave you feeling naked and abused.  Worse yet, in your wounded state, it leaves you feeling like a bad person.  This erodes and seeps down into your soul to further your decay of failure and into self rejection.   Precious one, listen to ME. This is not My good gift. 

Yes, I feed tenderhearted correction into your life as you need it.  Yes, I use circumstances to form you into My image.  And, yes, I bring everything into your life and turn it for good.  But do not think that I AM judging you, stripping you naked and abusing you over your failures.  I AM not rejecting you, dear one, and neither do I ever point a finger to condemn you.  I weep with you as you mourn over your mistakes, I weep even before you know you make them. 

My beloved child, would I severely discipline a child who earnestly wants to please Me and seek My way?  I AM only stern to the rebellious who defiantly turn from My loving and gracious heart.  I AM full of compassion over you who fall and tremble at My Word.  And how it moves My heart to wild rejoicing as I see you willing to stand up and try again!  How proud of you I AM, dear one, to see you keep on keeping on.  Now, let My love wash and cover you.   You are not naked, you are clothed in My forgiving and pure white garment of righteousness. 

NIV Romans 10:4

Christ is the end of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.