Pinch Me!

"Pinch me! Am I dreaming? This can't be real! It's just too good to be true! I must be dreaming!" Have we experienced that; something so wonderful we were afraid we would wake up to the disappointment of it only having been a dream?

In one of the songs of Ascents -- considered to have been used by the Jews in their ascent to Jerusalem to worship (Psalms 120-134) -- we read. . .

"(1) When THE LORD RESTORED the fortunes of Zion, WE WERE LIKE THOSE WHO DREAM. (2) Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then they said among the nations, 'The LORD has done great things for them.' (3) THE LORD HAS DONE GREAT THINGS FOR US; and we are glad." ( Psalm 126:1-3 ESV)
Having been restored from captivity or back into a right relationship with God, there was great joy and gladness. It was not that RESTORATION was deserved, but by God's great compassion and mercy He provided it. Though the hope for it may have been there, the reality of it was like a dream; so wonderful to then experience. Truly, the Lord had done great things for them.

Do we view our restoration to a right relationship with God in a similar manner? Do we truly recognize how much we do not deserve it while still accepting the reality? Are we filled with great joy and gladness because THE LORD HAS DONE GREAT THINGS FOR US? In Christ the assurance of SALVATION and an eternity with Him is real!

Paul reminded those at Colossae. . .
"(13) He has DELIVERED US FROM THE DOMAIN OF DARKNESS and TRANSFERRED US TO THE KINGDOM OF HIS BELOVED SON, (14) in whom WE HAVE REDEMPTION, the FORGIVENESS OF SINS." ( Colossians 1:13-14 ESV)

It isn't a dream! It is real! In Christ we have the assurance of DELIVERANCE from the bondage to sin and the "domain of darkness", FORGIVENESS and complete cleansing of our sins, REDEMPTION and RESTORATION to a right relationship with God, and an ETERNAL HOPE reserved for us in Heaven. Don't ever think such a blessing cannot be for you! Paul noted his own life as an example that if he could be saved from his sins -- the foremost or worst of sinners ( 1 Timothy 1:15-16) -- you can be assured of that too. It is the reason Jesus came into this world. May we remain awake to the glorious and wondrous reality of life in Christ, so that we can live in a manner that others will want to come to know our source of exuberant joy and gladness.

Have a great day LIVING WITH GOD AWAKENED JOY!
Carl

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