"I tell you the truth," Jesus answered, "before Abraham was born, I am!" (John 8:58)
Behold The Man!
Then Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged him. And the soldiers platted a crown of thorns, and put it on his head, and they put on him a purple robe, And said, Hail, King of the Jews! and they smote him with their hands. Pilate therefore went forth again, and saith unto them, Behold, I bring him forth to you, that ye may know that I find no fault in him. Then came Jesus forth, wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple robe. And Pilate saith unto them, "Behold the man"! (John 19:1-5 KJV)
Originally Published: January 18, 2008
Like many believers, I strongly believe in the spiritual benefits of fasting. Though, admittedly, like many other Christians, I find this a very difficult spiritual discipline.
Recently, I learned that sometimes a fast can be God-initiated.
If you read this blog regularly, then you know that I haven’t written anything for a couple of months. It was during this period that I was introduced to this type of fast. Couldn’t eat, didn’t want to eat–no explanation. However, prior to this “fast” I had pleaded with the Lord to show me His purity so sin would be less appealing to me.
It was 8-10 days into this “God-fast” that I came under unbelievable spiritual attack. I tell you, it drove me to my knees and straight into the Cleft of the Rock–Jesus Christ!
I remember having come through this attack (purely by the grace of Almighty God), that it hit me one morning that I could eat again. I smiled up knowingly to God. Yes, eating again was okay.
I’m not sure all that this spiritual attack was meant to divinely produce in my life, but I can tell you I did get an answer to my previous prayer!
No, God didn’t “show” me his purity. Instead, He showed me my sinfulness!
When that happens, all you can do is call out to God and cry, “Lord! Save me!”
Thank God He did, He does, and I am confident He always will!
And, yes, I can write again, too!
Originally Published: September 13, 2007
Please read prayerfully through Ezekiel 23.
I have witnessed almost as if from standing afar off, my own slow, steady drift from my first love—the Lord. The very thought is absolutely terrifying to me, but much to my sorrow and shame I find that my sin has a very powerful, sensual draw.
Since I obviously do not have a clear grasp on the vileness of my own nature, I have repeatedly asked the Lord to reveal to me His holiness, His purity. Last night, I again earnestly sought the Lord with my petition. Oddly, I was reminded of a time I happened upon Ezekiel 23. I remember quickly closing and placing the Bible far from me because I was horrified to hear such language being spoken from the lips of a holy God. I had difficulty “justifying” the need of such expression—from God (as if God need justify Himself to anyone)! The imagery was too horrible for me to even read then, and it is still difficult today. Now, I understand why.
Ezekiel 23 is a graphic word picture of how God views sin—our sin and idolatry. He expresses His hatred of sin in the most vulgar of terms. Terms we can fully identify with because they describe in great detail our rebellion and rejection of Almighty God.
True, these words were spoken to God’s chosen people, the divided lands of Israel and Judah, but can I dare claim that my own sin is any less vile? The truth is my sin is worse because I am called by the name of Christ. I am His bride—brought at a very high price with the precious blood of the Sinless One— Jesus Christ, the only begotton Son of the One Living and True God!
God did not answer my pleas to see His holiness, at least not in the way I supposed. Rather, God did a far, far better thing. He gave me the grace gift of showing me the filthiness of my own sin.
Praise be to His Holy Name!
Jesus the Christ Revealed Through the Study of God’s Holy Word!
