Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, and that He may send the Messiah, who has been appointed for you—even Jesus. Heaven must receive Him until the time comes for God to restore everything, as He promised long ago through His holy prophets (Acts 3:19-21).
Father, You alone are God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To [You] be honor and might forever (1 Timothy 6:15-16).
"You cannot see My face," You told Your servant Moses, “for no one may see Me and live” (Exodus 33:20). Your ancient people understood this—Jacob, the people of Israel, Samson's parents, and Isaiah were among those who were terrified by the fearsome awesomeness of Your presence.
We have lost sight of that in our blasé times, not considering that, if as humans we cannot survive even in the presence of the created sun, how much more impossible it would be to survive in the presence of its Creator who lives in unapproachable light.
But You have appointed for [us] a Messiah, who alone is the apprehensible glory of God. The apostle John, who "beheld His glory" (John 1:14 - NKJV) tells us that "no one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is Himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made Him known" (John 1:18). And Paul later tells us:
In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that He lavished on us... (Ephesians 1:7-8).
O Father, so many struggle with the concept of needing repentance and forgiveness! So many "grade" on a system of human standards—not grasping that even the very best of human standards fall far short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23).
Lord, many are desperately seeking answers to the chaos, confusion, and despair around us. Many are frustrated by the failures of the political, social, and yes, religious structures and systems of this world. Everything is smoldering around us. Yet You offer us a way out of the ashes. You appointed a Messiah, a Savior, a Deliverer for us.
As we celebrate Easter, turn our hearts to Him, this only One who has made You known. Help us to accept His grace and forgiveness—the access to Your glorious light that we can never achieve on our own, even if it were possible to have a perfect human "record" (and it isn't!).
Help us, including those who profess faith in You, to humble ourselves, and truly repent...and turn to God so that our sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord (Acts 3:19). Refresh us, O Lord! Drench us in Your showers of mercy.
There shall be showers of blessing: This is the promise of love; There shall be seasons refreshing, Sent from the Savior above.
Refrain: Showers of blessing, Showers of blessing we need: Mercy-drops round us are falling, But for the showers we plead.
There shall be showers of blessing, Precious reviving again; Over the hills and the valleys, Sound of abundance of rain.
There shall be showers of blessing; Send them upon us, O Lord; Grant to us now a refreshing, Come, and now honor Thy Word.
There shall be showers of blessing: Oh, that today they might fall, Now as to God we’re confessing, Now as on Jesus we call!
There shall be showers of blessing, If we but trust and obey; There shall be seasons refreshing, If we let God have His way.
~ Daniel W. Whittle ~ 1883
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