Arms Open Wide

 

Jesus looked out and raised His arms and said I love you THIS much,
And then He had His hands nailed to a Cross

As high as the sky is above the earth, so great is his love for those who respect him. He has taken our sins away from us as far as the east is from the west. The Lord has mercy on those who respect him, as a father has mercy on his children. He knows how we were made; he remembers that we are dust (Ps. 103:11-14 NCV).  

No pit is too deep and no gulley too wide that Christ cannot reach
His people whom the Almighty God calls, "Mine." 

 ♥♥♥

 Do you know what true grace means? Grace is an overwhelming abundance of understanding, love, and forgiveness. Grace is giving someone what they NEED, not what they may deserve. My friend, that is what God has done for us through Jesus. He has given us what we needed most, and not what we sometimes truly deserved. And in Grace, only Jesus has paid the price, and it is freely given to us-- we have only to accept His offering. His Word says,  "He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities" (Psalms 103:10 NIV).  My friend know that wherever you are in your life, God says,  "Don't be afraid, because I have saved you. I have called you by name, and you are mine" (Isa. 43:1 NCV). 

 Children often play the game, "How much do you love me?" My own sons growing up would say, "Mommy, I love you this much," and they would hold their arms out as far as they could. My friend, know that today Jesus has looked at you and said, "Child, I love you this much." Watch as He raises an arm to the east and His other arm to the west, and listen as He repeats again, "THIS MUCH." And just so we would always know (so that you would always know), He then had His hands nailed in place on a Cross. My friend, know that what Scripture says in Jeremiah 31 still remains true. He says it to me, and He says it to you. And from far away the LORD appeared to his people and said, "I love you people with a love that will last forever. That is why I have continued showing you kindness" (vs 3 NCV). 

 No matter what has happened, know that as far as the east is from the west, Jesus holds His promise out with open arms that there is still hope, and NO, all is NOT LOST. Jesus calls to us and says, "Come to me, all you who are weary and are burdened, and I will give you rest" (Matt. 11:28 NIV).  Notice in this key verse that it says, “all you…”It doesn’t say “some of you…” My friend, “all you…” includes you and me! 

 So if you are wondering if there will ever be an end to your heartache, trials, tribulations, and storms… if you are looking at the canyons in your life and wondering how you are ever going to make it across… if you are looking for the horizon and wondering if the clouds will ever break… or if you are facing the darkness of the night and wondering if daybreak will ever come… My friend, know that Jesus says, “I am here, I am the One.” 

 PRAYING IN FAITH

 Father God, we come before You today in Christ Jesus' name. Lord, thank You for the grace that You wrap us in, even when we are so undeserving. Lord, thank You for Your love that You pour out on us. Thank You for Your comfort and hope in knowing that, no, not all is lost. Lord, I hold hands with this reader and pray for them. Lord, may they feel Your arms wrapped around them. Lord, whatever it is that has beaten them down, or whatever mistakes they have made, or wherever it is that they find themselves at, Lord, help them to know that Your reach is bigger. Help them to know that Your love is stronger than whatever they may be going through at this moment. Lord, I pray for them, that in weariness, brokenness, loneliness, or even in hopelessness, they will come to You. Lord, I pray that they will take comfort in the Cross and the depth that Christ has paid for them. Lord, today as they look out, may they look towards the east and then the west... and know in their hearts that Your arms are held open for them. 

 In Christ Jesus' Name, Amen.

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This devotional comes from our series A Call to the Weary