APRIL 2

OUR PERSONAL PROMISES

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Lev 20:8

“You shall keep My statutes and do them. I am the Lord who sanctifies you.”

John 17:17

“ Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.”

1 Thessalonians 5:23

“Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus.”

Hebrews 13:12

“Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered outside the gate.”

1 Peter 2:9

“But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;”

Gal 4:19

“My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you,”

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Our book for this month  is called “100 NAMES OF GOD”  written by Christopher D. Hudson.  Each day we’ll take one Hebrew name for God as given in the Bible to study and relate to.

JEHOVAH QADASH

THE LORD WHO SANCTIFIES

Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘Say to the Israelites, “You must observe My sabbaths.  This will be a sign between Me and you for the generations to come, so you may know that I am the Lord, who makes you holy.’” Exodus 31:12-13

Why would a just and holy God care about the troubles of people who are simply reaping the harsh consequences of their own foolish decisions?  Why should a perfect God pay attention to the prayers of imperfect people who are reliable only in their unreliability?  Why does a sinless God give grace and multiple chances to people who repeatedly choose their own path over His?

God does these things because He is JEHOVAH QADASH, which means, “The Lord who makes holy.” This is one of the most remarkable things about God.  One might think that God, being God, would be content to sit back and bask in His glory and honor.  On the contrary, He is loving and generous.  He actually pays attention to us broken people.

This is one of the great mysteries of life.  Though sinful people do not deserve a second glance, let alone a second chance, God does not write off humanity.  Instead, God has been implementing a “holiness plan” for us that was designed even before our first ancestors sinned.  It’s a mind-boggling plan that not only makes us right with God but also makes us holy like His Son, Jesus.  God’s desire for every believer is that “Christ is formed in” them.

How can this be when we follow Christ so imperfectly?  We stumble.  We fail.  Like Thomas, we doubt if God will come through.  Like Peter, we deny Him when we get scared.  Like David, we seek our own pleasure rather than God’s heart.  Yet still, God continues – relentlessly, almost stubbornly – to love and transform us.  He is committed to see us grow into Christlikeness.

What’s the promise of the God who sanctifies?

“He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”  ~ ~ Philippians 1:6.

Why does God love you?  Why does He want to see you continue to grow in your faith?  Why does He care?  Because God loves you too much to leave you as you are.

PRAYER

Jehovah Qadash, I would never choose sanctification.  It’s too difficult a road.  But You have saved me from the penalty of sin, and You are also saving me from sin’s power. One day You will save me from the very presence of sin.  Hallelujah!  Amen.

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