“AS YOUR MERCY AND GRACE DEMANDS”

“I Will Run To You”

Your eye is on the sparrow
And Your hand it comforts me
From the ends of the earth
To the depths of my heart
Let Your mercy and strength be seen

You call me to Your purpose
As angels understand
For Your glory may You draw all men
As Your love and grace demands

And I will run to You
To Your words of truth
Not by might not by power
But by the Spirit of God
Yes I will run the race
Til’ I see Your face
Oh let me live in the glory of Your grace

And I will run to You
To Your words of truth
Not by might not by power
But by the Spirit of God
Yes I will run the race
Til’ I see Your face
Oh let me live in the glory
Oh let me live in the glory
Please let me live in the glory of Your grace
And I will run to You
And I will run to You
Yes I will run to You

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Growing up this was one of my favorite songs — still is, except for the fact that I know the right lyrics now — everybody lied about lyrics at some point right? For the past 7 weeks as we worship(I wrote this two weeks ago), we end service with this very song and God keeps taking me back to my childhood days. I share things I remember from my childhood because those memories are quite meaningful and point out how they relate to my life now. So much about the stories can be traced back to God working in my life, and sharing them, makes it evident that Jesus is real and intimately involved with us(Children).

Think back for a moment, when you were a little child. Did you ever wait at the door with excitement, just to run into your daddy’s arms when he came home from work? How badly did you want your mother to just carry you around. Feeling the warmth and safety, knowing all is well when they are with you. As little children we have a total dependence and trust in our parents, we simply believe they will do what we say. This is the exact imprint of belief God is calling us to as we develop our relationship with Jesus. He tells us numerous times in the gospels, “In order to experience me fully and completely you must become like a little child”— We are children of the Most High God.

He calls us  for this one simple reason, so we might become like little children; simple, free, trusting, dependent, risen, joyful, easy, uncomplicated, untainted and favored. He wants us to know that children live life freely from day to day. They never hold on to grudges, always forgiving (share your candy or toy with me so we make amends), living life, and open to new ideas. But now; there’s something at the back of your mind thinking about what someone said or did to you 10 years ago? Maybe you’re thinking, “I deserve better than this in life?”

Well, our lives began and end with the “Finished Work of Jesus“, in whom we have all things. That means the work on the cross covers the north, south, east, and west, nothing is left undone. We have security, simplicity, rest, satisfaction, power, trust, purity, freedom, just to name a few. This masterpiece was handcrafted and designed specifically for you to call your own, to simply receive. Childlike Faith believing we can be anything! Is your faith based on your timing and expectations? Or is it like that of a little child, where every ounce of your being stands on the finished work of Jesus Christ?

Lets take a look at the faith of one little girl, who changed the destiny of one powerful Syrian man. Naaman was the head honcho of the Syrian army. He had high favor with the king, but there was one challenge, he was a leper. Isn’t that just like us? We are in great need of our “Abba” Father(daddy). This purest form of love he richly lavished upon us, by sending forth his only son Jesus, to die on the cross, so we could experience high favor with the King all the time. Even though the Syrians did not worship our great Creator, they knew victory came from Israel’s God.

During a raid, they carried off a little girl from the land of Israel, and put her to work for Naaman’s wife. The little girl began to speak with great faith to the woman. “If my lord would be with the prophet (Elisha), he would cure him of leprosy.” A second time the same words of the little girl were now repeated to the king from Naaman. Still, a third time the same words of the little Israelite girl were repeated. And this time to Israel’s king. The news had traveled to Elisha about the great faith of the little girl. He told the king to send Naaman to him. Elisha told Naaman to wash in the Jordan 7 times. A simple, practical, childlike way of healing. “Go take a bath and you will be clean,” isn’t that just what our parents usually say to us(kids). That is just what Jesus did for us. He washed us with His purity, and made us white as snow.

Naaman didn’t like it one bit, he flared with rage! He was a powerful man. It should be a miraculous healing, right? Nope! His faithful young servants spoke to him with great faith. “My father, it is a great word the prophet has spoken to you, wash and be clean!” He finally dipped in the Jordan seven times. His whole being was restored and made new like that of a little child (2 Kings 5:1-19). How awesome is the Living God!

You know how frustrating it gets as a child — trying desperately to get your mother’s attention. Gently tugging at her cloth making her uncomfortable, calling out “Mama, Mama,” over and over again. She’ll finally stop whatever she’s doing, bend down to meet your gaze and carry you. Where am I getting with this?

Jesus is gently tugging at our hearts day and night, calling us to become like little children and — “Run to Him” as His Mercy and Grace demands.

Stay blessed!